Chariot manned torpedo

Schematic of two frogman going into action on a Mk I Chariot, wearing UBA Rebreathers

Mk II Chariot at Eden Camp Museum, UK. Crew of Mk II sat back-to-back in an enclosed cockpit

Chariots were British "manned torpedoes" deployed in World War II on which two frogmen rode into action after launching from a submarine. They then attached an explosive charge beneath an enemy ship and returned to the submarine.

Design

• Chariot Mark 1, 6.8 m (22 feet 4 inches) long, 0.9 m (2 feet 11 inches) wide, 1.2 m (3 feet 11 inches) high, speed 2.5 knots (4.6 km/h), weight: 1.6 tonnes, maximum diving depth: 27 m. Endurance 5 hours (distance depended on water current). Its control handle was $\infty$-shaped. 34 were made.
• Chariot Mark II, 30 ft 6 in (9.3 m) long, 2 ft 6 in (0.8 m) diameter, 3 ft 3 in (1 m) maximum height, weight 5200 pounds (2359 kg), max speed 4.5 knots, range 5-6 hours at full speed, had two riders, who sat back to back. 30 were made.^[1]

Both types were made by Stothert and Pitt (crane makers) at Bath, Somerset.

Use in action

"The only completely successful British Chariot operation"^[2] occurred on 28-29 October 1944. Two crews on Mk II Chariots, commanded by Lieutenant Tony Eldridge RNVR, were launched from the submarine HMS Trenchant and sank two ships in Japanese-occupied Phuket Harbour, Siam.

See also

• For information on British manned torpedo operations, see British commando frogmen.

Notes and references

1. ^ pp 61 & 62, Chariots of War, by Robert W. Hobson, publ. Ulric Publishing, Church Stretton, Shropshire, England, 2004, ISBN 0 954 1997 1 5
2. ^ As described by Lieutenant Eldridge in his description of the attack. Quoted in "The Imperial War Museum Book of the War at Sea . The Royal Navy in the Second World War" by Julian Thompson, published by Sidgwick & Jackson and Imperial War Museum, 1996, Page 245-246.

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