14-in Mark VI Torpedo (UK)

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The 14-in R.L. Mark VI Torpedo was an early British torpedo manufactured by the Royal Laboratory at Woolwich.

Development and History

The genesis and specifics of this torpedo family is a little mysterious, owing to a gap in our primary source documents.

1890

Conversion of these torpedoes to some new standard had completed the conversion of 118 of them and that a good many of these had been sent to Malta's test range for adjustment.[1]

1891

Conversions of R.L. Mark VI continued, with 146 completed thus far.[2]

1896

An extensive report on torpedoes being adjusted at the test ranges shows the Mark VI* is still in use in 1896.[3]

At Horsea, average speeds to 600 yards:

  • six R.L. torpedoes averaged 25.05 knots in 62.2 degree water.

Repaired torpedoes at Horsea, average speeds to 600 yards:

  • nine R.L. torpedoes averaged 23.92 knots in 41.7 degree water.

At Plymouth, average speeds to 600 yards:

  • two R.L. torpedoes averaged 24.48 knots in 60 degree water.

1919

In 1919, it was approved to break up all 14-in torpedoes except for a reserve of fifty each of 14-in Mark X* torpedo and 14-in Mark XI torpedo.[4]

Footnotes

  1. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1890. p. 22.
  2. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1891. p. 23.
  3. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1896. pp. 42-44.
  4. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1919. p. 11.

Bibliography

See Also