The Whitehead Torpedo.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 11, 17 April 1885, Page 2

The Whitehead Torpedo.

We hare heard a good deal lately about this weapon of war ; but" as few people know exactly what it is, we reprint following description of it, giveu by His Excellency the Governor iv his lecture on our defences: — "The Whitehead or 'fish' torpedo is an uncontrollable weapon, ie , after it is projected from the bow or side of a vessel it cannot be controlled or directed by will of aa operator. It is mude of various sizes, ranging from 14ft long and 14in maximum diameter to 19ft long by 1(5 maximum diameter. The larger size carries a charge of 801bs of gunootton at its bow. Its motive p#Wer is compressed air, which,. b^meanis. of small engiues, drive twdv^SHr^wK propellers. It i 8 capable of beih|r adjusted by means of certain mechanical apparatus, to a certain depth, and when launched will go at a rate of about twenty-five knots an hour or more for several hundred yards. Prop v erlsfto übo the Whitehead torpedo, however, an expert's knowledge and spec'al training is required. In words used by Admiral Boys, once Naval direotor of Ordnance to make ita success yon must 'love it.' It has only been tried as yet— so far as lam aware— on three occasions m actual warfare, but on one of these it was perfectly successful. This was m 1878 when a Russian steamer tired a Whitehead torpedo against a Turkish vessel off Batoum and destroyed her, I may mention that the Government of Austria and Great Britain each gave Mr Whitehead something like £20,000 for the use of his torpedo, and that nearly all the other European Governments have since purchased the secret. The Turks, " however picked up two of these torpedoes whioh they found on the shore after having been unsuccessfully fired at their ships, and so obtained the use of the weapon without paying for it.**