Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:59:02-4:02:11

Spar torpedoes endangered attacker and target

The weapon's effectiveness came from placing an explosive directly against a hull, which also exposed the attacker to the same blast.

Civil War NaviesH. L. Hunley (Submarine)Naval MinesRomanian NavySpar TorpedoesUnderwater Warfare
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Question

Are there cases of spar torpedoes causing major damage or sinking ships?

Short answer

They could sink or badly damage a target, but detonating a large charge at the end of a short spar often wrecked the attacking craft or required a major refit.

Notes

Successful attacks could leave the attacking craft badly damaged and in need of a lengthy refit. Hunley is raised as an example of the danger of putting a large explosion too close to the attacker; the short-spar explanation is the interpretation offered here. A Romanian boat, apparently Rândunica, comes up during the search for further examples. The participants discuss its British construction and low speed, without working through a specific attack by it.