238
MESSES. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS.
guide tits in the tube over a sufficient length, to with-
stand the considérable pressure of water when the vessel
is moving at a high speed. Two grooves are cut inside the
tube, and at the two ends of the vertical diameter in which
fit the torpedo guides.
When a torpedo is placed in the tube and the breech-
valve is not completely closed, and to prevent launching
the torpedo until the guide is in place. The tube can be
made in such a manner that the above operations follow
each other automatically, and to obtain this but few
alterations in the accessory gear are necessary. In this
case, the launching of the torpedo is effected by simply
Fig. 791. Torpedo Tube for Firing Below Water Line.
Sclmeider-Canet Submarine Tubes.
cover is closed, the valve is opened by acting on the work-
ing lever : the guide is placed in its position by introducing
water under pressure in the cylinder in the rear of the
piston. When the torpedo is launched, these operations
are repeated inversel y and the valve closed. Safety
device« ave provided to prevent the opening of the valve
as long as the breech-cover is not closed, and to
stop all forward motion of the guide as long as the
acting on a suitably-designed lever. The necessary water
under pressure for working the guide can be suppliée! by
a special pump or by accumulators, in which compressée!
air from the torpedo compressors is allowed to expand.
The air which serves to launch the torpedoes is held in
a reservoir placed at the top part of the tube, and provided
in the rear witli a bent pipe which extends to the rear
of the tube.