An Improved Universal Torpedo Dropping Gear.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan., 1889
Complete Speci cation Left, 22nd Oct., 1889-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Universal Torpedo Dropping Gear.
I, CARDIGAN DANN of Williamstown in the Colony of Victoria Chief Torpedo
Gunner Victoria Naval Forces, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My improved torpedo dropping gear has novel features whereby a torpedo may be
quickly and firmly gripped, launched, dispatched, or replaced inboard, when exercising
or manoeuvring, in smooth, or rough water, without removing, or shipping or
unshipping, the davits, as is generally the case with other apparatus.
By the use of this invention two persons may easily exorcise or manoeuvre torpedoes
of various diameters with facility, and without the slightest possibility of an accident
or injury to the thin shell of the torpedo.
Referring to my invention, I arrange a tubular shaft in Plummer blocks secured
to the deck of a torpedo boat or other vessel to carry two davits, each of which is
provided with a curved arm having a recessed sent in the bottom portion to receive a
tong tube hereinafter described.
Two or more pins are inserted in holes or eyes made in the davits and also in
the Plummer blocks to assist in holding the davits outboard, or inboard, or in any
other position.
Between the two cheeks of each davit a chafing block is affixed to avoid injury to
the shell of the torpedo, when secured inboard.
By means of two chains, pulleys, and two handles, the whole of my dropping gear
may be turned inboard, or lowered outboard, or the tongs may be lowered to recover
the torpedo from the water when practising.
To the outer end of each of the chains beforementioned, I connect a shackle
provided with a shank slotted to receive a cotter. This cotter rests upon a seat which
acts as a guide plate for the chains beforementioned. Said seat is secured in the upper
portion of the curved arms. By this means the tong tube can be easily placed in or
recovered, or released from the curved arms and lowered to the water to recover the
torpedo and replace it in position for recharging, roadjusting, and fixing when at
practice.
The torpedo tongs, I use are arranged upon the tong tube to keep the jaw of each
pair of tongs together. The tongs are made of two curved pieces, between which
two eccentric sheaves are arranged at suitable distances, (that is to say two near the
axis of tongs and two near the bottom of the jaws) upon a pin, or bolt secured in
each jaw. The top excentrics may work off their axis say half an inch or more if
desired. The other ecentrics in each jaw also work off their axis to suit torpedoes of
different diameters. A pin is extended from one of each pair of tongs to receive a
hook pivoted to each davit, to prevent the tongs with torpedo from rolling or swaying
when placed inboard. In connection with the upper portion of the tongs as before-
mentioned there are eight projections, two of which are used for carrying a spreader
bar, and two more for a rod which is engaged by the hooked end of each spreader.
The other projections are curved downwards to cause the longs to close automatically
when lowered upon the torpedo to recover it.
A slot is made in each jaw of tongs to receive a feather secured in the tong tube
to limit the opening and closing of the tongs. Two tie rods are connected with each
pair of tongs. These rods cause the tongs to open or close simultaneously, a firing
bar is arranged within the tong tube, and is actuated by a firing lever or by a
blowing charge. This firing bar is free to move laterally in said tong tube. Said
firing lever is fulcrumed upon a pin, carried by two cheeks formed upon a sleeve
embracing the tong tube.

page_text: .
"
A safety pin is inserted into a hole in said tong tube and the firing bar, to lock or
secure the two latter until the torpedo is ready to be dispatched. When this safety
pin is withdrawn the firing lever may be actuated, which consequently moves the
firing bar and a screwed spindle attached to an air lever. Two separate pieces having
inclined planes are secured in the firing bar by means of two pins or rivets.
A slot is made in the top side of the tong tube and also in the firing bar to allow
the legs of the spreaders to engage with the inclined planes. A drop catch having a
recess receives the pin usually fitted upon torpedoes keeps the torpedo in its proper
position when exercising or manoeuvring until despatched. The screwed spindle
before-mentioned arranged in the long tube is connected to the firing bar. This
spindle carries a sleeve to which is attached an air lever tripper having a central slot
and lock nut by which it is secured after its height is adjusted, and by means of a
handle it may he adjusted to come in contact with an air lever similar to that used
upon many classes of torpedoes.
