Torpedo Deflection Sight Mark V

T.D.S. Mark V

The Torpedo Deflection Sight Mark V Types were British torpedo deflection sights. Unlike most of the others, these had only a single torpedo setting graduated on their deflection ring.

Mark V

The Mark V had just a single deflection ring, bearing the letter designation of a C in a circle, etched for the 26.75-27.25 knot setting of the 18-in Mark IV and the 14-in R.G.F. Mark X*.

By mid 1919, the 14-in torpedo tubes had been removed from the P Boat Class (1915), and so the T.D.S. Mark V was removed from them, leaving them only on the subset of the "S" class destroyers that carried 18-in tubes. Shortly thereafter, those ships would also lose their 18-in torpedos, leaving no vessels carrying the Mark V.

Mark V*

T.D.S. Mark V*

T.D.S. Mark V* Pedestal

In 1920, however, it was desired to have sights graduated no in torpedo deflection but simply in director angle. The disused Mark V devices were an easy alteration to this purpose and so became the T.D.S. Mark V*.

These were supplied, two each, to the four of the Queen Elizabeth class (Queen Elizabeth already possessed sights altered to this standard), the Revenge class, the Iron Duke class, and H.M.S. King George V, replacing torpedo directors Pattern 2391 and Pattern 2392. Two Mark V* sights also went to Vernon, two to serve as spares, and one each to Actæon and Defiance. Ships' artificers were to alter the sight pedestals to receive the new sights.

Bibliography

• H.M.S. Vernon. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918. C.B. 1527. Copy 143 at The National Archives. ADM 189/38.
• H.M.S. Vernon. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1919. C.B. 1569. Copy 103 at The National Archives. ADM 189/39.
• H.M.S. Vernon. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1920. C.B. 1584. Copy 126 at The National Archives. ADM 189/40.