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[John]

does anyone know where the first German torpedo was invented and tested ?

While looking for this I got side tracked, I didn't know the torpedo was as old as it is

The first prototypes of a self-propelled torpedo were created by Ivan Lupis-Vukić, a retired Croatian naval engineer who served in the Austro-Hungarian Navy. The design was presented to the Emperor Franz Joseph in the port city of Rijeka in 1860. Robert Whitehead, an English engineer/entrepreneur, was working in the Trieste port on navy projects, so in 1864 Lupis made a contract with him in order to perfect the invention. This resulted in Minenschiff, the first self-propelling torpedo, officially presented to the Imperial Naval commission on December 21, 1866.

Narrow miss by a German torpedo in World War I

After the government decided to invest in the invention, Whitehead started the first torpedo factory in Rijeka. In 1870, they improved the devices to travel up to 1,000 yards (914 m) at a speed of up to six knots, and by 1881 the factory was exporting its torpedoes to ten other countries. The torpedo was powered by compressed air and had an explosive charge of gloxyline or gun-cotton. Whitehead went on to develop more efficient devices, demonstrating torpedoes capable of 18 knots (1876), 24 knots (1886) and finally 30 knots (1890).

For more info http://experts.about.com/e/t/to/Torpedo.htm

You learn something new every day

[Guest]

Thanks John, they are earlier than that if you count the American Civil War efforts ....they were rowed to the target ! The reason I ask is that I found a curious mention in a civil service/ local government survey that said " Loch Alvie, the first German torpedos were invented here". I wonder if Whitehead took his holidays in the Highlands? The same Loch Alvie was part of Lady Houston`s estate (Schnieder Trophy and Mt. Everest Flight sponsor) but that was much later than first torpedo era. I`ve posted the same question on a U boat site, I`ll let you know if I get a result

[Guest]

From Jason

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Sorry Duncan. I uploaded it to the gallery where I should have put it in my post. Silly me!

Here's another pic of some Australian Hotties you might like too!!!

Jason

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[Guest]

Hey Jason ...do you know something my wife doesnt know !? Aussie Shielas rule !, OK....... where were we..... Ah the liner ...that is the one. Do you happen to know what happened to it ? Rumoured to be in a boatyard up the Gold Coast somewhere a couple of years ago. That looks like Sydney Harbour in the pic, pretty rough water too. Thanks for your help.

[Guest]

Hey Jason ...Sorry no I don't know where it is now. Yes that's taken at the start of an ocean race in Sydney.

Jason

[Guest]

Lovely model. The boats nice as well!