The firing lever may be dispensed with and in lieu thereof an electrical firing
arrangement may be adopted. In this case a combustion chamber is formed by
means of a flanged disc upon one end of tong tube. This disc is provided with a
central opening or aperture with a recess in the front side to receive and hold a
cartridge. Near the periphery of this disc, I pivot a breech block having a slot
extended from its centre to the bottom edge, to permit electrical wires from a suitable
battery to connect with the cartridge, as well as to hold the latter whilst exploding,
and also to allow the removal of breech block from its place, in order to extract the
exploded cartridge and renew the charge. In the end of the beforementioned firing bar
1 insert a screwed plug to effectually close the combustion chamber. By this means
when the cartridge is exploded in the latter, the firing bar is actuated by the force of
such explosion. A serios of vent holes is made in the long tube at the end of the
stroke of firing bar to allow the superfluous gas arising from the explosion to escape
from the combustion chamber to avoid injury to the tong tube or firing bar.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1889.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Universal Torpedo Dropping Gear.
1, CARDIGAN DANN, of Williamstown in the Colony of Victoria, Chief Torpedo
Gunner of the Victoria Naval Forces, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for AN IMPROVED UNIVERSAL TORPEDO DROPPING GEAR, and in what mannor the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
My Improved Torpedo dropping gear has for its object means whereby a torpedo
may be quickly and firmly gripped, launched, despatched, or replaced in-board when
exercising or manoeuvring in smooth or rough water, without removing or shipping
or unshipping the davits as is generally the case with other apparatus.
By the use of my Invention, two persons may easily exercise or manoeuvre
torpedoes of various diameters with facility, and without the slighest possibility of an
accident, or injury to the thin shell of the torpedo.
The apparatus which my Invention is intended to supplant is that which is known
as the "service torpedo dropping gear," the disadvantages attending the manipulation
of which are, Firstly, a torpedo when launched overboard by means of the davits,
heels with the heel of the boat and is consequently prevented from dropping vertically,
with the result that the tail frame strikes the water diagonally, deflecting the torpedo
from the direction of the object of attack. Secondly, the use of tackle with the
davits necessitates the employment of a number of skilled hands to either launch
the torpedoes or lift them out of the water. Thirdly, the davits cannot be shipped or
unshipped with facility. Fourthly, the tongs of the "service gear are difficult of
"

page_text: laptation to different patterns of manoeuvred torpedoes, therefore to change the tongs
hen required, and substitute others, necessitates the employment of a mechanic.
ifthly, the gear fitted for the starboard side of boat is not interchangeable, that is to
y, it is not adapted for the port side.
Now I entirely overcome the foregoing disadvantages, and before 1 describe the
ombination and arrangement of the several parts of my dropping gear I will
istinguish the various figures upon the accompanying sheets of drawings which are
be taken as part of this Specification and read therewith.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my gear turned outboard in the position ready for
ring, and also for lifting the torpedo out of the water when exercising.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of Figure 1.

page_text: plummer block to hold the davits outboard or inhoard, or in any other position. A
chafing block such as C, is (Fig. 1) secured between each of the two cheeks of the
davits, to avoid injury to the shell of the torpedo when secured inboard. (c) and (d)
are the two purchase chains which are used simultaneously to turn the gear inboard, or
lower it outboard, and for lowering the tongs to recover the torpedo from the water
when practising
These chains are connected to shackles (d') and (d) Fig. 17 carrying the tong
tube (№³) (Fig. 2). Said chains are carried over the sprocket wheels (d) and (e),
each being connected with a shackle or carrier provided with cheeks which are formed
into bearings to carry the tong tube. The inboard end of each chain has a swivel
and is secured to a cleat or hook affixed to the deck of vessel. Each of the shackles
or carriers has a slotted shank (e¹) with an eye to which hoth the aforesaid chains are
connected. A cottor (e) is insorted in each of said slotted shanks, and rests upon a
seat. (e) (Fig. 17) (which also acts as a guide Plate) having a central opening or
perforation for chain. Said seat is secured between two cheeks of the upper portion
of the curved arms (b) and (c) (Fig. 2).
By this means the tong tube can be easily placed in, or recovered or released from
the curved arms and lowered to the water to recover the torpedo and replace it in
position for recharging, run sting, and firing when at practice (6) is at the
extended from, and secured by two lock nuts (f) and (f) to each davit, to brace the
top ends of the latter. This tube (e) receives a spindle (f) which is revolved by
means of two handles (ƒ³) and (ƒ³), one at each end. The boss of each handle acts
as a shoulder, to prevent the spindlo moving laterally. (³) and (**) represent two
pinions, each of which is arranged upon that part of the spindle between the two
checks of each davit. (9) and (g) are spur wheels arranged to revolve freely upon
rigid pins or bolts which form the axis.
