'It is the principal object of my present invention to provide a form of torpedo equipment whereby there may be attained a range of attack very considerably in excess of that hitherto possible for the very largest torpedoes; and also make it possible to use relatively small and inexpensive torpedoes for long range work. The advantages of these results, from the point of view of economy, of ease and rapidity of operation and of increase in attacking force on each torpedo boat are obvious."