Hedgehog (weapon)
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The Hedgehog was a forward-throwing anti-submarine mortar that was used primarily during the Second World War. The device, which was developed by the Royal Navy, fired up to 24 spigot mortars ahead of
On HMS Westcott, November 1945
USS Moberly makes a Hedgehog attack against U-853 in 1945.
A large white upwelling of water from an underwater explosion just ahead of Moberly's bow following Hedgehog launch
USS Sarsfield after firing dual Hedgehogs, 1950
Depth charge
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A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon designed to destroy submarines by detonating in the water near the target and subjecting it to a destructive hydraulic shock. Most depth charges use
Hedgehog (weapon)
…spigot mortars ahead of a ship when attacking a U-boat. It was deployed on convoy escort warships such as destroyers and corvettes to supplement the depth charges. As the mortar projectiles employed contact fuzes rather than time or bathymetric (depth) fuzes, detonation occurred directly against a hard surface…
US World War II Mark IX depth charge. Streamlined and equipped with fins to impart rotation, allowing it to fall in a straight trajectory with less chance of drifting off target. This depth charge contained 200 lb (91 kg) of Torpex.
The Mk 101 Lulu was a US nuclear depth bomb operational from 1958 to 1972
Depth charges on USS Cassin Young (DD-793)
Depth charge exploding after being released by HMS Ceylon