Each of the sprocket wheels beforementioned is cast upon one side of the spur
wheel to carry the aforesaid chains (c) and (d). (g) and (g) are clearance forks
which are used to prevent the two chains (c) and (d) from jamming upon the
sprocket wheels when the purchase is used in either direction. (9) and (1) are pawls
engaging with the spur wheels (9) and (9¹), these pawls are pivoted in the top end of
the davits and kept in gear with the spur wheels by means of flat springs (h¹) and (²).
(3) and (4) are grooved blocks secured upon the same bolt and pin carrying the
pawls (9) and (h). These blocks confine the chains (c) and (d) in the sprocket
wheels aforesaid. By the adaptation and arrangement of the aforesaid gear wheels,
and chains, the tong tube and tongs with torpedo can be uniformly lowered from the
aforesaid recessed seats in the curved arms (6) and (e), and to replace the said tong
tube in the latter, it is only necessary to revolve the before mentioned spindle (f') by
the handles (f) and (2) and replace the cotters in the slotted shackles or carriers.
(i) and (i) are torpedo tongs arranged upon the aforesaid tube (d³). (¿³) and (3)
are collars secured to said tube (d), to keep the jaw of each pair of tongs together.
Each jaw of tongs is made of two curved pieces, between which two eccentric sheaves
are arranged at suitable distances for carrying the torpedo. Pius or bolts (one for
each sheave) and are secured in each jaw. The top eccentrics, (5), (5), (¹), and (i),
may work off their axes say half an inch or more if desired. The other eccentrics
(*) (*) and (3) in each jaw also work off their axes to suit torpedoes of different
diameters, thus it will be seen that there are four eccentrics in each pair of tongs.
The pins () and (2) are extended from the side of two jaws of tongs to receive hooks
pivoted one to each davit as shown, to prevent the tongs with torpedo from rolling or
swaying when placed inboard. The top portion of each jaw upon one side of said
tongs has two projections or horns (k) und (k), whilst the jaws upon the opposite side
of tubo have also each two projections (1) and (k³).
The top projections lettered (k) and (k) carry the bar (³) termed the spreader bar,
provided with two spreaders (^) and (k), the other projections (k) and (2) are
curved downwards to cause the tongs to close automatically when lowered upon the
torpedo to recover it.
The top projections (42) and (12) of the onnosite inve of tangs carry a rod 10

page_text: which is engaged by the hooked end of each spreader. The slotted end (4) of each
of the latter is fitted upon the spreader bar (³).
(F) and () represent slots one in each jaw of tongs. A feather is secured in the
under side of said tong tubo, between the aforesaid "collars (i) and (3) to limit the
opening and closing of the tongs. (1) and (1) represent two tie rods, each of which
is connected with each pair of tongs. These rods cause the tongs to open or close
simultaneously. (m) is a firing bar, which is actuated by a firing lever (m) (or by a
blowing charge) and is free to move laterally in the said tong tube; the firing lever is
fulcrumed upon a pin (m²) carried by two cheeks formed upon the sleeve (m³) fitting
upon the tong tube. (m³) and (m³) ropresent two studs secured in the firing bar to
permit the firing lever to actuate the latter. (n) is a pin "termed the safety pin
inserted into a hole on the tong tube and the firing bar, to lock or secure the two
latter until the torpedo is ready to be despatched. (n) and (n¹) are recesses or gullets
formed in the leg of each spreader, to receive the projections (n³) of the inclined
planes of firing har. The beforementioned pin (n) and the projections (n³) prevent
the spreaders being released from the rod (1) when a torpedo is in the tongs.
33
When the safety pin is withdrawn, the firing lever may be actuated, which
consequently moves the firing bar, and the screwed spindle with air lever tripper
hereinafter described. (n³) and (n) represent two inclined planes secured in the
firing bar by means of two pins or rivets such as (o) and (o'). 'A slot (0*) is made in
the top side of the tong tube, and also in the firing bar to allow the legs of the
spreaders to engage with the inclined planes (n³) and (n). (p) is a drop catch with
a recess formed in the bottom part to receive the fin usually fitted upon torpedoes.
