The torpedo was discovered in the waters off the San Diego coast

May 20, 2013 06:27 GMT  ·  By
Rare Howell torpedo (not pictured) discovered by dolphins working with the US Navy
   Rare Howell torpedo (not pictured) discovered by dolphins working with the US Navy

Navy dolphins Ten and Spetz are now getting tons of media attention, all thanks to their having discovered a rare Howell torpedo dating back to the 19th century.

Specialists say that, when it was designed and manufactured about 130 years ago, this torpedo (and 49 others of its kind) made history as one of the first to propel itself.

“It was the first torpedo that could be released into the ocean and follow a track,” a specialist told members of the press.

USA Today says that the torpedo was discovered in the waters off the San Diego coast. Because of its spending several decades under the water, the torpedo is no longer operable.

Following its being successfully recovered, the torpedo is to be cleaned and put on display in Washington, at the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Commenting on Ten and Spetz's achievement, a spokesperson for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific argued as follows:

“Dolphins naturally possess the most sophisticated sonar known to man. We've never found anything like this. Never.”