The Brennan Torpedo was the world's first guided missile. Patented by Louis Brennan in 1877, it worked by 2 propellors that were spun by rapidly pulling out wires from drums wound inside the torpedo. Differential speed on the wires connected to the shore station allowed the torpedo to be guided to its target, up to 2000 yards away.
The Brennantorpedo, invented around 1876, was the very first wire guided torpedo, and was similar in appearance to the modern day type, save that instead of being circular in cross-section it was fish shaped.
The torpedo was fitted with leading elevators controlled by a depth mechanism and with the fore and aft rudders operated by the differential between the drums.
Brennan was delighted and every year he would drive to the bank of England in a horse and cart and collect the equivalent of his fee in gold bars.
The Brennantorpedo, carrying a charge of explosive, travels under water and is propelled by unwinding two drums or reels of fine steel wire within the torpedo.
The stem orifice had a water-tight cover, which was removed on the torpedo being placed in the tube and the inner door closed; then, sufficient impulse being imparted to eject the torpedo, and its machinery being set in motion at the same time, it darted forward towards the enemy.
Tactics for torpedo attack in such circumstances have not therefore been laid down, and it is only necessary to consider the positions which are advantageous for the use of this weapon, and, conversely, what should be avoided when a vessel, finding herself overmatched in gunnery, seeks to redress the balance with torpedoes.
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