| Whitehead Mark 5 torpedo | |
| Origin: | Austria-Hungary |
| Type: | Anti-surface ship torpedo[1] |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Service: | 1910–1922 |
| Used By: | United States Navy[2] |
| Designer: | Robert Whitehead |
| Manufacturer: | Torpedofabrik Whitehead & Co.[3] Naval Torpedo Station Vickers Limited |
| Design Date: | 1901 |
| Weight: | 1452 pounds |
| Length: | 204 inches (5.18 meters) |
| Diameter: | 17.7 inches (45 centimeters) |
| Range: | 1000-4000 yards |
| Filling: | wet guncotton |
| Filling Weight: | 200 pounds |
| Detonation: | War Nose Mk 5 contact exploder |
| Engine: | 4-cylinder reciprocating |
| Speed: | 27-40 knots |
| Guidance: | gyroscope |
| Launch Platform: | battleships, torpedo boats and submarines |
The Whitehead Mark 5 torpedo was a Whitehead torpedo adopted by the United States Navy for use in an anti-surface ship role in 1910. The Mark 5 was the first torpedo to be manufactured by a foreign company, the Whitehead facility in the United Kingdom,[4] and in 1908, by the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island. It was also the first torpedo to allow the firing ship to vary the torpedo's speed and range.[2]
The Mark 5 was a "hot-running" (powered by heated air) torpedo, as opposed to previous Whitehead designs, which were "cold-running". It was similar in performance to the Bliss-Leavitt torpedoes of that era. Around 500 units were produced by the Naval Torpedo Station and Vickers Limited. The Mark 5 had variable speed; at a high speed of 40 knots, it had a range of 1000 yards. A low speed of 27 knots allowed the weapon a range of 4000 yards; at medium speed of 36 knots, its range was 2000 yards. This variable speed was set before loading the torpedo in its tube by adjusting the reducing valve.[2]
The Mark 5 was, however, overshadowed by the increasing efficiency and range of Bliss-Leavitt torpedoes. In 1922, all torpedoes prior to the Bliss-Leavitt Mark 7 torpedo in the US Navy's inventory were condemned in favor of more modern versions.[2]
The Mark 5 was launched from destroyers, torpedo boats and other small ships.