Shortly after Whitehead's successful experi ments Captain Harvey, R.N., brought out his towing torpedo, which had a vogue wholly un warranted by its performance. but it was pleasing from its simplicity. About 1870 Commander (now Rear-Admiral ) Howell, TT. S. N., conceived the idea of applying the principle of the gyroscope to automobile torpedoes for the purpose not only of steering them, but to afford motive power as well. His torpedo was gradually improved until in 1898 it attained a speed of about 28 knots with almost perfect directive force. The application of the Obry gyroscopic gear to the otherwise perfected Whitehead, however, drove the Dowell out of the field, and it is now prac tically unused.
In 1873, while the success of the Whitehead remained uncertain in many minds, Mr. J. L. Lay brought out his first controllable torpedo, propelled by carbonic acid gas and directed by electricity through wires paid out from a reel in the torpedo as it advanced. The Lay was followed by a host of similar inventions, the Lay-Haight, Patrick, Nordenfelt, Brtmnan, Sims Edison, and others; but, although some are still officially in service, none are regarded as of much use in modern warfare. Controllable torpedoes, steered by wireless induction currents, have been under experiment.
The first Whitehead to be fired with hostile intent was directed at the Peruvian monitor Huascar by the British cruiser Shah, which sought to capture or destroy the former to pre vent her from further lawless attacks on British vessels. The shot failed because fired at too
great a distance. In 1891 two Chilean Govern ment torpedo vessels sank the insurgent armor clad Blanco Encalada with Whitehead torpedoes, and during the Japan-China War several ves sels were destroyed by them. The recent im provements in the range, speed, and directive force of Whitehead torpedoes, as well as in torpedo boats and firing appliances, has caused a con siderable change in naval opinion, which now- is inclined to regard the Whitehead as a most dangerous weapon; still it is not, as many un informed people seem to think, likely to take the leading part in future wars, because the danger from it may be greatly reduced by careful dis position of ships at night, proper scouting, and increasing vigilance. Moreover, since it is only useful against vessels and cannot support opera tions against coasts, fortifications, or men, it can never hope to displace the gun and the well protected gun-carrying warship.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. For further information, conBibliography. For further information, con- sult: Sleeman, Torpedoes and Torpedo Warfare (2d ed., Portsmouth, Eng., 1S89) ; Armstrong, Torpedoes and Torpedo Vessels (2d ed., London, 1902) ; Annual of the Office of Naval Intel ligence (U. S. Navy) ; Brassey, Nava/ An nual (Plymouth) ; Buchard, Torpilles et to• pilleurs (Paris, 1889) ; Proceedings of United States Naval Institute (Annapolis, quarterly). See articles on TORPEDO BOAT; TORPEDO BOAT, SUBMARINE ; TORPEDO DIRECTOR; etc.