Anniversary Address. xxxv, 
Locomotive torpedoes are submarine weapons which possess 
within themselves the power of locomotion. Of these I will specially 
notice the Whitehead torpedo, the Lay torpedo, and the Brennan 
torpedo. i 
The Whitehead or “ fish” torpedo is an uncontrollable weapon, Whitehead 
i.e., after it is projected from the bow or side of a vessel it cannot ee 
be controlled or directed by the will of an operator. It is made 
of various sizes, ranging from 14ft. long and 14iu. maximum diameter, 
to 19ft. long by 16in. maximum diameter. The larger size carrics 
a charge of 80lb. of gun-cotton at its bow. Its motive-power is 
compressed air, which, by means of small engines, drives two screw 
propellers. It is capable of being adjusted, by means of certain 
mechanical apparatus, to a certain depth, and when launched will go 
at a rate of about twenty-five knots an hour or more for several hun- 
dred yards. 
Properly to use the Whitehead torpedo, however, an expert’s 
ktiowledge of the weapon and special training is required. In words 
used by Admiral Boys, once Naval Director of Ordnance, to make it 
a success you must “ love it." It has only been tried as yet—so far 
as I am aware—on three occasions in actual warfare, but on one 
of these it was perfectly successful. This was in 1878, when a 
Russian steamer fired a Whitehead torpedo against a Turkish vessel 
off Batoum and destroyed her. 
I may mention that the Governments of Austria and Great 
Britain each gave Mr. Whitchead something like £20,000 for the use 
of his torpedo, and that nearly all the other European Governments 
have since purchased the secret.” The Turks, however, picked up two 
of these torpedoes, which they found on the shore after having been 
unsuccessfully fired at their ships, and so obtained the use of the 
weapon without paying for it. 
The Lay torpedo and the Brennan torpedo are shaped some- 
thing like the Whitehead ; and, like that weapon, are provided with 
charges at the bow end, which explode on contact. Unlike the 
Whitehead, however, they are not intended to be discharged as 
missiles, but are controllable whilst in motion, : 
The Lay torpedo, an American invention, about 25ft. long, with Lay torpedo. 
a maximum diameter of 24in., is a sort of torpedo-boat propellec 
by screws worked by machinery, the motor of which is carbonic- 
acid gas. It is controlled by an operator on shore or ship by an 
electric cable attached to it, and has an apparatus within it by 
means of which a rudder at the stern can be moved to port or star- 
board as desired. Upon it are two guide rods by which it is directed, 
and which can be raised or lowered at will, Each of these is pro- 
