I'S 
 
 J- --135. - 
 
 m 
 
 MEl^ 
 
 
 ^^^^m 
 
 
 
 
 i-z-^^-i. 
 
 
 ■^3 
 
 "aJ* •03 
 
 
 
 
 
 m=M 
 
 
 
 ^^ssDSa^ 
 
afnrneU IttiuerattH ^Ilbrarg 
 
 Jltl;ara, Nem Qnth 
 
 BERNARD ALBERT SINN 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 NAVAL HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 BERNARD A. SINN. '97 
 
 1919 
 
V850 .use"'"'" """"""' ^"^ 
 
 Torpedoes : 
 
 olfn 
 
 3 1924 030 753 143 
 
B Cornell University 
 B Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030753143 
 
[U. S. Navy Regulation CmcuLAB No. 8.] 
 
 NAATY DEPARTMENT, 
 
 Washington, February 28, 1874. 
 
 The rate of Engineer's yeoman of the 1st, 2d and 3d classes is 
 hereby established. 
 
 They wUl be appointed by the senior Engineer, but all such 
 appointments must bear the approval of the commander of the 
 vessel, and be subject to the conditions of paragraph 892 Navy 
 RegTilations. They will receive the same pay as the ship's yeoman 
 of the ship to which they are attached, and wUl rank next after him 
 in the class ranking next after the master-at-arms. 
 
 Those of the 1st class wiU be allowed to steam-vessels of the 
 1st and 2d rate ; those of the 2d class wUl be allowed to steam- 
 vessels of the 3d rate, and those of the 3d class will be allowed to 
 steam-vessels of the 4th rate. 
 
 The regulations applying to the discharge of ship's yeoman, 
 relative to the accountability for stores &c., will also apply to the 
 discharge of Engineer's yeoman. 
 
 GEO. M. ROBESON, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy. 
 
JJcstriLctLorv of f Ac JS?^ Dohatbea. in 
 Walmcr Hood. . ~by -R^lert TuMxm. . 0ct.2§05 . 
 
TORPEDOES: 
 
 THEIR INVENTION AND USE, 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 FIRST APPIilCATIOlV TO THE ART OF WAR 
 
 TO 
 THE PRESE«fT TIME. 
 
 FOR THE USE OF THE OFFICERS OF THE COKJ'S 
 OF ENGINEERS. 
 
 Prepared under the direction of Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. DilLAFIELD 
 Chief of Engineers, 
 
 By Ji¥. R. KIIVO, 
 
 Capt. of Engineers and Bvt. Maj. U. S. A. 
 
 WASHINGTON : 
 1866. 
 
Washington, D, C, 
 
 August 1st, 1866. 
 General : 
 
 In compliance with your instructions to collect and prepare for 
 publication such information as could be obtained, relative to the inven- 
 tion and use of Torpedoes, the follovring pages have been prepared and 
 arc herewith submitted. 
 
 In giving the various reports and conimunications from officers, 
 additions, alterations and omissions have been avoided as far as practi- 
 cable; but in the translations, and extracts frc m other publications, the 
 object has been to condense them, and refer to the original documents 
 for the portions omitted. 
 
 A few pages of notes have been added, at the close of the work, 
 containing some ideas, which have been suggested in looking over the 
 matter; and, while they are not presumed to exhaust the subject, it is 
 hoped that, by leading others to its consideration, they may be instru- 
 mental in bringing this great auxiliary in modern warfare to a degree of 
 perfection commensurate with its importance. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. R. KING, 
 Capt. of Eng'rs, Bvt. Maj. U. S. A. 
 
 Bvt. Maj. Gen. R. Delafield, 
 
 Chief of Engineers, D. S. A. 
 
 ENGINEER BUREAU, 
 Washington, D. C, August 8, 1866. 
 To be published for distribution to officers of the Corps of Engi- 
 
 neers. 1.-7 / 
 
 ' ''■' ' ''^-^ e.-OL 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 I. Rebel Torpedoes Page 1. 
 
