14-in Mark X Torpedo (UK)
The 14-in Mark X Torpedo was a British torpedo manufactured by the Royal Gun Factory at Woolwich.
It was introduced into service production in 1898, building upon its very successful Mark IX predecessor.[1]
It and the 14-in Weymouth Mark I and a portion of the 18-in Mark IV torpedoes ordered in 1898 would be among the first to employ gyroscopes.
Development and History
Discussions of what to incorporate in the successor design to the 14-in Mark IX torpedo began in 1896. Nine improvements were considered desireable, including an increase of 5 cubic feet in the air vessel, a possible move to four-bladed propellors, a range of 800 yards and a more neutral trim when fully charged.[2]
It was referred to the "E" Design of several candidates covered in the Annual Report of the Torpedo School. 1897 which sought to discover the best combination of components.[3]
Mark X
The final design is laid out in the Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898.[4] The weak engine room and after-body joint of the Mark IX had been remedied in this design. The Weymouth pattern gyros were found to work nicely with them. They made 30 knots to 600 yards and 27.5 knots to 750 yards. Its 15 foot 6 inch length made it unsuitable for existing above-water tubes, but submerged tubes were still able to accommodate it.
By 1915, at least, the air vessel was able to hold 1,600 psi, allowing a speed of 24 knots to 1,000 yards.[5]
Mark X*
Introduced in 1902.[Fact Check]
By 1915, at least, the air vessel was able to hold 2,000 psi, allowing a speed of 27.5 knots to 1,000 yards.[6]
Manufacture and Use
1898
Fifty are ordered and are under manufacture at Woolwich.[7]
1916
In 1916, it was decided that the warhead of 14-inch torpedoes should be filled with Amatol. The Mark X and X* were to have 115 pounds of this explosive.[8]
1918
120 of 421 remaining Mark Xs and 20 of 85 remaining Mark X*s were broken up in 1918.[9]
1919
In 1919, it was approved to maintain a reserve of fifty Mark X* and fifty 14-in Mark XI torpedoes and to break up all other 14-in torpedoes.[10]
Footnotes
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898. pp. vi-vii.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1896. p. 28.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898. p. 19.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898. pp. 19-20.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1915. p. 31.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1915. p. 31.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1898. p. 19.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 47.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918. p. 10. (G. 8472/18).
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1919. p. 11.
Bibliography
