The Brennan Torpedo was designed by Louis Brennan. Brennan came up with the idea having seen a planning machine at work in 1874.
By 1878 Brennan had a working version, the British Admiralty sent a representative to investigate the weapon and report back. Following the report a grant was eventually awarded for the weapon in March 1879.
In 1881 following an inspection by a committee of Royal Engineers the torpedo was recommended for improvement at the cost of the government. The Royal Engineers then held trials between 1883 and 1885 and by 1886 the torpedo was recommended for use in harbour defence. The Royal Engineers’ use of the the torpedo was due to the fact they were responsible for the defence of Britain’s shores.
The Brennan Torpedo subsequently became a standard harbour defence weapon throughout the British Empire for 15 years but by 1905 it was recommended the weapon be removed from all fixed defences due to its short range and issues arising from launching it at night.
The Brennan Torpedo is considered the worlds first practical guided missile.
These photos show the remains of a Brennan Torpedo Launch Slip and the remains of another that has been filled in.
