Downtown in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mark 14 Torpedo
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 25, 2024
1. Mark 14 Torpedo Marker
This 3,000-lb torpedo was used aboard U.S. subs from 1938 to 1976. Powered by an alcohol and compressed air-fueled steam generator, it traveled at 53 mph for more than two miles. Not properly tested during its development, the torpedo had a number of problems, including running deeper than set, causing it to pass harmlessly under enemy ships. Its top-secret magnetic detonator often caused premature detonations and the backup contact exploder often failed to fire the warhead when the the magnetic detonator was turned off! It took the Navy two years to correct the problems. By June, 1944 the Mk. 14 was working reliably most of the time and Japanese shipping losses skyrocketed. The visible exhaust wake from its powerplant could help the enemy locate the sub's firing point. This Mk. 14 is fitted with a yellow exercise head that aided in its recovery after a test firing. Warheads were unpainted and contained 600 lbs of high explosives. Cod carried 24 torpedoes.
Erected by USS Cod Memorial.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1944.
Location. 41° 30.597′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hanson Torpedo Truck (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Cod (a few steps from this marker); Depthcharge damage to Cod's deck plates (a few steps from this marker); USS Cod Pearl Harbor Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Cod's 7-Ton Gun (a few steps from this marker); Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 25, 2024
2. Mark 14 Torpedo Marker
Also see . . . Mark 14 Torpedo. Excerpt:
The Mark 14 torpedo was the United States Navy's standard submarine-launched anti-ship torpedo of World War II. This weapon was plagued with many problems which crippled its performance early in the war. It was supplemented by the Mark 18 electric torpedo in the last two years of the war. From December 1941 to November 1943 the Mark 14 and the destroyer-launched Mark 15 torpedo had numerous technical problems that took almost two years to fix. After the fixes, the Mark 14 played a major role in the devastating blow U.S. Navy submarines dealt to the Japanese naval and merchant marine forces during the Pacific War.(Submitted on June 2, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 25, 2024
3. Mark 14 Torpedo
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
