Improvements in Marine Torpedoes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1896
and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America.]
Improvements in Marine Torpedoes.
I,DUGALD CLERK, of 18 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
It is well known that in the use of marine torpedoes, while it is not difficult to
bring the torpedo into proximity to the vessel or other object to be destroyed, it is
sometimes difficult to bring it into contact therewith. Moreover, although in some
cases it would be desirable to delay the explosion of the torpedo after it has been
brought into contact with the vessel, it has not been possible to hold it against the
vessel after it has struck the same.
It is the object of this invention to provide a torpedo which shall with certainty
be guided against an iron or steel vessel after it has been brought near the same
and shall also be capable of holding itself against the vessel until such time as the
party controlling it desires to cause the explosion. To this end the torpedo is
provided with a powerful magnet which will direct it toward and into contact with
an iron or steel vessel and will cause it to cling thereto.
In the accompanying drawings.—
Figure 1 is a plan view in outline of a torpedo, the position of the maguet being
indicated by dotted lines.
Figure 2 is a plan view of a magnet adapted for the purpose referred to, the
magnet being partly broken out to show certain features of construction.
Figure 3 is an end view of the magnet.
It is
At some
The torpedo A may be of any preferred construction, the improvement herein
set forth being independent of the form or driving mechanism thereof.
assumed to be of substantial cigar-shape, and to have a tight shell.
suitable point within the shell, but preferably in the bow or nose thereof, is
mounted a powerful magnet B. The invention herein set forth is not directly
concerned with the particular construction of this magnet, but I prefer to employ
an electro magnet of a construction devised by me which has been found to
have for its size and weight a magnetic field of extraordinary extent and
intensity. The magnet represented in the drawing has for each spool a core C,
wound with many layers of insulated wire D and a disc E securely attached to
the core and of considerably larger diameter. Secured to each disc or forming
an integral part thereof is an extension pole-piece F which is shaped to conform
substantially to the curvature of the shell of the torpedo the two pole pieces
substantially filling the space between the magnet and the extremity of the shell,
whereby the power of the magnet is utilized to the greatest possible extent.
It will be readily understood that when the torpedo is in the water near the
iron or steel vessel and the magnet is powerfully energized, the torpedo, which
may then be running wild, will be directed towards and held against the vessel
by the magnetic force. As it requires but very little force to deflect the torpedo
more or less it will be evident that if a sufficiently powerful magnet be employed,

page_text: the torpedo will he directed into contact with the vessel, even though it might
otherwise pass at a considerable distance therefrom.
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.-
1. A marine torpedo having mounted within it a magnet whereby the torpedo
may be attracted toward and against an iron or steel vessel, substantially as shown
and described.
2. The combination with a torpedo of an electro magnet mounted in the bow
thereof, the said magnet having extension pole-pieces substantially filling the space
between the magnet and the extremity of the torpedo, and shaped to conform
substantially to the curvature of the torpedo shell substantially as shown and
.described.
Dated this 21st dor of September 1895
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.