Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 31:16-31:34

Why torpedo bulges usually cost speed

Adding torpedo bulges increases a ship's beam and usually reduces its top speed by changing the hull's proportions.

Naval ArchitectureShip DesignTorpedo Protection
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Question

What happens to length-to-beam calculations when torpedo bulges are added to a ship?

Short answer

The added beam makes the ship broader and usually slower, so bulged ships commonly lose some top speed.

Notes

The answer applies the earlier length-to-beam discussion directly to refits. A torpedo bulge makes the ship broader, changing the ratio that helps determine resistance and speed through the water. The concise answer explains why improved underwater protection often imposed a measurable performance penalty.