GB504771A - Improvements in or relating to means for launching torpedoes - Google Patents

Abstract

504,771. Launching torpedoes. THORNYCROFT & CO., Ltd., J. I., and THORNYCROFT, SIR .J. I. March 26, 1938, No. 9352. [Class 9 (ii)] Means for launching torpedoes from a navigable surface water vessel comprises a torpedo tube mounted on one or each side of the deck of the boat at a small permanent angle to the centre line of the boat, with its forward end terminating at or near to the gunwale of the boat, means being associated with the forward end of the tube to extend beyond the gunwale of the boat to afford support to a torpedo during launching thereof, so that the torpedo can be launched over the side of the boat in a forward direction, at a small angle to the direction df travel of the boat, when the boat is travelling at a high or low speed or i<g> at rest, without coming into contact with the deck or side thereof. As shown in Fig. 1, a torpedo tube 2 is supported by brackets 3 close to the deck 4 of a boat 1 and permanently fixed at an angle of about 10<0> to the centre line of the boat, the forward end of the tube terminating near to the gunwale of the boat. A shoot lip or spoon 5 is hinged at 6 to the forward end of the tube 2 so as to turn about a horizontal axis in such manner that normally it can be turned over the top of the tube and can be turned about its axis into an outward position extending beyond the gunwale, as shown, when it is desired to launch a torpedo. According to a modification, Figs. 3 and 4 (not shown), the shoot 5 is hinged at its inboard side to the end of the tube so as to turn about a vertical axis. Fig. 6 shows a further modification in which the forward end of the tube 2 is provided with a sliding sleeve or spoon 5, the forward end of which normally terminates, as shown, at or near the end of the tube and is adapted to be moved into an outward position by hand-operated means 7. If desired, the sleeve .5 may be removable. Modifications of the arrangements described above are also described in.which the spoon 5 is inverted, e.g. as shown in Fig. 8, which corresponds to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, but in which the spoon is mounted to turn about a horizontal axis 6b arranged along the top of the tube 2. In these modified constructions, the torpedo may be supported (1) by a T-headed support thereon adapted to engage with a groove 8, Fig. 15, in the top of the tube 2, said groove being continued to the end of the spoon 5, or (2) by lugs on the side of the torpedo engaging ribs or grooves in the tube 2 on or above the horizontal diameter of the tube, which are continued to the end of the spoon. According to further modification, a lip or spoon may be arranged to swing or slide laterally inboard or outboard into line with the tube. Specification 471,809 is referred to.