Howell Torpedo 1890 to 1898

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Since 08-01-04

 

From “ A brief History Of U.S. Navy Torpedo Development”

 

DEVELOPMENT DATE : CIRCA 1880

 

APPROXIMATE IN-SERVICE DATES: 1890-1898

 

The Howell Torpedo was named for its inventor, u.s. Navy LCDR John A. Howell. (He later became a Rear Admiral.) This torpedo was the only U.S. torpedo of its era (circa 1880) to attain enough success to be produced .in quantity. The power for the Howell was received from a flywheel prespun before launch. In 1889, the U.S. Navy ordered 50 Howell Torpedoes from the Hotchkiss Ordnance Co., Providence, R.I., who had purchased the rights to the torpedo from Howell. This torpedo was used as an antisurface ship, battleship- and torpedo boat-launched weapon until 1898 when it.was supplanted by the Whitehead Torpedo..

 

CHARACTERISTICS

 

PHYSICAL

 

Length = 132 inches

 

Diameter = 14.2 inches

 

 Weight = 580 pounds

 

Propulsion = Prespun flywheel

 

Enabling = No

 

Guidance = Gyro effect of the flywheel

 

Homing = No

 

FC Settings = None

 

Warhead = 100 pounds wet guncotton

 

Exploder = Contact device

 

PERFORMANCE

 

Speed = 25 knots

 

Range = 400 yards {800 when flywheel runs down)

 

The first successful U.S. torpedo development began in 1870 and was completed in 1889. Largely the work of LCDR J. A. Howell (later Rear Admiral, lU.S.N.) the Howell Torpedo was driven by a 132-pound flywheel spun to 10,000 revolutions per minute prior to launch by a steam turbine mounted on the tube. Two variable pitch propellers on parallel shafts were driven bevel gearing from the flywheel. The diminishing speed of the in turn, was compensated for by propeller pitch to maintain a torpedo speed. The rotating flywheel created a gyroscopic effect.

 

Deviations in azimuth were adjusted by a pendulum which sensed the heel of when it deviated from its course and was coupled to the rudder.

 

This gave the torpedo good directional stability; however, the depth-keeping were not good. Despite this, the Howell Torpedo was used in service on U.S. battleships until 1898 when it was supplanted by the Whitehead Torpedo. (The Howell Torpedo is shown in figure 1.)

 

Figure 1. Howell Torpedo