Post CoD Ship Fixed TT Mount Arcs

[fluorophil]

Hi all,
My question for today is... what is everyone's take on the torpedo arcs of submerged TTs, especially if they are forward facing (Nelson class for example - these were removed 1939)?
Should they be considered P/S, or F (i.e 45 degrees either side of straight ahead)?
Or is there another possibility that I have not considered?
TIA, Phil

[shigure]

The following info. is from 'British Battleships of WWII' by Raven & Roberts.

As built.
Fire control for the torpedo armament on the Rodney and Nelson consisted of two towers containing 15-foot range-finders abreast of the funnel and a torpedo sight was fitted on each side of the admiral's bridge.
In 1933 to 1934 the torpedo range-finders abreast the funnel were removed and two pom-pom Mk. V were fitted along with Mk.1 pom-pom directors. As there is no mention of the torpedo directors being reinstalled somewhere else, this would have only left the torpedo sights on either side of the admiral's bridge with the ability to aim the torpedoes. However, there is also no mention of the torpedo tubes being removed. The RN 24.5 inch torpedo weighed 5,628 pounds and had a range of 30,000 yards at 30 knots and 15,000 yards at 35 knots. It was noted that it was normal for 10 of these torpedoes to be carried.

Based upon this information, I would guess the torpedoes must have some kind of gyroscopic aiming ability with info. fed down from the director or aiming sight. As the torpedoes slowest speed was greater than the max of the Nelson class the torpedo could have cleared the tube and after a slight run to clear the ship could been fired on any arc the directors or aiming sight could bear on a target. Which would present the possibility that the Nelson class could fire both tubes to F/P/S.

At the 30 knot setting the torpedoes would have a reasonable chance to hit a enemy battleship travelling at 21 to 23 knots. The USN BB's were capable of 21 knots and the IJN's were listed at 23 knots. so this was probably considered adequate for the time. However, as the BB's in the late 1930's were completed with 27-30+ knot speeds the chances would have been greatly dimished depending upon the situation.

Perhaps one our members from the UK has more info. to add.

[fluorophil]

Thanks Shigure - I have that book, as well as a few (!) others, I missed that!
Breyer (Battleships & Battlecruisers 1905 - 1970, p 177) said that the TT installations were removed 1938/39, which is what I initially quoted, but on further reading, I see that Conway's (and also M J Whitley) state that the installation was removed from Nelson only after the Italian torpedo hit in September 1941.
Why I asked is that I am looking at a few ship designs for publication which had forward facing submerged TTs...not necessarily for capital ship actions, but maybe commerce raiders finishing off solo merchant ships. Look to the Shipyard in the not too distant future...
Maybe Harry might have an opinion/ruling...? For the time being, I will use F/P/S as arcs.
I appreciate your input! Thank you for pointing that info out!