Howell torpedo

Howell torpedo
Howell torpedo at the Naval War College Museum in Newport, Rhode Island
Type	Anti-surface ship torpedo[1]
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1890–1898[2]
Used by	United States Navy
Production history
Designer	John A. Howell[2]
Designed	1870[2]
Manufacturer	Hotchkiss Ordnance Company[2]
Produced	1889[2]
No. built	50 units[2]
Specifications
Mass	580 lbs[2] (263.1 kg)
Length	132 inches[2]
Diameter	14.2 inches[2] (335.3 cm)
Effective firing range	400 yards[2] (365.8 m)
Warhead	wet guncotton[2]
Warhead weight	100 lbs[2] (45.4 kg)
Detonation mechanism	Contact device
Engine	Flywheel[2]
Maximum speed	25 knots[2]
Launch platform	Battleships and torpedo boats[1]

The Howell Automobile Torpedo was the first self-propelled torpedo produced in quantity by the United States Navy, which referred to it as the Howell Mark I torpedo.^[1] It was conceived by Lieutenant Commander John A. Howell, United States Navy, in 1870, using a 60 kg (130 lb) flywheel spun at a very high speed (10000 to 12000 rpm) to store energy and drive propellers.