Difference between revisions of "14-in Mark X Torpedo (UK)"

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The '''14-in Mark X Torpedo''' was a British torpedo manufactured by the [[Royal Gun Factory]] at Woolwich.
 
The '''14-in Mark X Torpedo''' was a British torpedo manufactured by the [[Royal Gun Factory]] at Woolwich.
  
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It was introduced into service production in 1898, building upon its very successful [[14-in R.G.F. Mark IX Torpedo|Mark IX predecessor]].{{ARTS1898|pp. vi-vii}}
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It was introduced into service production in 1898, building upon its very successful [[14-in Mark IX Torpedo (UK)|Mark IX predecessor]].{{ARTS1898|pp. vi-vii}}
  
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It and the [[14-in Weymouth Mark I Torpedo|14-in Weymouth Mark I]] and a portion of the [[18-in R.G.F. Mark IV Torpedo]]es ordered in 1898 would be among the first to employ gyroscopes.
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It and the [[14-in Weymouth Mark I Torpedo|14-in Weymouth Mark I]] and a portion of the {{Torp|18-in Mark IV|UK}}es ordered in 1898 would be among the first to employ gyroscopes.
  
 
==Development and History==
 
==Development and History==
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Discussions of what to incorporate in the successor design to the {{Torp|14-in Mark IX|UK}} began in 1896.  Nine improvements were considered desireable, including an increase of 5 cubic feet in the air vessel, a possible move to four-bladed propellors, a range of 800 yards and a more neutral trim when fully charged.{{ARTS1896|p. 28}}
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It was referred to the "E" Design of several candidates covered in the ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School. 1897'' which sought to discover the best combination of components.{{ARTS1898|p. 19}}
 
It was referred to the "E" Design of several candidates covered in the ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School. 1897'' which sought to discover the best combination of components.{{ARTS1898|p. 19}}
  
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===Mark X*===
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==Mark X==
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Introduced in 1902.{{FC}}
 
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The design was submitted and agreed to after changes were applied in December 1891.  An overarching goal of the design was to incorporate lessons taken from manufacture of the new 178-in models.  The body shape was the same as in the [[14-in R.G.F. Mark VIII Torpedo|Mark VIII model]], but the tail fins were to be like those of the new 18-in long R.G.F. model which could better pass through nets.  Overall, its design was described as being different in 10 points from the Mark VIII's, and a pound lighter when charged (705 versus 706 pounds).{{ARTS1892|pp. 20-21}}
 
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The Admiralty stressed there was no hurry to have this new torpedo, as the coming year's small order could just be more of the Mark VIII design.  They also asked that the idea of enlarging the warhead by fitting a bluffer head be considered, as these were proving the better shape anyway.  It was understood that this might increase weight to about 750 pounds.{{ARTS1892|p. 22}} 
 
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They provided sketches of a model with these features with a warhead of 112 pounds.  Order and manufacture of two articles was made in 1892.{{ARTS1892|pp. 20-24}}
 
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At the end of 1895, they were just ready to come into service. 
 
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===Particulars===
 
 
The final design is laid out in the ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898''.{{ARTS1898|pp. 19-20}}
 
The final design is laid out in the ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898''.{{ARTS1898|pp. 19-20}}
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The weak engine room and after-body joint of the Mark IX had been remedied in this design.  The Weymouth pattern gyros were found to work nicely with them.  They made 30 knots to 600 yards and 27.5 knots to 750 yards.  Its 15 foot 6 inch length made it unsuitable for existing above-water tubes, but submerged tubes were still able to accommodate it.
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The diameter was precisely 14 inches, but the spec allowed 14.015 inches, uncharged, as a maximum.  It carried a charge of 79 pounds dry guncotton, 90 when wetted.
 
  
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With pistol but without air: weight 696 pounds, metacentric height 0.5 inches and C.G. 99.52 inches from end of screw shaft.  When charged with 28.5 pounds of air, C.G. is 100.43 inches from end of screw shaft.  The pistol projected 4.35 inches with a left-handed fan which was 5 inches tip-to-tip.  The warhead was cissoid shaped, 26.1 inches long, of sheet phosphor bronze, and weighed 122 pounds with its 90 pound wet guncotton charge.  An exercise head of the same shape, weight and metacentric height of 0.7 inches.  It could receive the same Holmes light as the R.G.F. Mark VIII weapons.
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By 1915, at least, the air vessel was able to hold 1,600 psi, allowing a speed of 24 knots to 1,000 yards.{{ARTS1915|p. 31}}
  
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Uncharged with pistol, it had a buoyancy of 11 pounds in fresh water.  When charged with 28.5 pounds of air with pistol, it was ballasted and adjusted to float horizontally and upright in salt water at a density of 1.026, at 60 degrees F.
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==Mark X*==
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Introduced in 1902.{{FC}}
  
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The engines 40.884 H.P., delivering 1006 R.P.M. over a 600 yard run. The top fin was 0.148 inches thick, the bottom 0.18 and the sides 0.155.  The two steel three-bladed propellors had increasing pitch, mean pitch of 36 inches.
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By 1915, at least, the air vessel was able to hold 2,000 psi, allowing a speed of 27.5 knots to 1,000 yards.{{ARTS1915|p. 31}}
  
