The more things change
Loading a torpedo in an early U.S. submarine, 1900s. Note monitor in the background:
A submarine crewman guiding a torpedo through the loading hatch on USS Adder (Submarine Torpedo Boat No. 3), Cavite Navy Yard, Philippines. 1912:
“Loading Submarine Torpedoes. Three men guide the torpedo as it is lowered to the deck of the submarine at New London, Connecticut, circa 1943”:
80-G-K-16059
USS Greenfish (SS-351) loading a torpedo, 1950s, by John Houlden NHHC
191018-N-UN744-1196 HAAKONSVERN NAVAL BASE, Norway (Oct. 18, 2019) Sailors assigned to the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) guide a Mark 48 advanced capability torpedo during an expeditionary ordnance onload at Haakonsvern Naval Base in Bergen, Norway, Oct. 18, 2019. Minnesota, the 10th ship of the Virginia class, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Travis Simmons/Released)
Speaking of which, I for one am really tickled that the Torpedoman’s Mate rate is back. Check out the below on them just put out by Big Navy. These days, they also fill the role of a GMG in the surface Navy, which makes sense.
