GB388368A - Improvements in and relating to the above-water torpedo armament of surface war-ships - Google Patents

Abstract

388,368. Launching torpedoes. CHAMPNESS, E. L., Dilston House, Corbridge, Northumberland. July 21, 1931, No. 20837. [Class 9 (ii).] Torpedo carriers movable athwartship are provided on the deck of a surface ship to load one or more torpedo tubes thereon. As shown, the carriers c, Fig. 1, each comprise semicircular rings c<1>, Figs. 2 and 3, connected by rods c<2> and axles h fitted with wheels h<1> running on rails d<1> on a frame j mounted on the deck. These carriers can be moved by a strop and wire led around fairleads v, and when a carrier is brought to the loading position in line with the torpedo tube, it rests on a bogie e fitted with rails d<2> in line with the rails d, which truck e is itself provided with wheels q<1> running on rails f in the fore and aft direction on a frame r on the deck. The bogie e can be hauled by a wire from a winch w to load the torpedo into the tube. Two tubes a<1>, a<2> are shown separately mounted so as to be turned fore and aft for loading and athwart for launching and for each tube there is a set of three carriers c and a davit g for embarking the torpedoes. This loading apparatus may be enclosed by steel screens s and canvas screens t, and may be covered by a platform. The bogies e may be replaced by overhead loading rails. The two tubes may be rotatably mounted together pointing in opposite directions.