 As was standard for warships of the period , the Mackensens were equipped with submerged torpedo tubes . There were five 60 cm ( 24 in ) tubes : one in the bow , and two on each flank of the ship . The torpedoes were the H8 type , which were 9 m ( 30 ft ) long and carried a 210 kg ( 463 lb ) Hexanite warhead . The torpedoes had a range of 8 @,@ 000 m ( 8 @,@ 700 yd ) when set at a speed of 35 knots ( 65 km / h ; 40 mph ) ; at a reduced speed of 28 knots ( 52 km / h ; 32 mph ) , the range increased significantly to 15 @,@ 000 m ( 16 @,@ 000 yd ) . 
