Difference between revisions of "Torpedo Control Disc"

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==Mark II==
 
==Mark II==
  
These discs were supplied by the end of 1917.  The table below indicates which were etched for the Extended Range "E.R." or the new "Medium" range speed setting for each torpedo.
+
These seem to have supported enemy speeds of up to 28 knots.<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', p. 163, points (<i>c & d</i>)</ref>
 +
 
 +
These discs were supplied by mid 1918.   
 +
 
 +
The table below indicates which were etched for the Extended Range "E.R." or the new "Medium" range speed setting for each torpedo.
  
  
 
{| border="1"  
 
{| border="1"  
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan=6| '''Torpedo Control Discs Mark II Supplied by end of 1917'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917'', pp. 194-195.</ref>
+
! colspan=6| '''Torpedo Control Discs Mark II Supplied by mid-1918'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917'', pp. 194-195.</ref>
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''Stamp No.'''  
 
|'''Stamp No.'''  
Line 22: Line 26:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|T. 135  
 
|T. 135  
| 21-in II &mdash; II**** E.R. 3  
+
| 21-in II-II**** E.R. 3  
 
| Destroyer Depot Ships  
 
| Destroyer Depot Ships  
 
| 1 for every 4 T.B.D.s attached
 
| 1 for every 4 T.B.D.s attached
Line 98: Line 102:
 
| No
 
| No
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
 +
{| border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan=6| '''Torpedo Control Discs Mark II Supplied by mid-1919'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', p. 162.</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|'''Stamp No.'''
 +
| '''for Torpedo Mark'''
 +
| '''Notes'''
 +
|-
 +
|T. 211
 +
| 21-in II-II*****
 +
| 35 knot, 6,000 yard
 +
|}
 +
 +
 +
==Mark II*==
 +
 +
[[File:ARTS1918Plate116.jpg|thumb|400px| '''Torpedo Control Disc Mark II*'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', Plate 116.</ref>]]
 +
 +
By 1918 or so, because so many variations of Mark II disc available, and the Mark IV* torpedoes now had four speed settings, a new, universal design was desired to reduce the number of discs needed in service.
 +
 +
It was to be a model similar to the T.C.D. Mark II  supporting "Xylonite" discs 7.2 inches in diameter and 0.1 inches thick that could be slipped into the device which would bear the markings.  A small index hole in this slip-in disc was engaged by a pin brought in by a leaf spring on the back of the frame to lock it into position.  The Xlyonite disc was double-sided, so the four-speed torpedoes only required 2 slip-in discs, and the unused one kept safe in a leather wallet in the storage box (which stored 2 T.C.D.s). 
 +
 +
The speed of enemy was increased to 35 knots as a precaution against faster enemies, which required the deflection lines to be 0.1 inch apart rather than 0.125 inches apart on the Mark II devices. 
 +
 +
The markings were coloured on a white background for easy viewing, and  the markings were cleaned up and slightly reworked so that enemy inclination was read off his head, and that inclination and deflection to left or right would be on the stated side of the device rather than reversed.  The extreme firing range circles were graduated on both sides of the centre line so that one range graduation on each circle would always be visible.<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', p. 163.</ref>
 +
 +
 +
{| border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan=6| '''Slip-in Discs for T.C.D. Mark II* in mid-1919'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', p. 164.</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| align=center|'''Stamp No.'''
 +
| align=center|'''for Torpedo Mark'''
 +
| align=center|'''Speed, Endurance'''<br><small>side 1</small>
 +
| align=center|'''Speed, Endurance'''<br><small>side 2</small>
 +
|-
 +
| T. 196
 +
| rowspan=2|21-in IV*
 +
| 25 knots, 15,000 yards
 +
| 29 knots, 11,000 yards
 +
|-
 +
|T. 197
 +
| 21 knot, 18,000 yards
 +
| 35 knot, 6,000 yards
 +
|-
 +
|T. 209
 +
| 21-in Mark V
 +
| 29 knot, 15,000 yards
 +
| 35 knot, 10,000 yards
 +
|}
 +
 +
 +
{| border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan=2| '''Other Parts for T.C.D. Mark II*'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', p. 164.</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|'''Stamp No.'''
 +
| '''Component
 +
|-
 +
|T. 172
 +
| wooden handle for the back face
 +
|-
 +
|T. 167
 +
| pin the for spanners
 +
|-
 +
|T. 203
 +
| base plate with distance piece and gradauted ring
 +
|-
 +
|T. 167
 +
| storage box
 +
|}
 +
  
