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Military Dolphins Discover 1800s Torpedo

Posted by timothy on from the dolphins-what-can't-they-do? dept.

First time accepted submitter The0retical writes "A couple of mine-sweeping dolphins dredged up what is known as a 'Howell torpedo' dating from 1870 to 1889. Only 50 were ever produced, this being the second example known to exist. The 11-foot-long brass torpedo had a maximum range and speed of 400 yards at 25 knots. The new example will be displayed at Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Wash. alongside the only other example."

8 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. The unwritten story by ColdWetDog · · Score: 5, Funny

    What was left unsaid (by the dolphins) was how many times the critters have found 'unintended' things and not told their handlers about it, but instead squirreled it away to their underwater hideout, planning for the eventual overthrow of human kind. They just felt that since this was so old and unusable, there was no harm in telling the Navy guys.

    Besides, they were hungry and wanted a snack.

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  2. A more informative article link by Fluffeh · · Score: 5, Informative

    From the LA times.

    Serious editors, that link is even provided at the bottom of the crappy summary article you folks pointed to - and it is MUCH more in-depth.

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    1. Re:A more informative article link by Dan+East · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Meant to be launched from above the water or submerged torpedo tubes, the Howell torpedo was made of brass, 11 feet long, driven by a 132-pound flywheel spun to 10,000 rpm before launch. It had a range of 400 yards and a speed of 25 knots.

      Clever design. The energy in the flywheel was used for propulsion, but it also created a gyroscopic effect that helped it track in a straight line.

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  3. Re: Wait, dolphins? by TheGreenNuke · · Score: 5, Informative

    They operate as part of the US Navy Marine Mammal Program In the early days of the program, various marine mammal species were considered including: killer whales, pilot whales, belugas (white whales), Steller sea lions, grey seals and fur seals. Other animals were used in various studies pertaining to locating personnel from downed aircraft and creating effective shark deterrents to protect them until they could be rescued.

  4. Re:50 or 2? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Only 50 were ever produced, this being the second example known to exist."

    If there are 50 produced, then there are 50 known to exist.

    There are 50 known to have existed, but many of them may no longer exist. See, torpedoes occasional blow themselves up, a minor design flaw that means they sometimes stop existing, at least in the form of a torpedo.

  5. False positives? by Kwyj1b0 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The LA times report mentions that another dolphin had alerted them a few days ago, but the operator didn't send anyone to check it out because they didn't expect to find anything. Does the system have a large number of false positives?

  6. Makes no Sense by craigminah · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So only two are known to exist? Why display them both at the same location? Do people who see one need to see the other or can you share your rare discovery with more than one museum? I'd think having the only two torpedoes of a type at the same location would risk losing them both if something were to happen to that facility (e.g. fire).

  7. Re:That sound you hear... by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't you mean steaming their pants?

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