This drop catch keeps the torpedo in its proper position when exercising or
manoeuvring until despatched. (7) is the screwed spindle before mentioned arranged
in the tong tube and connected to the firing bar (m). Upon this screwed spindle a
tapped sleeve or nut (9') is fitted, to carry the adjustable air lever tripper (7) having
a central slot and lock nut (1) to secure it after adjusting its height vertically, and by
means of a handle (2) it may be adjusted laterally to come into contact with the air
lever used upon the several classes of torpedoes. The inner end of said spindle (9) is
connected to the firing bar (m) by means of two pins (7) engaging with a groove or
recess formed in the periphery of the bush shown.
I do not confine myself to the use of the firing lever (m²) as before described, as I
may dispense with it and use instead the electrical firing arrangement illustrated at
Figure 19. In this case I form a combustion chamber (s) by arranging a flanged
dise (s) upon the fore end of tong tube. This disc has a central opening or aperture
with a recess in the front side to receive and hold a cartridge such as (1). Near the
outside edge of said disc (s') I pivot a breech block (t) having a slot (²) extended
from its centre to the bottom edge, to permit two electrical wires from a suitable
battery to connect with the cartridge, as well as to hold the latter whilst exploding
and also to allow the removal of the block from its place, in order to extract the
exploded cartridge and renew the charge. In the end of the beforementioned firing
bar (m) (shown at Figure 19) I insert a screwed plug (*) to effectually close the
combustion chamber.
By this means when the cartridge is exploded in the latter, the firing bar is actuated
by the force of such explosion. A series of vent holes such as (t) is made in the
tong tube at the end of the stroke of firing bar to allow the superfluous gas arising
from the explosion to escape from the combustion chamber to avoid injury to the tong
tube or firing bar. The following parts of my gear are made of brass, the plummer
blocks (a) and (a³), nir lever tripper (v), sprocket wheels (d) and (e), screwed
spindle () and its nut, caps upon ends of tong tube (d³), combustion chamber (s), fin
for crutch (p). The eccentric sheaves and chafing blocks are made of box or hard
wood, whilst the other parts of gear are made of steel.
My dropping gear may be extended to either one of two positions, a first and a
second position. When the boat is exercising or manoeuvring in rough water the
gear is set to the first position, but when in smooth water the gear is extended to the
second position, which is the outermost one.

page_text: The mode of operating my dropping gear for the launch and despatch of a torpedo
is as follows:-
A torpedo is first placed in the tongs, then charged, and adjusted in the usual
manner. This is easily effected because the air inlet plug is easily accessible in the
several patterns of the manoeuvred class of torpedoes the diameters of which vary;
they are either twelve inches, fourteen inches, or fifteen inches.
After charging and adjusting the torpedo whilst in the tongs with the gear at
the inboard position as represented by dotted lines (Fig. 1) the davits are turned to the
first or second outboard position. The two purchase chains (c) and (d) carried by the
sprocket wheels are next operated simultaneously by turning the handles (1) and ("),
for the purpose of lowering the gear carrying the torpedo to an outboard position. A
firing line is attached to the lever (m) and the safety pin (n) withdrawn. The line
when pulled actuates the firing bar (m) laterally, causing the inclined planos (n³) and (*)
to impart a vertical movement to the legs of the spreaders (k) and (k), the hooked
ends of which are thereby released from the tie rod (1) consequently opening the
tongs and throwing the air lever simultaneously, backwardly and horizontally. By
this action the air tripper engages the air lever which opens the torpedo stop valve.
This valve when opened admits the air freely to propel the engines of the torpedo,
which then drops into the water and takes up its running. When the electrical firing
arrangement shewn at Figure 19 is used in lieu of the firing lever and line the blowing
charge or cartridge is inserted and exploded in the combustion chamber (s) in the
fore end of the tong tube, the firing bar gives a similar result as that before
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
The general arrangement, construction and entire combination of the various parts
or devices of my improved torpedo dropping gear, as hereinbefore set forth in the
Specification, and as illustrated in the drawings attached.
CARDIGAN DANN.
Per S. S. Bromhead,
97, Newgate Street, London, Agent.
CARDIGAN DANN.
Per S. S. Bromhead,
97, Newgate Street, London, Agent.