14-in Mark VIII Torpedo (UK)

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The 14-in R.L. Mark VIII Torpedo was an early British torpedo manufactured first by the Royal Laboratory and later at the Royal Gun Factory when control of the Torpedo Factory at Woolwich was transferred. These torpedoes were now to be stamped "R.G.F" in lieu of "R.L.".[1]

Development and History

A gap in our primary source materials makes the genesis of the type difficult to state exactly, but it appears that a total 320 of them (called "Leeds torpedoes") had been ordered in 1888-9 and 1889-90 and been adjusted and accepted.[2]

Particulars

The fully charged torpedo weighed 706 pounds.[3]

Manufacture and Use

1890

294 of the newest had been adjusted in 1890 and averaged 26.0 knots in 57 degree water, requiring on average 18 runs to be accepted.[4]

230 Mark VIII torpedoes under manufacture were adjusted at the Horsea range and were making 26 knots in 59 degree water. Individual torpedoes were requiring, on average, 16 test runs to be passed.[5] Why does this not agree?

Alterations in the Mark VIIIs were retrofitted to those already made, back to number 1579, but no change in name accompanied the eleven alterations listed.[6]

Mark VIII R.L. torpedoes were compared to Mark VIII Leeds torpedoes in different water temperatures, yielding similar results with perhaps a small edge to Leeds, as the 26 knots both delivered on average was in 57 degree water for Leeds and 59 degree water for the R.L. torpedo. The R.L. torpedoes degraded from 26.4 knots in 67 degree water to 25.05 knots in 44 degree water.[7]

1891

90 Mark VIII R.G.F. torpedoes fitted for above-water fire from the previous year were adjusted and made 25.87 knots in 62 degree water. The 45 for submerged fire made 24.18 knots in 58 degree water. There were no further orders for 14-in torpedoes.[8]

50 Mark VIII torpedoes from Greenwood and Batley were ordered, and were to be completed by the next running season, indicating an increased capacity at G. & B. from the 20/year yield previously possible.[9]

1894

100 of the torpedoes with new three-bladed propellors passed testing in 1894, 50 with a stop guard and 50 with rounded horizontal fins to pass through nets.[10]

Testing of the new 14-in Mark IX torpedo showed it to have tremendous advantages over the Mark VIII, particularly in speed and depth keeping. The Mark VIII appeared to be entering obsolescence.[11]

1896

An extensive report on torpedoes being adjusted at the test ranges shows the Mark VIII is still in use in 1896.[12]

Mark VIII at Horsea, average speeds to 600 yards:

  • nine R.G.F. torpedoes averaged 25.82 knots in 57.8° water.
  • twenty-one R.L. torpedoes averaged 25.49 knots in 56.1° water.
  • thirty-eight G&B torpedoes averaged 24.78 knots in 47° water.

Repaired Mark VIII at Horsea, average speeds to 600 yards:

  • thirty-three R.L. torpedoes averaged 25.26 knots in 50.5° water.
  • four R.L. torpedoes with Hook Brackets averaged 24.19 knots in 40.75° water.
  • twenty-two G&B torpedoes averaged 25.09 knots in 52.5° water.

Mark VIII at Plymouth, average speeds to 600 yards:

  • seven R.L. torpedoes averaged 26.15 knots in 56° water.
  • five R.G.F. torpedoes averaged 26.1 knots in 48° water.
  • four G&B torpedoes were run for direction only in 46° water.
  • thirteen G&B torpedoes averaged 25.53 knots in 54° water.

1911

The torpedoes were obsoleted in 1911.[13]

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.[14]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1890. p. 19.
  2. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1890. p. 22.
  3. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1894. p. 53.
  4. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1890. p. 19.
  5. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1890. p. 19.
  6. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1890. p. 19.
  7. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1890. p. 38.
  8. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1891. p. 23.
  9. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1891. p. 23.
  10. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1894. p. 56.
  11. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1894. pp. 51-3.
  12. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1896. pp. 42-44.
  13. ↑ Addenda (1911) to Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. p. 3.
  14. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1919. p. 11.

Bibliography

See Also

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