Torpedo board

The so-called Japanese torpedoes appear to be an American invention. They contain a paper cap placed between two masses of gravel, and in general require to be thrown somewhat harder than silver torpedoes to make them explode. The same torpedo board is used as in the manufacture of silver torpedoes, but a gravel board which holds only about half as much gravel. After the gravel has been put in the paper cups, a paper cap, still moist, is placed on top of it, more gravel, substantially equal in amount to that already in the cup, is added to each, and the tops are twisted. 

Combustion of powdered aluminum with steam is a potentially attractive propulsion system for torpedoes, because of the very high-energy density (energy per unit volume) that can be achieved. Since the oxidizer can be taken from the environment, on-board storage is required only for the aluminum propellant. A study of potential torpedo propellant/oxidizer combinations including Al, Zr, Mg, and Li metals, hydrocarbon fuels, and typical solid rocket propellants, and... 

On 7 April 1989, a fire broke out in the stem section of the Komsomolets nuclear submarine. The submarine sank to a depth of 1685 m at 73°43T6"N, 13°15 52"E, near the south-west of Bear Island. The site is about 300 nautical miles from the Norwegian coast. The wreck contains one nuclear reactor and two nuclear warheads, one of which was fractured. The radionuclide inventory includes 1.5 PBq Sr, 2 PBq Cs, about 16 TBq " Pu in the two warheads and 5 TBq of actinides in the reactor s core. During June/July 1994, an international expedition to the Komsomolets site at the request of the Russian Federation was organised. The objectives of the scientific cmise on board the R/V Mstislav Keldysh were to close nine door holes, including torpedo tubes, by capping them with titanium metal cover caps, and to sample and monitor for ambient radioactivity. A series of 280-600 1 sea-water samples collected in profile, a suite of surface sediments and cores and various biota samples were returned to lAEA-MEL for analysis. The results showed that a very limited leakage of caesium and tritium had occurred from the submarine. 

Of late yean the subject of harbor defense by means of torpedoes used offensively against an attacking fleet, hsn ettracted greet attention, and a naval torpedo-station has b n established at Goat Island, Newport Harbor, for tire purpose of Instruction in their use end manegement on board vessels specially constructed for this object. See Toapxno-aoAT. 

A work, astonninj column, or a working party. In this sense a petard may be considered as a toi iwdo. Torpedoes for land defense are usually shells of small caliber, 6 and 12 pounders, provided with a percussion or friction device which causes an explosion when the ground over the torpedo is stepped on. Sometimes sevei l are laid in a row, and a piece of board placed over them to increase the chances of explosion. 

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