Torpedo protection net
Torpedo protection nets were nets made of steel rings that were hung around the idle warships , especially ships of the line and armored cruisers , in the manner of a crinoline , in order to protect the hull from contact with torpedoes .
After unsuccessful attempts and practical operational experience, the torpedo protection nets were not deployed on moving ships, as the current lifted the nets to the surface due to the buoyancy and at the same time there was a risk of them getting caught in the propellers. Since the torpedo explosion is only harmful if it takes place closer than about 3 to 6 meters from the ship, the torpedo protection nets were attached to the ends of a number of 4 to 7 meters long spars (poles) protruding horizontally from the hull that they hung about 6 meters deep vertically in the water. In this case, an old-style torpedo would remain ineffective on the torpedo protection net. During the First World War, torpedoes were given so-called net shears to overcome protective nets .
During the naval battles in World War I, it turned out that the torpedo nets, when they were torn by shrapnel, hung so far into the water and were dragged along by the ship that there was a risk that the nets could get into the propellers and block them. In order to prevent the risk of a ship becoming incapable of maneuvering, the Imperial Navy decided not to use these nets after the Battle of the Skagerrak and had them expanded on all ships.
Torpedo nets were also installed to protect dams from bombing raids.
literature
- German shipbuilding industry in 1913 . Salzwasser Verlag GmbH, Paderborn, ISBN 978-3-86444-502-6 .
- Captain Foss: Navy customer. A presentation of what is worth knowing in the field of maritime affairs, 1st edition, reprint of the original from 1901, Salzwasser Verlag, Paderborn, ISBN 978-3-84603-615-0 .
- Bartholomäus von Werner: The weapons at sea. 1st edition, reprint of the original from 1892, Salzwasser Verlag, Paderborn 2014, ISBN 978-3-84609-825-7 .