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The proof and passing tests were six runs  when charged to 1,350 psi:
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==Manufacture and Use==
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* two runs from a submerged frame at target 600 yards distant
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===1898===
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* two runs from an A.W. tube at least four feet above the water at a target 300 yards away
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Fifty are ordered and are under manufacture at Woolwich.{{ARTS1898|p. 19}}
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* one run above water at target 600 yards away
 
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* one run from submerged frame at target 600 yards away
 
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The limits of deviation permitted were:
 
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* lateral deviation from the submerged frame must be less than 9 yards either way throughout run
 
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* from A.W. tube, lateral deviation of 6 yards at 300 yards or 18 yards at 600 yards
 
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* deviation from set depth not to exceed +/- 18 inches
 
  
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The speeds required were:
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===1916===
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* not less than 27 knots in 60 degrees and warmer
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In 1916, it was decided that the warhead of 14-inch torpedoes should be filled with Amatol.  The Mark X and X* were to have 115 pounds of this explosive.{{ARTS1916|p. 47}}
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* not less than 26.5 knots in 50-60 degrees
 
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* at least 26 knots in water colder than 50 degrees
 
  
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Endurance was tested in just one torpedo in a batch of twenty, after passing the above tests:
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===1918===
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# make six short runs from above water gun 10 feet or more above water
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120 of 421 remaining Mark Xs and 20 of 85 remaining Mark X*s were broken up in 1918.{{ARTS1918|p. 10. (G. 8472/18)}}
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# be fired from submerged frame and pass within 10 yards of target at 600 yards
 
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# it must then "shew no signs of weakness or distortion"
 
  
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Lastly, one torpedo of every ten was to be tested for interchangeability.
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===1919===
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In 1919, it was approved to maintain a reserve of fifty Mark X* and fifty 14-in Mark XI torpedoes and to break up all other 14-in torpedoes.{{ARTS1919|p. 11}}
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==Manufacture and Use==
 
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===1896===
 
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Horsea adjusted the first 69 torpedoes in 1896.  They averaged 27.21 knots at 600 yards in 44.7 degree water.{{ARTS1896|pp. 42}}
 
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Whitehead-made specimens were passed at Weymouth in three groups, delivering the following average speeds to 600 yards:{{ARTS1896|p. 43}}
 
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* thirty-six torpedoes averaged 27.55 knots in 52.3 degree water.
 
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* thirteen torpedoes averaged 27.90 knots in 57.7 degree water.
 
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* twelve torpedoes averaged 27.31 knots in 48.6 degree water.
 
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===1898===
 
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Fifty are ordered and are under manufacture at Woolwich.{{ARTS1898|p. 19}}
 
  
 
==Footnotes==
 
==Footnotes==

Latest revision as of 16:30, 7 February 2015

The 14-in Mark X Torpedo was a British torpedo manufactured by the Royal Gun Factory at Woolwich.

It was introduced into service production in 1898, building upon its very successful Mark IX predecessor.[1]

It and the 14-in Weymouth Mark I and a portion of the 18-in Mark IV torpedoes ordered in 1898 would be among the first to employ gyroscopes.

Development and History

Discussions of what to incorporate in the successor design to the 14-in Mark IX torpedo began in 1896. Nine improvements were considered desireable, including an increase of 5 cubic feet in the air vessel, a possible move to four-bladed propellors, a range of 800 yards and a more neutral trim when fully charged.[2]

It was referred to the "E" Design of several candidates covered in the Annual Report of the Torpedo School. 1897 which sought to discover the best combination of components.[3]

Mark X

The final design is laid out in the Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898.[4] The weak engine room and after-body joint of the Mark IX had been remedied in this design. The Weymouth pattern gyros were found to work nicely with them. They made 30 knots to 600 yards and 27.5 knots to 750 yards. Its 15 foot 6 inch length made it unsuitable for existing above-water tubes, but submerged tubes were still able to accommodate it.

By 1915, at least, the air vessel was able to hold 1,600 psi, allowing a speed of 24 knots to 1,000 yards.[5]

Mark X*

Introduced in 1902.[Fact Check]

By 1915, at least, the air vessel was able to hold 2,000 psi, allowing a speed of 27.5 knots to 1,000 yards.[6]

Manufacture and Use

1898

Fifty are ordered and are under manufacture at Woolwich.[7]

1916

In 1916, it was decided that the warhead of 14-inch torpedoes should be filled with Amatol. The Mark X and X* were to have 115 pounds of this explosive.[8]

1918

120 of 421 remaining Mark Xs and 20 of 85 remaining Mark X*s were broken up in 1918.[9]

1919

In 1919, it was approved to maintain a reserve of fifty Mark X* and fifty 14-in Mark XI torpedoes and to break up all other 14-in torpedoes.[10]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898. pp. vi-vii.
  2. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1896. p. 28.
  3. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898. p. 19.
  4. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898. pp. 19-20.
  5. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1915. p. 31.
  6. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1915. p. 31.
  7. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898. p. 19.
  8. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 47.
  9. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918. p. 10. (G. 8472/18).
  10. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1919. p. 11.

Bibliography

See Also

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