 II. Union Torpedoes " 20. 
 
 III. Other Torpedoes " 34. 
 
 IV. Fuzes for Torpedoes " 41. 
 
 V. Experiments with Torpedoes " 47. 
 
 VI. Notes on Torpedoes " 85. 
 
 INDEX TO PLATES. 
 
 Plates. Description. 
 
 A '..Torpedoes at Fcirt Fisher. N. C. Page 1. 
 
 .., '.Torpedoes at Mobile " 5. 
 
 L Spar Torpedo " 7. 
 
 n. 'swaying Boom Torpedo " 9. 
 
 m. L'urtle " " 10. 
 
 ir. Shell " " " 
 
 V. Submarine (Magnetic) Torpedo " " 
 
 VL Biver {Friction) " '' 12. 
 
 riL Current " " '' 
 
 rilL FretwelVs Percussion " " " 
 
 IX. Current " No. 2 " 13. 
 
 X Horological " " 16. 
 
 " ''...No. 2 " " 
 
 Submarine Connections " " 
 
 XL Electric Submarine Torpedo " 10. 
 
 " Subterranean..." " 14. 
 
 XIL Ground " " " 
 
 FretwelVs Percussion " " 12. 
 
 Hydrogen " " 15. 
 
jail. Arm Torpedo Page 15. 
 
 Floating Tin Can " " ^• 
 
 JT/F. Buoy, Knife, Singer's, Oapt. Lee's Sensitive and Chem- 
 ical Torpedoes, and a Torpedo Fuze " !"• 
 
 . XV. Northrup's Submarine Battery " 20. 
 
 XVI. Lanyard Torpedo 
 
 XVII... ..Powder Vessel, exploded off Fort Fisher 
 
 XVIIL.. Fulton's Clock Work Torpedo " 34. 
 
 XIX. " Gun Lock '■ " 35. 
 
 XX. Cable Cutter " 29. 
 
 XXL Shell Torpedo " " 
 
 XXIL...Can " " ]. 
 
 XXIII...Wood and Lay's Torpedo " 29. 
 
 XXIV...Double Cask " " 30. 
 
 XXV.....Railroad " 32. 
 
 XXVL..Fuzes/m- Static Electricity " 41. 
 
 XXVII....."....." Dynamic..." " 44. 
 
 XXVIII.Apparatus used in Experiments at Willefs Point " 59. 
 
 XXIX... Same " 60. 
 
 XXX... .. Figs. 1 and 2, Proposed Marine Torpedo " 92. 
 
 " 3 Bridge Torpedo " 33. 
 
 " 4 and 5, Jacobi Mines " 37. 
 
 " 6 Obstruction Torpedo, " 40. 
 
 XXXI... " 1 Proposed Land Torpedo " 87. 
 
 " 2, 3, 4, ^, 6, and 1, Experiments with Gun Cotton " 83. 
 
 " 8 Proposed Marine Torpedo, No. 2 " 94. 
 
 XXII.....Beardslee's Torpedo " 53. 
 
 " " No. 2 " 57. 
 
 narNoTE.— Infolding the Plates, they should first be douhled in the middle. 
 
REBELr TORPEDOf^S. 
 
 U. S. Steamer "Eutaw," 
 
 Bermuda Hundred, 
 
 James Eiver, June 9th 1864. 
 
 My deak Sir: 
 
 I have the pleasure to enclose to you a sketch of the torpedo taken up 
 at this place. » * * 
 
 b'ig. 1 (Plate XXII), shows the torpedo out in half. (C), the buoy on 
 surface of the water, is attached to the torpedo by two cords, (E) is a 
 sealed tube over a cork for admitting the powder (fine rifle-powder). 
 The buoy (D,) (these buoys are generally old roots or branches, quite un- 
 suspicious in their appearance,) is attached to the copper wire which 
 pulls the friction primer (F.) 
 
 These torpedoes are light in the water, and are immersed to the depth 
 of five or six feet. The top or end to which the wire is attached is con- 
 cave, I imagine, to make a better hold on the water. 
 
