School of the boat for 11-11-08 (torpedo tubes Part 2)

[etkfixr]

The reflex gages are the tall skinny glass sight glasses, yes?  The back of the tube is bevelled so it reflects visibly when there is water.  I think the pressure gage check valve would be to hold the highest impulse pressure so you got a chance to read it.  You got me on the hole size, but it is tickling something like I've heard this before.
PS I was an FTG.  On the Andrew Jackson I stood Torpedo Room watch and since it was 90 percent manual, the weekly weapons moves were all hands deals.  There is something supremely macho about loading a torpedo tube by hand!  Terry

[Darrin]

Terry there is nothing wrong with being a Fire Controlman (GUNS), weapons dept always helped out each other...

Now think about the pressure a depth charge puts on a hull when going off, then think about a depth charge going off with a empty (just fired tube) with the muzzle door still open. IF I remember correctly that was the explanation given to me moons ago, will have to go look at the TM 3&2's and 1&C

[JTheotonio]

Very good Terry - now follow Darrin's logic(?)

 I forgot - yes the check valve on the pressure gage did hold (for a short while) the highest impulse pressure when the tube was fired.

[JTheotonio]

When learning a system (as beautiful as a torpedo tube) we used to have to sketch things out.  I have attached one of my sketches - rough - of the torpedo tube unloaded.  With this sketch you should be able to load a torpedo, get set up for firing, fire, and then drain the tube.  Each valve shown will either indicate open or closed depending on what you are doing.

again sorry for the poor quality of this sketch.  But you get the idea.

[Lance Dean]

Awesome sketch there John.  Thanks!

[JTheotonio]

Than ks now you do one showing the firing sequence

[Darrin]

Ok folks we have talked about the breech door what about the muzzle door and it's associated shutter door??

[etkfixr]

Oooooo, I'm jealous.  I didn't pick up a TM3&2 when I had the chance since the TMs always had them handy.  I did a lovely cut away of a Mk-48 for training from that book and now I've lost it, same for the Harpoon.  Argh.  Makes sense about the hole size reduction.  I thought they told me something about it being too small for sea creature to climb trough and fowl the sight glass.  Probably pure moonshine.  Terry