Chariots were British "manned torpedoes" deployed in World War II on which two frogmen rode into action after launching from a submarine. They then attached an explosive charge beneath an enemy ship and returned to the submarine.

Design

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• Chariot Mark 1, 6.8 m (22 feet 4 inches) long, 0.9 m (2 feet 11 inches) wide, 1.2 m (3 feet 11 inches) high, speed 2.5 knots (4.9 km/h), weight: 1.6 tonnes, maximum diving depth: 27 m. Endurance 5 hours (distance depended on water current). Its control handle was $\backslash infty$-shaped. 34 were made.
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• Chariot Mark II, 30 ft 6 in (9.3 m) long, 2 ft 6 in (0.8 m) diameter, 3 ft 3 in (1 m) maximum height, weight 5200 pounds (2359 kg), max speed 4.5 knots, range 5-6 hours at full speed, had two riders, who sat back to back. 30 were made.

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Both types were made by Stothert and Pitt (crane makers) at Bath, Somerset.

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Use in action

"The only completely successful British Chariot operation" occurred on 28-29 October 1944. Two crews on Mk II Chariots, commanded by Lieutenant Tony Eldridge RNVR, were launched from the submarine HMS Trenchant

HMS Trenchant (P331)

HMS Trenchant was a British T class submarine of the Second World War.On completion she was given over to the crew of HMS Thrasher whose submarine was due for a refit.-Service:...

 and sank two ships in Japanese-occupied Phuket Harbour, Siam.

See also

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• For information on British manned torpedo operations, see British commando frogmen
  British commando frogmen
  Britain's commando frogman force is now the Special Boat Service , which is part of the Royal Marines. They perform various operations on land as well as in the water....
  
  .

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