Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:41:13-1:41:31

Updating torpedoes in modernized First World War capital ships

Keeping 21-inch tubes let the Royal Navy replace obsolete torpedoes with Mark IX weapons without rebuilding the entire launching installation.

Capital ShipsMark IX TorpedoRoyal NavyTorpedoesWarship Modernisation
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Question

Did modernized Royal Navy capital ships keep their old Mark IV torpedoes?

Short answer

No; they could receive Mark IX torpedoes because the standard 21-inch tubes accepted newer weapons.

Notes

Modernization did not leave the ships tied to their original First World War torpedoes. The Royal Navy upgraded them to Mark IX weapons. Retaining a standard 21-inch tube made that change possible. Standard calibre therefore preserved an upgrade path even when the surrounding capital ship was much older than its new ammunition.