The Velocipede Torpedo

The Pennyfarthing Morpheus
The Velocipede Torpedo

The velocipede torpedo was an auxiliary weapon carried by some landships. The torpedo's small reservoir was charged with steam from the ship's boiler just before launching. The torpedo was then lowered over the side on davits, and the engine valve opened with a long lanyard. Steam fed from the reservoir through the frame to the valve and cylinder, which powered the front wheel by means of a long drive rod. The torpedo carried a primitive shaped charge in a conical iron cup on the front. Though very inaccurate, the torpedoes would often cause violent maneuvering on the part of the target vessel, temporarily preventing return fire while the attacking ship aimed its own guns.

Left:
Bicycle torpedo stowed behind the stacks of HMLS Ogress.

Right:
The two common types:
tricycle and bicycle torpedoes.

Construction
The torpedoes in the photos are made from inexpensive metal miniatures intended as Christmas-tree ornaments. They just happened to be the right size for 25mm figures. Steam reservoirs and warheads are beads. Cylinders are brass tubing.

Bicycle Torpedoes to Print and Cut Out
Click here for a downloadable image of this Webley/Vickers Mk. VI Perfected Velocipede Torpedo which you can print out to make your own 2-D torpedo model.

Now all you need is a landship...

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