muzzle loading depth charge thrower
Report a Mistake- Object Number 19590025-001
- Event 1939-1945 Second World War
- Affiliation --
- Artist / Maker / Manufacturer --
- Date Made --
- Category Tools and equipment for science and technology
- Sub-category Armament, artillery
- Department Arms and Technology
- Museum CWM
- Brand Name / Model MK IV (1)
- Materials Metal
- Service Component Royal Canadian Navy
- Measurements Height 182.0 cm, Width 150.0 cm
- Caption Depth Charge Thrower, Mk. IV
- Additional Information Filled with some 135 kilograms of high explosive, depth charge canisters were rolled off the attacking ship's stern or launched over its side. After sinking to a pre-set depth, the charges exploded with the aim of destroying the submarine with their shock waves. Oil or debris floating on the surface indicated success.
- Caption Depth Charge Thrower, Mk. IV
- Additional Information Filled with some 135 kilograms of high explosive, depth charge canisters were rolled off the attacking ship's stern or launched over its side. After sinking to a pre-set depth, the charges exploded with the aim of destroying the submarine with their shock waves. Oil or debris floating on the surface indicated success.
- Caption Depth Charge and Thrower
- Additional Information For the first part of the war, depth charges were the main weapon used against submarines by Canadian and Allied warships. Depth charges (top) were cylinders packed with explosives. They could be dropped into the water from rails on the stern of warships, or fired over a ship's side from throwers like the example seen here. After sinking to a pre-set depth, the charges exploded with the aim of destroying the submarine with their shock waves. Requiring experience and considerable luck for their effective use, they had to be detonated within a few metres of the submarine's tough hull to have any effect.