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depth charge
depth charge explosive device used against submarines and other underwater targets, either rolled into the water from rails on the stern of a ship or propelled from depth charge throwers. The charge is detonated by water pressure at a predetermined depth. It does not have to come into actual contact with the target to destroy it, since the concussion can accomplish this if the charge explodes near enough. First used by the British navy in World War I, it contributed significantly to the defeat of the German U-boat campaign. |
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Cite this article
"depth charge." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "depth charge." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-depthcha.html "depth charge." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-depthcha.html |
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depth charge
depth charge, a weapon designed during the First World War (1914–18) for use against submerged submarines. It comprised a canister filled with explosive and fitted with a hydrostatically controlled pistol which detonated the explosive at a pre-selected depth. Modern developments include a nuclear explosive to widen the lethal area of explosion, and the introduction of an active homing device which draws it close to the target before it explodes.
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Cite this article
"depth charge." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "depth charge." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-depthcharge.html "depth charge." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-depthcharge.html |
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depth charge
depth charge • n. an explosive charge designed to be dropped from a ship or aircraft and to explode under water at a preset depth, used for attacking submarines. |
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Cite this article
"depth charge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "depth charge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-depthcharge.html "depth charge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-depthcharge.html |
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depth charge
depth charge also depth bomb an explosive charge designed to be dropped from a ship or aircraft and to explode underwater at a preset depth, used for attacking submarines.
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Cite this article
"depth charge." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "depth charge." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-depthcharge.html "depth charge." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-depthcharge.html |
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