Torpedo

this late 19th century Spar torpedo was mounted on the end of a boom.

A torpedo is a naval weapon.

The first torpedos were unpowered weapons. They would be fixed to an enemy hull either manually, by tricky covert divers, or by ramming a spear into the enemy hull, with the weapon attached. These are sometimes referred to as "spar torpedos".

The first powered torpedos had limited range, and primitive guidance systems, that were little more than a gyroscope, intended to keep it going in the direction it was first aimed. Their explosive payload relied on a contact fuse.

Later generations of torpedos were equipped with acoustic fuses, or magnetic fuses, so they could detonate near an enemy vessel. Acoustic fuses were designed to detonate when they detected the sound signature of a ship. Magnetic fuses relied on detecting magnetic changes when passing near hulls made of iron or steel.

Torpedoes can be launched from ships, submarines, helicopters, or cruise missiles.

History

Early on, naval mines were sometimes referred to as torpedoes. Admiral David Farragut said "Damn the torpedoes," but he was referring to mines, during the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864.

The CSS Hunley probably sank a Union ship using a spar torpedo. Recent evidence points to that also being the reason the Hunley sank. It is theorized that the concussive blast was too strong and everyone on board the Hunley was killed instantly.

Japanese "Long Lance" torpedo recovered from the beach on Guadalcanal, 1942-43.

The Japanese "Long Lance" torpedo was a technological marvel that gave them an edge early in World War II. One of these torpedoes is on display at the United States Naval Academy.