 
==Mark III==
 
==Mark III==
Line 103: Line 181:
 
{| border="1"  
 
{| border="1"  
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan=6 |''''Torpedo Control Discs Mark III Supplied by end of 1917'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917'', pp. 194-195.</ref>
+
! colspan=6 |''''Torpedo Control Discs Mark III Supplied by mid-1918'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917'', pp. 194-195.</ref>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Stamp No.'''
 
| '''Stamp No.'''
Line 149: Line 227:
  
  
{{TBC}} {{TONE}}
+
 
 +
{| border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan=6| '''Torpedo Control Discs Mark III Supplied by mid-1919'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', p. 162.</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|'''Stamp No.'''
 +
| '''for Torpedo Mark'''
 +
| '''Notes'''
 +
|-
 +
|T. 205
 +
| 21-in IV*
 +
| 29/35 knot, double disc
 +
|-
 +
|T. 212
 +
| 21-in II-II*****
 +
| 35 knot, 6,000 yards
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Mark III*==
 +
 
 +
Similar to the Mark II/II*, the Mark III received a make-over in response to proposals from ''Resolution'':
 +
* a separate man with binoculars should just inclination, as the ranges are too great to do this
 +
* the Mark III was deemed to small to read easily.  A 10 inch diameter would be better
 +
* the disc had 2 speed settings now, and this is hard to read, especially when inclinations were not near 90 degrees
 +
* deflection should be marked in single knots, not every 4 knots as now
 +
* the "cyphers" showing thousands of yards are not needed.<ref>I am guessing this means "10,000" rather than "10".  ''Vernon'' disagreed with this suggestion, as they felt confusion of range and deflection might result.</ref>
 +
* the ranges should be written 3 times along the longer curves
 +
* coloured lines on the enemy bar to facilitate use of [[Bell's Station Keeper]] should be omitted
 +
* the arrow of the "Bearing of enemy" line should be continued to the outer edge of the disc so the bearing can be set accurately
 +
* the pieces securing the enemy bar should be made of brass
 +
* black curves might be added for alternative settings so that a different speed setting might be decided upon
 +
 
 +
These suggestions were taken into account in delivering a new design that also increased the enemy speed limit to 35 knots and added the use of the Xylonite slip-in discs as used in the Mark II* sight. This design was submitted to C-in-C, Grand Fleet and elicited this supplemental list of features from the [[Fleet Torpedo Committee]]:
 +
* the binoculars for judging enemy inclination should be used by a separate man, and not fitted to the device in any manner
 +
* the largest possible transparent window should be added to the enemy bar to help read the disc
 +
* limiting enemy speed to 30 knots rather than 35 would permit better spacing of lines
 +
* discs should be engraved with curves showing when possible shot range is the same for different torpedo settings
 +
* discs should be as light as possible, usable by hand or when shipped in a socket
 +
* the "upper part of the circle corresponding to the setting in use should be graduated in degrees for reading off the director angle."
 +
 
 +
The advice was taken together with a few final graphical improvements to create the Mark III* design.  The Fleet Torpedo Committee's report had specified that brass should be used, but this would weigh 14 pounds.  Duralumin was chosen as having sufficient resistance to corrosion if cared for with varnish and oil, and the device would weigh 4.25 pounds.  The devices were to be kept oiled and boxed when not in use in order to ensure they lasted more than 3 years.
 +
 
 +
it was proposed in mid 1919 that these be allocated:<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', p. 165.</ref>
 +
* one to each battleship, battlecruiser and cruiser for use in primary control position
 +
* four to ''Eagle''
 +
* six to each of the ''Admiral'' class
 +
* one to ''Defiance'' and "Actaeon'' and two to ''Vernon'' for instruction
 +
 
 +
{| border="1"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan=6| '''Slip-in Discs for T.C.D. Mark III* in mid-1919'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', p. 164.</ref>
 +
|-
 +
| align=center|'''for Torpedo Mark'''
 +
| align=center|'''Speed, Endurance'''<br><small>side 1</small>
 +
| align=center|'''Speed, Endurance'''<br><small>side 2</small>
 +
|-
 +
| 21-in Mark II-II***
 +
| 18 knots, 18,000 yards
 +
| 23 knots, 15,000 yards
 +
|-
 +
| 21-in Mark II****
 +
| 19 knots, 18,000 yards
 +
| 24 knots, 15,000 yards
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan=2|21-in Mark IV-IV*
 +
| 25 knots, 15,000 yards
 +
| 29 knots, 11,000 yards
 +
|-
 +
| 21 knots, 18,000 yards
 +
| 35 knots, 6,000 yards
 +
|-
 +
| 21-in Mark V
 +
| 29 knots, 15,000 yards
 +
| 35 knots, 10,000 yards
 +
|}
 +
 
