Invention The Howell Torpedo

Summary

The inherent gyroscopic effect produced by the large high-speed flywheel of the Howell torpedo overcame the problems of directional stability encountered in the Whitehead torpedo. However, the speed of the Howell gradually decreased as it approached its target, making it difficult to predict its point of impact.

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Related entries

Published resources

Books

  • Gray, Edwyn, Nineteenth Century Torpedoes and Their Inventors, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, 2004. Details
  • Sleeman, Charles William, Torpedoes and Torpedo Warfare: The Containing a Complete and Concise Account of the Rise and Progress of Submarine Warfare, Griffin & Co., Portsmouth, 1880. Details

Book Sections

  • Eardley-Wilmot, S M, 'Torpedo', in The Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11 edn, vol. 27, The Encyclopaedia Britannica Company, New York, 1911, pp. 53-58. Details

Journal Articles

  • 'Notes: The Obituary of a Howell torpedo', Engineering, vol. 40, 11 September 1885, p. 258. Details
  • 'Locomotive torpedoes', The Engineer, vol. 65, 24 February 1888, p. 147. Details
  • 'Locomotive torpedoes', The Engineer, vol. 65, 24 February 1888, p. 147. Details
  • 'American Engineering News: The Howell torpedo', The Engineer, vol. 83, 15 January 1897, pp. 71-72. Details
  • Drake, F J, 'Automobile Torpedoes', The Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute, vol. 19, no. 1, 38418. Details
  • Ellicott, J. M., 'Automatic Torpedoes Automobile Torpedoes, the Whitehead and Howell with a Detailed Description of each', Engineering, vol. 50, November-December 1890. Details
  • Gleaves, A., 'The Howell Torpedo. An elementary description', The Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute, vol. 21, No. 1, Whole No. 73, 1895, pp. 125-129. Details
  • Tickell, F., 'Locomotive torpedoes (Uncontrollable Type)', Journal of the United Service Institution of Victoria, vol. 5, no. 4, August 1896, pp. 3-24. Details

Letters Patents

  • Howell, J. A., Improvement in propulsion of marine torpedoes, United states Patent Office, 21/11/1871. Details
  • Howell, J. A., Marine torpedo, United States Patent Office, 27 January 1885. Details
  • Howell, J. A., Marine torpedo, United States Patent Office, 1 September 1891. Details

Newspaper Articles

  • 'Howell Versus Whitehead', The New York Times, 23 September 1891, p. 10. Details

Sources used to compile this entry: Ellicott, J. M., 'Automatic Torpedoes Automobile Torpedoes, the Whitehead and Howell with a Detailed Description of each', Engineering, vol. 50, November-December 1890; Gray, Edwyn, Nineteenth Century Torpedoes and Their Inventors, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, 2004.

Prepared by: Rebecca Rigby