Bliss-Leavitt Mark 2 torpedo

• Name — Bliss-Leavitt Mark 2 torpedo • Origin — United States • Type — Anti-surface ship torpedo • Is Ranged — yes • Is Explosive — yes • Is Missile — yes • Service — 1905–1922 • Used By — United States Navy • Designer — Frank McDowell Leavitt • Manufacturer — E. W. Bliss Company • Design Date — 1905 • Variants — Mod 1 • Weight — approximately 1500 pounds • Length — 197 inches (5.0 meters) • Diameter — 21 inches (53.34 centimeters) • Range — 3500 yards • Filling — wet guncotton • Filling Weight — approximately 200 pounds • Detonation — War Nose Mk 5 contact exploder • Engine — Contra-rotating turbine • Speed — 26 knots • Guidance — gyroscope • Launch Platform — battleships, torpedo boats and cruisers

The design of the Bliss-Leavitt Mark 1 torpedo was revolutionary, but not without problems. The single-stage turbine engine drove a single propeller, which had a tendency to develop unbalanced torque and thus to roll in the water, affecting its accuracy. This problem was corrected by Navy Lieutenant Gregory Davison in the Mark 2 by using a twin-turbine engine driving twin propellers, thus steadying the torpedo's trajectory. The Mark 2 was a "hot-running" torpedo, propelled by heated air. About 250 units were built by E. W. Bliss for the US Navy. The Bliss-Leavitt Mark 2 was launched from battleships, torpedo boats and cruisers.