The British Human Torpedo (Chariot) Mark I
Length 22’ 3” 6.8meters
Breadth 2’ 9”
Height 4’ 0” (at shield)
Speed 2.5 knots
Weight 3,500lbs (with warhead)
Depth 90’
Range 5 hours (mileage dependant on sea currents)
Armament Battery operated detonation system SEE WARHEAD PHOTOGRAPH
Crew 2
Built by Stothard & Pitt (Crane Makers)
British Underwater Suits
Body made from light rubberised twill
Head piece formed by standard army gas mask joined to dress at neck. On top salvus release valve set to 0.45lbs/sq.in.. Face piece held in position by three webbing straps.
Two eye pieces removed by unscrewing.
D.S.E.A nose clip.
Breathing apparatus
Oxygen rebreather system
Mouth piece converted D.S.E.A with a two way exhaust cock fitted to heart shaped plate secured to mask.
Black rubber breathing bag weighted. Fitted with CO2 absorbent canister holding 4lbs 5ozs of Protosorb of 8-12 or 8-14 mesh.
Endurance. 6 hours 30 feet.
Aluminium alloy oxygen bottles hold 304 litres normal working pressure 150Ats. Each bottle fitted with standard “Novox” type shut off valve
Canvass boots with fitted 5lb lead sole. 1.25 lbs weights can be added.
SUBMARINE CONTAINER
Fitted to the deck of a submarine and used to carry the “Chariots” to avoid them being crushed by water pressure at depth.
Length 22’2”
Width 4’11” (Interior)
Height 5’ 4” (Exterior)
High Pressure air charging
Battery ventilation valve
Battery charging point
Wooden rails for trolley bogey.
Securing bar and holding down strops.
BRITISH CHARIOT MARK II
Designed by Commander S.M.Terry R.N. 21:10:1942
Principal advantages are:-
Streamlined for more speed and economical propulsion.
Crew sit inside back to back.
A Larger warhead
Better controls
Length 30’6”
Diameter 2’6”
Max height 3’3”
Weight 5,200lbs (with warhead)
Armament 1,000lb explosive charge (weight 1500lbs)
Max speed 4.5 knots @ 655 r.p.m
Range 5-6 hours at full speed
Depth 600’
Operational depth Limited to 30’
The Italian machine
Siluro Lenta Corsa “Maiale”
Length 7.3 m (without warhead 6.7m)
Breadth 0.533m
Height (at shield)
Speed 3 knots powered by an electric motor 1.1 hp.
Weight 3,500lbs (with warhead)
Depth 25 meters
Range 6 hours (distance dependant on sea currents)
Armament 220 kg explosive warhead with battery operated detonation system
Crew 2
Belloni special rubber diving suit.
Zip fastener central OPENING
Oxygen re-breather
6 hours
Mark II Siluro San Bartolomeo SSB (1943)
Number manufactured 9
This Mark II machine was considerable larger than the SLC having been dramatically increased in diameter that allowed the two operators to sit in the hull. With just their heads visible above the cockpit the streamlined effect gave extra speed.
At the end of the war 14 partially completed at the Taliedo and Rovereto factories.
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