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
Line 160: Line 314:
 
*{{BibUKHandbookOfTorpedoControl1916}}
 
*{{BibUKHandbookOfTorpedoControl1916}}
 
*{{BibUKARTS1917}}
 
*{{BibUKARTS1917}}
 +
*{{BibUKARTS1918}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  

Revision as of 17:15, 9 March 2011

A Torpedo Control DIsc was a compact torpedo-control instrument helpful in solving many torpedo-related problems.

The term is probably a generic one, but the British used it refer to a specific series of instruments identified by Mark.

Mark I

Mark II

These seem to have supported enemy speeds of up to 28 knots.[1]

These discs were supplied by mid 1918.

The table below indicates which were etched for the Extended Range "E.R." or the new "Medium" range speed setting for each torpedo.


Torpedo Control Discs Mark II Supplied by mid-1918[2]
Stamp No. for Torpedo Mark Ship Number Supplied Medium? E.R.?
T. 135 21-in II-II**** E.R. 3 Destroyer Depot Ships 1 for every 4 T.B.D.s attached Yes No
T. 136 21-in II***** & IV Destroyer Depot Ships 1 for every 4 T.B.D.s attached Yes No
T. 132 21-in II-II**** Destroyers 2 per ship Yes No
T. 135 21-in II-II**** E.R. 3 Destroyers 2 per ship Yes No
T. 136 21-in II***** & IV Destroyers 2 per ship Yes No
T. 138 21-in I-I* Destroyers 2 per ship Yes No
T. 139 18-in VII-VII**** Cruisers, Light Cruisers, and Destroyers 2 per ship Yes No
T. 140 18-in VII**-VIIIIII E.R. 3 Cruisers, Light Cruisers, and Destroyers 2 per ship No Yes
T. 151 21-in II-II**** E.R. 3 Light Cruisers 2 per ship Yes Yes
T. 152 21-in II***** & IV Light Cruisers 2 per ship Yes Yes
T. 139 18-in VII-VII**** K class submarines 1 per sub Yes No


Torpedo Control Discs Mark II Supplied by mid-1919[3]
Stamp No. for Torpedo Mark Notes
T. 211 21-in II-II***** 35 knot, 6,000 yard


Mark II*

Torpedo Control Disc Mark II*[4]

By 1918 or so, because so many variations of Mark II disc available, and the Mark IV* torpedoes now had four speed settings, a new, universal design was desired to reduce the number of discs needed in service.

It was to be a model similar to the T.C.D. Mark II supporting "Xylonite" discs 7.2 inches in diameter and 0.1 inches thick that could be slipped into the device which would bear the markings. A small index hole in this slip-in disc was engaged by a pin brought in by a leaf spring on the back of the frame to lock it into position. The Xlyonite disc was double-sided, so the four-speed torpedoes only required 2 slip-in discs, and the unused one kept safe in a leather wallet in the storage box (which stored 2 T.C.D.s).

The speed of enemy was increased to 35 knots as a precaution against faster enemies, which required the deflection lines to be 0.1 inch apart rather than 0.125 inches apart on the Mark II devices.

The markings were coloured on a white background for easy viewing, and the markings were cleaned up and slightly reworked so that enemy inclination was read off his head, and that inclination and deflection to left or right would be on the stated side of the device rather than reversed. The extreme firing range circles were graduated on both sides of the centre line so that one range graduation on each circle would always be visible.[5]


Slip-in Discs for T.C.D. Mark II* in mid-1919[6]
Stamp No. for Torpedo Mark Speed, Endurance
side 1
Speed, Endurance
side 2
T. 196 21-in IV* 25 knots, 15,000 yards 29 knots, 11,000 yards
T. 197 21 knot, 18,000 yards 35 knot, 6,000 yards
T. 209 21-in Mark V 29 knot, 15,000 yards 35 knot, 10,000 yards


