Torpedo Deflection Sight Mark III

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Modified Rings for T.D.S. Mark III[1]
Handles added to alter setting shown in blue.
Modification for T.D.S. Mark III[2]
Modification to show amount of course alteration required to bring sights on.

The Torpedo Deflection Sight Mark III was the first British torpedo deflection sight designed as such from the outset. The Mark I and Mark II sights were modified torpedo directors.

Design

This was to be the universal sight for light cruisers (submerged or above-water firing) and destroyers for fitting in control positions or directly on the tubes.

Allocation

By (T.O. 232/17), they were approved to be issued as follows:[3]

  • four to each LC with 23-in (H.B. or S.L.) for use on fore RF or compass platform and after control positions.
  • Two to Flotilla Leaders and to TBDs "V" class and later for use on bridge
  • for use on A.W. training tubes when the supply of earlier types is exhausted.

By July 1919, supply was in this state:[4]

  • Four to each light cruiser armed with 21-in H.B. or S.L. torpedoes, to be fitted to fore bridge and after control positions (issuance complete)
  • Eight to each of light cruisers Danae class and later (being completed with these supplied)
  • Four to each Raleigh class light cruiser
  • Four to some "V" class destroyers for use on the fore bridge. (Supplied on completion)
  • Two to existing flotilla leaders for use on the fore bridge. (Supply in process)
  • Two to nine of the "V" class destroyers for use on the fore bridge. (Supplied on completion)
  • Four to flotilla leaders of Scott class and later. (Supply in process)
  • Four to "W" class destroyers and later ("W" and "S" were supplied on completion)
  • One for each Torpedo Attack Table in Destroyer Depots (Supply in process)

Alterations

By mid 1919, issues with the deflection rings becoming stiff from salt water prompted a modification to add 3 lugs to help move the ring as needed. New sights would be completed with these in place, and the staff of light cruisers were to adapt their existing sights with destroyers having the work performed by their depot.

Similar issues were seen in the need to permit torpedo officers to tell their captain how much more of a turn would be required before the torpedo could be fired, and the work was executed in the same manner.[5]

The image showing the second feature are puzzling in that the speed slider (which would not be utilised on a T.D.S., but might have been a convenient mount for the fore sight) is marked as "Speed of own fleet", suggesting this part was appropriated from a device such as a Clear Range Indicator.

See Also

Footnotes

  1. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, Plate 109.
  2. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, Plate 108..
  3. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917, p. 190.
  4. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 157.
  5. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918, p. 157.

Bibliography