 Fig. 2 shows the appearance of the complete torpedo, having handles 
 ( K) and other parts as already described. 
 
 Si « «• s! » <S » « « < 
 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Very faithfully, your's, 
 (Signed) THOMAS CARSTAIRS. 
 
 Gen. 1'ich'd Dei.afiei.d. 
 
 Chief Est-jxeer U. S. A. 
 
 II'd Qk's U. S. Forces, 
 
 Fort Fisher, Jan. 23d 1865 
 Gex. Ric'h'd Delafiei.d, 
 Chief Engi.neer. 
 
 In front of the land face of Fort Fisher at an average distance of 
 200' from the work, and 80' from each other, was an elaborate system of 
 torpedoes, 24 in number. The plan of Port Fisher (Plate A, Fig. 1,) 
 will show thoir position. There were three kinds: 1st, 20'' shells; 2d, 
 boiler iron cylinder 13" diameter, and 18" long; and 3dj buoy-shaped 
 vessels of about the same contents as the cylinder, and also of sheet-iron. 
 The fuse usually had an iron plate with a wire three feet long to form its 
 o-round connection, but in some oases the wir,e was fastened to the iron 
 vessel containin"- the powder— thus using that for a ground plate. 
 
 The system was connected with the fort by three sets of double wires, 
 each wire apparently intended to fire five or more torpedoes. A single 
 
/ REliEL TORPEDOES. 
 
 wire, running to a group of torpedoes, was branched to each, in the ex- 
 pectation apparently of having battery power sufiicient to fire the whole- 
 group; and in addition, some of these groups were connected with each 
 other, thus giving (with sufficient battery power) a choice of positions in 
 the work to fire the group from. 
 
 The assault was made on the left (proper) of the face by the army, 
 and the right of the front by the navy. Shells had cut the sets of wires 
 leading from both these points, and notorpedoeswhateverwereexploded, 
 we having no masses of men over them. It is possible they could not 
 fire those whose wires were uncut, as the fuse I have examined had its 
 powder caked; but it may have been intended for a slow match. 
 
 The method of firing is as follows : 
 
 Fig. 2 shows the acorn g, and the quill ii ; the axis of the acorn being 
 hollow, and the quill, b, g, k, fitting tightly into it is filled with mealed 
 powder, and perhaps slow match composition. The wires w', w' , 
 leaving the gutta percha covering, w, w, pass through eye-holes, 
 e, «, in the acorn to which they are fastened. I'rom the cop- 
 per lining of the eye-holes, e, e, smaller copper wires, a, a, pass 
 and enter a solid guttapercha cylinder, s, the wires remaining about .05 
 of an inch apart. No connection between the wires is perceptible where the 
 gutta percha cylinder containing the wire touches, end to end, the quill 
 6, g, h; the ends of the wires appear at the end of the cylinder, and it 
 is supposed that here an imperfect electric connection is made between 
 them by m'eans of a black lead line on the end of the cylinder, joining 
 the ends of the wires ; the heat de\eloped in this black lead on the pas- 
 sage of the current firing the powder in the quill, with which the end of 
 the cylinder is in close contact. 
 
 The batteries for firing were magnetic, a few turns of the crank, and 
 with the black lead connection, readily firing gunpowder in fine grains. 
 
 The accidental cutting of four of the six wires leading from the work 
 was a piece of good fortune which probably saved u.s from se\ ere loss 
 and demoralization. ' 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 (Signed) C. B. COMSTOCK, 
 
 Lt. Col. & Bvt. Brig. Gex. 
 Chief Eng'r of .attack o.\ Fort Fisher. 
 
