18-in Weymouth Mark I Torpedo
The 18-in Weymouth Mark I Torpedo was a heater torpedo built by Whitehead and ordered in small quantity in 1908-09.[3]
Development and History
In 1908-09, twenty S.L. units were ordered.[4]
In 1909, these twenty were returned to Whitehead for "radical alterations in the engines", as they had been found not to be strong enough.[5] By 1910, the re-engined weapons were passing their range tests nicely.[6]
In 1919, it was approved to break up all 18-in Weymouth and Fiume torpedoes.[7]
Mark I
The warhead contained 161.75 pounds dry guncotton which weighed 198 pounds with 22.5 parts moisture.[8]
Its overall length including 4.5-in long pistol was 17 feet, 6 inches (see Plate).[9]
Mark I*
34 of these were ordered from Whitehead in 1913-14, and by November 1913, 9 had been delivered.[11] The details are contained in Torpedo Orders 48 and 66 of July and September, 1913. They could to 39.5-40.5 knots to 1,500 yards and 28.5-29.5 knots to 4,000 yards. Whitehead actually tested them only to 1,500 yards on long range, requiring them to retain 650-750 pounds pressure and have used 18-20 ounces of fuel. A sampling of the weapons were run to 4,000 yards in Portland harbour from a hired steamer.[12]
Footnotes
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. Plate 2.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1908. Plate 12.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1908. p. 7.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1908. p. 7.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. p. 13.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1910. p. v.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1919. p. 11.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1908. p. 10.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1908. p. 18.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1913. Plate 1.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1913. p. 8.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1913. p. 11-12.
Bibliography
See Also
