Torpedo warning device

[fumo30]

I noticed a mention of the torpedo warning device installed in T-2 turbine tanker in WW2.

http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/3372.html

Does anybody know more about this device?
I mean how it worked(Technical details), when was it introduced, was it in common use, was it effective(In this particular case it wasn't. See the link above) etc.?

[Dowly]

Hey fumo30

This is what I found:

Mark 29 Mine

On 3 September 1942 the Bureau of Ships informed CominCh that tests over the past eight months had brought a device, which had been developed jointly by BuShips and BuOrd from an idea proposed by Lt. Comdr. Carl H. Holm, USNR, to a point where it was ready for installation on vessels in service. The gear consisted of an acoustic streamer and one or more streamers loaded with high explosives which were to be towed alongside the vessel from a paravane towrope. The idea was that the sound of an approaching torpedo would be picked up by the acoustic device, which in turn set off the high explosive charge in one of the streamers at just the right moment to explode the torpedo and save the ship. What would happen to the ship from this double explosion alongside was a matter which was still not determined when the decision was made to place a large order. At least the torpedo would be exploded away from the ship.
[..]
Plans were quickly developed to retain the microphone on vessels which had been equipped with Mark 29 gear so that it could be used as a torpedo warning device. It was decided that BuShips should substitute a small amplifying panel to be connected with the wiring already installed. By 22 January 1944 BuShips had designed a new listening unit for ships which had carried the Mark 29 gear. This consisted of a towed hydrophone, an amplifier, and two loud speakers, one to be mounted in the pilot house and the other on the upper bridge of Liberty ships. This device was to be used to enable the ship to take evasive action upon the approach of a torpedo. CNO requested that the Maritime Commission install this Modified Mark 29 listening unit on all Liberty ships formerly equipped with the Mark 29 gear. BuShips furnished a handbook on installation and operation. The gear was placed under the cognizance of the Armed Guard officer for streaming, recovery, testing and maintenance. No special watch was required.
[..]
Not until 16 May 1945 did Operations order the listening unist on 61 merchant ships removed. This was done on a BuShips recommendation of 15 May. Most of the equipment was already inoperative. Armed Guard officers did not indicate that a single torpedo was ever detected by the device.

Source: https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN.../172-AG-3.html

This Australian war-time document also mentions it:

Certain United States merchant ships are now fitted
with Anti-torpedo devices known as Anti-torpedo device Mark 29.
The gear comprises a warning hydrophone towed astern
and a paravane towed from the bow on each side of the ship. The
towing wire is 305 feet in length and from it five streamers are
streamed parallel to the ship. These streamers, reading from
outboard, are (l) Detector streamer, (2) Explosive streamer,
(3) Explosive streamer 100 feet from ship's side, (2+) Short
stabilizing streamer and (5) Short stabilizing streamer.

Subject to certain safety restrictions being fulfilled, an operator in the ship's control room arms the device when
obtaining warning of approach of a torpedo on the hydrophone
circuit.
When the explosive streamers have been armed the
detector streamer will automatically fire the first explosive
streamer just as the torpedo passes under it thus damaging or
detonating the torpedo at a safe distance from the ship.
Limitations are:
(a) When armed, the device may be fired on receipt
of sounds which are not from torpedoes.
(b) Firing of the first steamer may damage the ship
sufficiently to put main machinery out of action particularly if
P.V's are not keeping the streamers at the correct distance from
the ship i.e. if course is altered.
The ship must reduce below convoy speed to stream and
recover gear and this may take tip to U hours, depending on
efficiency of crew.

Source: www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/1943_November.pdf

Hope this helps!

[fumo30]

WOW! That was all I wanted to know and a lot more.

Thank you very much for an extra-fast and exhaustive reply sir.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by fumo30

WOW! That was all I wanted to know and a lot more.

Thank you very much for an extra-fast and exhaustive reply sir.

You're welcome.

[Georgemeister]

Originally Posted by Dowly

You're welcome.

I learned a lot as well, thanks