Bliss-Leavitt Mark 9 torpedo

The Bliss-Leavitt Mark 9 torpedo was a Bliss-Leavitt torpedo developed and produced by the E. W. Bliss Company and the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island in 1915. The Mark 9 was originally intended to be used on battleships. Before the Mark 9 could be issued, however, use of torpedoes on battleships was discontinued and Mark 9 torpedoes were placed in storage. These torpedoes were modified for deployment on R-class and S-class submarines, and used in early World War II to supplement the initial supply of Mark 14 torpedoes. Torpedo production for the U.S. Navy was terminated by the E.W. Bliss Company about 1920 after completion of the Mark 9 project.[1]

Bliss-Leavitt Mark 9 torpedo
TypeAnti-surface ship torpedo[1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1915–1945[1]
Used byUnited States Navy
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerFrank McDowell Leavitt
Designed1915[1]
ManufacturerE. W. Bliss Company
VariantsMod 1[2]
Mod 1B
Specifications
Mass2015 pounds[1]
Length197 inches[1]
Diameter21 inches[1]

Effective firing range7000 yards[1]
WarheadMk 9, TNT[1]
Warhead weight210 pounds[1]
Detonation
mechanism
Mk 3 Mod 2 contact exploder[1]

EngineTurbine[1]
Maximum speed 27 knots
Guidance
system
Gyroscope[1]
Launch
platform
Battleships, modified for submarines[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Torpedo History: Bliss-Leavitt Torpedo Mk9". Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  2. ^ "United States of America Torpedoes Pre-World War II". Retrieved 24 June 2013.