A torpedo developed by the Japanese. It was nicknamed the "Long Lance" and it lived up to its name. While other torpedoes used steam propulsion for their torpedoes, the Japanese came up with the concept of using pure, compressed oxygen to propel their torpedoes. The advantages of oxygen propulsion were no wake, longer range, and typically faster speed than the steam-propelled ones. These were used to devastating effect during the sea battles of Guadalcanal. With the combination of both speed and damage, these torpedoes were some of the few naval weapons that allowed small ships like destroyers to heavily damage or even sink a battleship. | A torpedo developed by the Japanese. It was nicknamed the "Long Lance" and it lived up to its name. While other torpedoes used steam propulsion for their torpedoes, the Japanese came up with the concept of using pure, compressed oxygen to propel their torpedoes. The advantages of oxygen propulsion were no wake, longer range, and typically faster speed than the steam-propelled ones. These were used to devastating effect during the sea battles of Guadalcanal. With the combination of both speed and damage, these torpedoes were some of the few naval weapons that allowed small ships like destroyers to heavily damage or even sink a battleship. |