Torpedo Experimental Establishment Explained

Type:	Research Department
Agency Name:	Torpedo Experimental Establishment
Formed:	1943
Dissolved:	1959
Preceding1:	Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich
Jurisdiction:
Headquarters:	Greenock, Scotland
Chief1 Name:	Superintendent, Torpedo Experiment and Design

The Torpedo Experimental Establishment (T.E.E.) also known as the Admiralty Torpedo Experimental Establishment was a former research department of the British Department of Admiralty from 1947 to 1959. It was responsible for the design, development and production of torpedoes for the Royal Navy. In 1959 its work and staff merged with the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment. The department was administered by the Superintendent, Torpedo Experiment and Design.^[1]

History

Research into the development of torpedoes first occurred during the end of the 19th century. Initially this took place at the Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich. Further research work was then undertaken at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock, Scotland with additional torpedo experimentation being undertaken by a private contractor, the Whitehead Torpedo Company based in Weymouth, Dorset.^[2]

In 1937, the Admiralty acquired another factory at Alexandria, Scotland, to boost production. With the advent of World War Two the Whitehead Company barely maintained the production outputs required of them. In 1943 the Admiralty decided to set up an additional department at their factory. Collectively these centers of research and development became known as the Torpedo Experimental Establishment. It continued to operate until 1959 when it was closed. Its work was continued by the newly created Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment (AUWE) based at Portland, Dorset, England.^{[3] [4]}

The establishment was administered the Superintendent, Torpedo Experiment and Design.^[5]

Superintendent, Torpedo Experiment and Design

Included:^{[6] [7] [8]}

1. 1942–1950, Captain F. T. de. M. Morgan. (also Superintendent Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock)
2. 1951–1958, H. Turner. (also Superintendent Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Alexandria)
3. 1958–1959, Captain G. O. Symonds.^[9]

Sources

1. Archives, National (1930–1960). "Admiralty: Royal Navy Torpedo Factory and Torpedo Experimental Establishment: Reports and Technical Notes". Richmond, London, England: The National Archives.
2. Commons, House of (1959). "Torpedo Experimental Establishment, Greenock (Hansard, 8 July 1959)". api.parliament.uk. Hansard.
3. Great Britain, Admiralty (1945). The Navy List. London, England: H.M. Stationery Office.
4. Great Britain, Admiralty (1946). The Navy List. London, England: H.M. Stationery Office.
5. Great Britain, Admiralty (1956). The Navy List. London, England: H.M. Stationery Office.
6. Harding, Richard (2002). The Royal Navy 1930-1990: Innovation and Defense. Cambridge, England: Routledge. .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Archives . National . Admiralty: Royal Navy Torpedo Factory and Torpedo Experimental Establishment: Reports and Technical Notes . The National Archives . 13 January 2019 . Richmond, London, England . 1930–1960.
2. National Archives UK
3. National Archives UK
4. Web site: Commons . House of . Torpedo Experimental Establishment, Greenock (Hansard, 8 July 1959) . api.parliament.uk . Hansard . 13 January 2019 . 8 July 1959.
5. National Archives UK
6. Book: Great Britain . Admiralty . The Navy List . October 1945 . H.M. Stationery Office . London, England . 2301.
7. Book: Great Britain . Admiralty . The Navy List . July 1946 . H.M. Stationery Office . London, England . 1829.
8. Book: Great Britain . Admiralty . The Navy List . April 1956 . H.M. Stationery Office . London, England . 1312.
9. Book: Harding . Richard . The Royal Navy 1930-1990: Innovation and Defense . 2002 . Routledge . Cambridge, England . 9781135753719 . 114 . en.