473,062. Launching torpedoes. WHITE & CO., Ltd., J. S., HAMPDEN, G. C. E., and CAREY, H. C. March 5, 1936, Nos. 6668 and 25939. [Class 9 (ii)] [Also in Group XXXIII] Relates to torpedo discharge gear for use in high speed vessels, such as coastal motor boats. in which the torpedo is launched tail-first over the stern whilst the vessel is travelling at speed. The invention consists in the combination with a structure of the stern of the vessel and means for supporting a torpedo in a substantially horizontal position, in which position it can be retained or into which position it can be moved for discharge, the torpedo when in this position, by reason of the said structure of the stern of the vessel, being throughout its length directly above the surface of the water and thus clear of the vessel's stern, of means for releasing the torpedo so that it can drop from the said position directly into the water while remaining horizontal or nearly horizontal, the torpedo, at the moment of release, having as nearly as practicable the same speed in the forward direction as the vessel itself. Figs. 1 and 2 show a vessel constructed so as to carrv in the stern two torpedoes A, the main hull B of the vessel terminating aft in a flat end or transom B<1> and having lateral portions B<2> with flat ends B<3> carried appreciably farther aft beyond this end portion. Each torpedo normally lies in a trough C formed in the after portion of the hull, the two troughs being divided by a central piece C<1> which is extended aft as shown so as to form two parallel openings C<2> open to the water. Fig. 6 shows a modified construction of vessel in which the bottom of each trough C terminates at a point some distance forward of the transom B<1> owing to the formation. in the vessel's stern of two deep notches B<4>, each of which constitutes, in effect, a well-like space at the after part of the associated trough. Each torpedo is adapted to be moved from its inboard position in the trough C into its discharge position over the opening C' by suspending it by means of a carrier G from a girder member D supported in a central position over the associated trough C and opening C<2> by a series of transverse bridge members F, Fig. 10. Each bridge piece is constituted by two substantially similar arms, one of which is hinged at F<3> in a socket F<1> whilst the other is secured in a socket F<2> by a bolt F<4> which can be readily withdrawn so as to allow the girder to be swung about the pivots F<3> to permit a torpedo to be placed in the trough. Each girder member D is in the form of an open-bottomed box, Fig. 11, provided with inwardly directed flanges D<3> to form a central longitudinal opening D<2>. Channel members D<4> fixed along the side of the box are adapted to receive rollers G<1> on the carrier G which is provided with two lugs G<6> spaced apart in the fore and aft direction and extending downwardly through the opening D<2>. A bolt H<1> passing through the lower ends of the lugs G<6> forms a pivot for the two members H of a scissor-like clamp, the lower jaws H<2> of which engage a lug A<2> on the torpedo whilst its upper ends H<3> are hook-shaped and are provided with steel balls H<4> adapted to bear against guide rails G<2>, G<3> carried by the flanges D' of the girder member. These rails are arranged as shown in Fig. 13, the balls H<4> bearing against the inner surfaces of the rails G<2> so as to keep the jaws H<2> closed during the initial outward movement of the torpedo but running on the outer surfaces of the inclined rails G<3> so as to open the jaws and release the torpedo when the latter reaches its discharge position. The forward end of the upper part of the carrier G is formed with an extension J, Fig. 14, having a flat face J<1> and two lateral bevelled lugs J<2> which are adapted to be engaged by hooks K<1> on the ends of a pair of levers K pivoted at K<2> to the girder D. Mounted above the inboard end of each trough C is a ram L adapted to act on the upper part of the carrier G and moving in a cylinder L<1> operated pneumatically, hydraulically or by an explosive charge. A buffer device arranged between the ram and carrier consists of telescopic cylinders M, M<1> with an interposed spring M<2>. On operation of the ram L, the cylinder M<1> moves into cylinder M compressing spring M<2> until a head M<3> on cylinder M<1> bears against inclined parts K<4> on the levers K and thus lifts the hooks K<1> clear of the lugs J<2> and imparts movement to the carrier G. The force applied to the carrier is so determined that the rearward travel of the torpedo will have ceased as nearly as practicable when the torpedo has arrived at the discharge position. After release of the torpedo, movement of the carrier may, if desired, be checked by means of a spring buffer. Fig. 15 shows a modification in which the torpedo is suspended by a clamp device N of the form shown from a girder member D<4> of inverted T-section. When the torpedo reaches its discharge position, the clamp is opened by coming into contact with a wedge D<5> and the torpedo is released. Alternatively, the torpedo may be placed in its discharge position on the member D<4> and the wedge moved by a rod so as to open the clamp and release the torpedo. Fig. 17 shows a further modification in which the torpedo A is provided with side lugs Q adapted to rest on cam-like members Q<1> carried on rods Q<2> rotatable in suitable bearings so as to release the torpedo and allow it to drop directly into the water. According to a still further modification, Fig. 19, the lug A<2> of the torpedo is supported in its discharge position from a fixed overhead carrier rail R on a pair of cams R<1> which are adapted to be rotated to release the torpedo by turning a handle R<5> which rotates a worm R<4> meshing with toothed wheels R<3> on the axles R<2> of each of the cams. A modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 15 is described in which a clamp or clamps N engaging a lug or lugs A<2> on the torpedo move along the girder D' until the torpedo reaches its discharge position when the clamps drop through openings in the flanges of the girder to release the torpedo. If desired, the clamps may be dispensed with, lugs on the upper side of the torpedo engaging directly with flanges on the girder. Fig. 22 shows a modification of this last arrangement in which the torpedo A is provided with two pairs of side lugs S supported on side rails S<1> each of which is formed with an opening S<2>, the arrangement being such that when the torpedo moves aft and reaches its discharge position, the rear lugs pass off the ends of the rails whilst simultaneously the forward lugs pass through the openings S<2>. A modification of this arrangement is also described in which the side lugs S normally rest on hinged flaps constituting parts of the rail S<1> and held in position by suitable locking bolts. On release of the bolts, the flaps fall about their pivots and the torpedo drops into the water. If desired, the stern of the vessel may be constructed so as to carry a single torpedo.