Other Parts for T.C.D. Mark II*[7]
Stamp No. Component
T. 172 wooden handle for the back face
T. 167 pin the for spanners
T. 203 base plate with distance piece and gradauted ring
T. 167 storage box


Mark III

'Torpedo Control Discs Mark III Supplied by mid-1918[8]
Stamp No. for Torpedo Mark Ship Number Supplied Medium? E.R.?
T. 141 21-in II-II**** E.R. 3 Battleships and Battlecruisers 2 per ship Yes Yes
T. 142 21-in II***** & IV Battleships and Battlecruisers 2 per ship Yes Yes
T. 143 21-in Weymouth Agincourt and Erin 2 per ship Yes No
T. 144 18-in VI**-VII***** E.R. 3 Battleships and Battlecruisers 2 per ship No Yes
T. 145 18-in VII** H - VI**** H Battleships and Battlecruisers 2 per ship Yes No


Torpedo Control Discs Mark III Supplied by mid-1919[9]
Stamp No. for Torpedo Mark Notes
T. 205 21-in IV* 29/35 knot, double disc
T. 212 21-in II-II***** 35 knot, 6,000 yards


Mark III*

Similar to the Mark II/II*, the Mark III received a make-over in response to proposals from Resolution:

  • a separate man with binoculars should just inclination, as the ranges are too great to do this
  • the Mark III was deemed to small to read easily. A 10 inch diameter would be better
  • the disc had 2 speed settings now, and this is hard to read, especially when inclinations were not near 90 degrees
  • deflection should be marked in single knots, not every 4 knots as now
  • the "cyphers" showing thousands of yards are not needed.[10]
  • the ranges should be written 3 times along the longer curves
  • coloured lines on the enemy bar to facilitate use of Bell's Station Keeper should be omitted
  • the arrow of the "Bearing of enemy" line should be continued to the outer edge of the disc so the bearing can be set accurately
  • the pieces securing the enemy bar should be made of brass
  • black curves might be added for alternative settings so that a different speed setting might be decided upon

These suggestions were taken into account in delivering a new design that also increased the enemy speed limit to 35 knots and added the use of the Xylonite slip-in discs as used in the Mark II* sight. This design was submitted to C-in-C, Grand Fleet and elicited this supplemental list of features from the Fleet Torpedo Committee:

  • the binoculars for judging enemy inclination should be used by a separate man, and not fitted to the device in any manner
  • the largest possible transparent window should be added to the enemy bar to help read the disc
  • limiting enemy speed to 30 knots rather than 35 would permit better spacing of lines
  • discs should be engraved with curves showing when possible shot range is the same for different torpedo settings
  • discs should be as light as possible, usable by hand or when shipped in a socket
  • the "upper part of the circle corresponding to the setting in use should be graduated in degrees for reading off the director angle."

The advice was taken together with a few final graphical improvements to create the Mark III* design. The Fleet Torpedo Committee's report had specified that brass should be used, but this would weigh 14 pounds. Duralumin was chosen as having sufficient resistance to corrosion if cared for with varnish and oil, and the device would weigh 4.25 pounds. The devices were to be kept oiled and boxed when not in use in order to ensure they lasted more than 3 years.

it was proposed in mid 1919 that these be allocated:[11]

  • one to each battleship, battlecruiser and cruiser for use in primary control position
  • four to Eagle
  • six to each of the Admiral class
  • one to Defiance and "Actaeon and two to Vernon for instruction
Slip-in Discs for T.C.D. Mark III* in mid-1919[12]
for Torpedo Mark Speed, Endurance
side 1
Speed, Endurance
side 2
21-in Mark II-II*** 18 knots, 18,000 yards 23 knots, 15,000 yards
21-in Mark II**** 19 knots, 18,000 yards 24 knots, 15,000 yards
21-in Mark IV-IV* 25 knots, 15,000 yards 29 knots, 11,000 yards
21 knots, 18,000 yards 35 knots, 6,000 yards
21-in Mark V 29 knots, 15,000 yards 35 knots, 10,000 yards


See Also

Footnotes

  1. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 163, points (c & d)
  2. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917, pp. 194-195.
  3. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 162.
  4. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, Plate 116.
  5. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 163.
  6. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 164.
  7. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 164.
  8. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917, pp. 194-195.
  9. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 162.
  10. I am guessing this means "10,000" rather than "10". Vernon disagreed with this suggestion, as they felt confusion of range and deflection might result.
  11. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 165.
  12. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 164.

Bibliography