Collision head of a 14" torpedo used in an exercise against HMS 'Zealandia' August 1913. It has an impact crumpled nose. The torpedo head has been converted for use as a domestic letter box. The letter slot is reinforced with a brass surround and a brass door has been added to remove the mail. the item stands on a wooden base. Converted into letter box by Captain W.P. Gandell RN who was 'Zealandia's' Torpedo Lieutenant at the time of the exercise.
'Before the First World War, in Aug 1913, while HMS Zealandia, Captaint T.D.L. Shepherd CB MVO, was lying by herself in Poole Bay, an exercise night attack was made on her by two picket boats, each armed with two 14" torpedoes. For exercises the explosive heads used in war were replaced by collision heads designed to cushion the impact of a hit; at the end of its run the torpedo floated on the surface and was recovered. The ship had her net defence rigged, but one torpedo struck her a glancing blow on the port quarter just abaft the netsand this flattened the collision head on the slope.
I was the ship's torpedo lieutenant at this time and had this head made into a letter box, which thereafter was always used as the ship's letterbox. About 1919 when she was being prepared for sale as scrap it was given to me' [signed and dated] W P Gandell. 23/10/70