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NAVAL TORPEDO CORPS est. 1878

The torpedoes referred to here are Submarine Torpedoes or what are today known as Sea Mines.

The Naval Torpedo Corps was established in 1878. They were sworn is as volunteers in a similar manner to the Naval Reserve and, until 1882 had responsibility for defensive submarine mines. About 1882, possibly in July, the Corps relinquished responsibility for defensive submarine torpedos (mines) and took on responsibilty for offensive torpedoes.

1870, 4 November

Torpedo and Signal Corps established.1

1871, 25 September

Rules of Torpedo and Telegraph Corps published.2

1878, 10 July

Victorian Naval Forces takes over control of submarine torpedo operations.3
New corps known as the Naval Torpedo Corps.

1881, 5 March

Torpedo explosion off Queenscliff killing five men.

1882, 26 July

Victorian Military Torpedo Corps established.4

1882 -

Role of Naval Torpedo Corps changes from responsibility for defensive submarine mines to responsibilty for offensive torpedoes as fired from torpedo boats.





Our Torpedo Defences

LEFT - Contact mine.    TOP MIDDLE - Plan of torpedo field.    RIGHT - Ground mine
BOTTOM - Putting down mines. Torpedo boat lowering mines, mines beneath surface of the water.
Australasian Sketcher, 1 June 1885





Our Torpedo Defences

TOP LEFT - Half pound disc gun cotton -- Exterior and interior of fuse -- Circuit Closer Jacket
TOP MIDDLE - Torpedo in position & Interior Mechanism (note firing wire)
TOP RIGHT - Circuit Closer & Exploding a torpedo
BOTTOM - Tween decks of the Deborah, Torpedo cases in readiness.
Australasian Sketcher, 6 June 1878

Circuit Closer Jacket (upside down)

The Circuit Closer Jacket, shown upside down, was attached to the torpedo case by a chain and anchored to the seafloor by another chain & sinker. The jacket floated just beneath the surface. These torpedoes could be detonated by contact or remotely. The circuit closing mechanism (shown on top of the jacket & enlarged) was not normally visible as it was inside the mine.

Photographed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.		 Torpedo in Position &
Interior Mechanism

TOP - Circuit Closer
MIDDLE - Torpedo containing 250 pounds of Gun Cotton & Fuses
BOTTOM - Sinker & Firing Wire




"The Torpedo Corps consisted of eight persons, under the command of Mr. Murray. This gentleman stated that he studied the work of an electrician, as connected with torpedoes, in Melbourne, under Captain Mandeville, since his appointment to the Naval Torpedo Corps in 1878. Prior to that time he had for a number of years been an officer in the Telegraph Department. The other members of the corps who were examined gave evidence similar in character. The only member of the corps who had received previous training was the late Mr. Groves, who was next in command to Mr. Murray. "Mr. Murray had the management of the torpedoes generally, but the practical part was performed by the late Mr. Groves." Torpedo Accident Report, 1880/1.





CAUSE & EFFECT
A Liberal Goverment Disbanding The Torpedo Corps To Save Expense.
Behold The Result! And Calculate The Gain To The Country.
Melbourne Punch, 10 March 1881

1 Victorian Government Gazette, 4 November 1870
2 Regulations under the Discipline Act 1870 & Rules of The Torpedo and Telegraph Corps.
3 The Argus, 13 July 1878
4 The Argus, 26 July 1882

Many thanks to John Underwood whose collection of government reports and research was invaluable in compiling the above information.