 Gen'l Richard Delafield: 
 Gen'l: 
 
 Oakdale, 
 
 Sept. 1 LSf,.-) 
 
 n- " l' » 
 
 The only places where I have seen torpedoes used were in front 
 of Savannah, G-a., at Fort McAllister, and at Sister's Ferry, on the Sa- 
 
IlEllKJ, 'lOKFEDOES. 3 
 
 vannah river. On approaching SaYannah, we found them buried in the 
 causeways wliich oonetitute the ftpproaclies to the city through the 
 swamps. They here killed a few men, but proved a very slight obstacle. 
 At Fort McAllister, they were buried in the ground on the glacis, and 
 (when there was room) just outside the ditch, and caused the death of 
 several of the men in the charge on the work. "Sister's Ferry" is the 
 point on the Savannah Kiver where the 14th A. C. with a portion of the 
 20th and 15th Corps and the Cavalry crossed after leaving Savannah for 
 the Carolina campaign. After crossing the river the road follows the 
 low bank for two miles up to the "Upper Ferry," before striking 
 East. Along this whole distance we found torpedoes planted in the road 
 when the water had sufficiently subsided to show the road bed. Two ex- 
 ploded and killed several men, when careful search betrayed the exist 
 ence of them all. Some forty or fifty were dug uj:). A small peg on one 
 side of the road and marked with, the number of the torpedo .showed the 
 locality. Careful digging discovered them just below the surface of the 
 ground. 
 
 In all these eases the torpedoes were and 10 pdr. shells, arranged 
 either with a plunger and cap, like a percussion shell, or with a friction 
 .arrangement, on the principle of a friction-tube. A step on them in 
 either case sufficed to produce an explosion- 
 
 Wiih the exception perhaps of "McAllister,'' these instances show, I 
 think, that the usefulness of torpedoes thus employed, is very questiona- 
 ble. They might be employed tO' advantage m the bottom of a dry 
 ditch in case of assault, or arranged in and under the abattis or fraise of 
 an earthwork to prevent its being cut down. They operate in all cases 
 as much by their moral effect as by actual destruction of life. Men are 
 very cautious of treading where the presence of a torpedo is suspected. 
 Bu.t it is in the defence of harbor» against a hostile fleet that torpedoes 
 find their true place and pre-eminent utility. The exam|.los of their 
 t'mployment in the harbors of Charleston and Savannah are sufficient to 
 prove their great effect, and the services rendered by them to the Kebels 
 nfford an instance of well-expended care and money. They assail the 
 only unprotected portion of our vessels — even the ironclads affording no 
 securitv against their sudden and powerful action., ' * * 
 
 * * * * *, * , I saw some n an 
 unfinished state at Savannah. Thoy were made of a powder-barrel wiih 
 wooden caps on each end to prolong and point them- They were then 
 covered with tin, and then with a thick coat of boiled tar. The torpedo 
 was filled with powder, arranged with a number of little nipples or cones 
 and waterproof percussion caps, and then anchored stem and. stern in the 
 channel. It is however a remarkable instance of tlie fallibility of tor- 
 pedoes that after the capture of Charleston, the "New Ironsides" was 
 found to tiaVe lain for three months over a torpedo containing 3,000 
 lbs. of powder. This was to have been exploded by electricity, and the 
 rebels had exhausted every means to accomplish it. 
 
 * * * * x,» * -X * 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 (Signed) Wm. LUDLOW, 
 
 BvT. Major U S. Eng'rs. 
 
4 
 
 REBEL TORPEDOES. 
 
 Fort Warren, Mas.s. 
 
 October 3d 1865. 
 Beig. Gen'l Delaeield, 
 
 Chiee Engineer U. S. Army. 
 General : 
 
 Torpedoes were used as obstacles to the passafje of our fleet into Mo- 
 bile Bay, in August 1864, but were not in sufficient number to prevent 
 the passage being effected, although one of the monitors, the "Tcoum- 
 seh," was sunk by a torpedo. 
 
