Tom the Torpedo...
Robert Whitehead became interested in remotely controlling and detonating underwater explosive charges, and in 1868 had successfully demonstrated a practical torpedo design. The British Navy became interested and after purchasing some of the torpedos, encouraged Whitehead to set up a manufacturing facility in England.
Whitehead bought an eight acre site at Ferry Bridge, and built a factory which produced torpedos, using Portland Harbour for testing. Before the turn of the century he was manufacturing 14 and 18 inch diameter units with a range of 1000 yards and a speed of 20 knots.
The arrival of Whiteheads at Wyke Regis meant a considerable influx of skilled engineers and tradesmen, all of whom needed houses, schools, and places to relax. Over the following years streets of red bricked terraced houses appeared alongside the cottages of old Wyke, as well as a new school and pubs and clubs.
After Whitehead’s death, production carried on day and night to support World War 1, but after the war the demand fell and the factory shut down. In 1923 Vickers bought the site, and in response to threats from Germany a massive modernisation of the works was initiated, and by the start of the Second World War some 1500 men and women were employed.
When peace was declared in 1945, the yard again found itself in difficulties, and although production reduced substantially, design and development work carried on including wire-guided and rocket propelled units. The last test firing of a Whitehead 21 inch torpedo produced at Ferry Bridge took place in Weymouth Bay in 1966.
The torpedo on display was donated to Portland Marina by the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport and it is a Mk 8, which was the mainstay submarine torpedo of WW 2 being responsible for the destruction of over two million tons of enemy shipping. The propulsion unit is a radial four cylinder semi-diesel engine, developing 350 BHP, giving a range of 5000 yards at 45.5 knots.
Tom was restored and painted with the help of the Dorset Submariners Association, the members kindly donated their time to ensure Tom is resplendant in his original colours. Our thanks and appreciation go to the members who can be seen in the photos above.