 In the second expedition against Mobile and its defences, March and 
 April 1865, they were used by the rebels in such number, and, by sea 
 especially, so judiciously, as to prove serious obstacles to our advance. 
 All the main channels were obstructed by these machines. Placed so 
 that our vessels could not avoid coming in contact with them, and pro- 
 tected by the heavy guns of Spanish Fort, and the various batteries in the 
 Bay, and its vicinity, rendering their removal impossible, they effectual- 
 ly prevented the fleet from co-operating with the land force-?, and left the 
 rebel gunboats at liberty to annoy the besieging force by their fire. 
 The entrance to Minette Bay, upon which was situated Spanish Fort, 
 was so effectually guarded, as to prevent the fleet from approaching with- 
 in good shelling distance. Three or four of our vessels were sunk here, 
 whilst endeavoring to approach the Fort. After the surrender nunjbers 
 of torpedoes were removed, but long afterwards transports, Jilving in 
 and around the bay, were destroyed by the explosion of torpedoes which 
 had not been discovered. 
 
 On land, the torpedoes, or sub-terre shells, were a source of considera- 
 ble annoyance; more however on account of the moral effect produced 
 upon the troops, than from thoii destructive power. These "sub-terre" 
 shells, as they were styled, appeared to lie simply 12-pdr. shells, filled 
 with powder, furnished with a metallic plug similar in shape to the com- 
 mon fuze-plug, through which passed a needle, the latter falling 
 upon a nipple with the ordinary percussion cap. I cannot speak jiarti"- 
 cularly of the mechanism of the shell, as the Corps to which T w is at- 
 tached, the 16th A. C, moved upon Montgomery, immediatelv after the 
 capitulation of the city, and I had no opportunity to exaiiiine tliem. 
 They were placed upon all the ajiproaohes to the rebel works, iind in 
 every path over which our troops would be likely to lla^s. Eveu the aji- 
 proaches to the pools of water, upon which the men relied for eookin"- 
 &c., were infested with them. On the roads, they were generallv iilueed 
 in the ruts. As their explosion depended entirely upon their licmu step- 
 ped on, very few of them were effective, and the "cases, in whicir men 
 horses, or wagons, were injured, were isolated. Still, the knowlodue 
 that these shells were scattered in every ilirection would neeessarilv pro- 
 duce its effect upon the troops, who never knew when to expect an ex- 
 plosion, or whore to go to avoid one. Tliey were also placed in the 
 woods, in the vicinity of Spanish Fort, and "Blakely. In addition tu this 
 they were used to form a cordon around the W(jrks themselves. filter 
 the capture of Spanish Fort, 1 made a ))rief inspection of the works 
 particularly as to the manner of placing tliem. They were located out- 
 side of the abattis, and other obstacles, under close musketrv fire, about 
 six feet apart, and in a line iiarallel to the general direction of the Para- 
 pet, their place being marked by little forked twigs driven into' the 
 
KEUKI, TOKl'liDOES. 
 
 ground, yet in such a manner as not to attract the attention of the be- 
 siegers. This is, I believe, the general method of placing torpedoes, as 
 pursued by the Rebels. Their efficiency was greatly marred by the fact 
 that they could only be exploded by being struck upon the hammer, or 
 stepped upon, and when we consider the small space taken up by a 12 
 pdr. shell, and the distances by which they were separated, it is not to be 
 wondered at that they produced so little devastation. A similar cordon 
 was established around the works at Blakely, outside of the obstacles, 
 but I have yet to hear that they formed any serious obstruction to the 
 successful assault of our troops on the 9th of April. 
 
 The manner of placing these sub-terre shells, was, I think, good, but 
 the great mistake was in the manner of exploding them. Instead of 
 leaving their explosion to a chance step upon the shell, had they been 
 sprung in great numbers, with an assurance of springing every one at 
 the proper moment, they would have proved powerful auxiliaries to the 
 defence. The carelessness evinced by the Rebels, in marking the places 
 of their deposit, is mqst culpable, as many of them could^not be found, 
 and are liable at any time to injure persons, who from curiosity, or other 
 motive, may visit the ground. 
 
 I should think that they might be very advantageously used on the 
 land fronts of fortifications, in connection with the wire entanglement, 
 by connecting the wires with the shells, so that any step or pressure up- 
 on the wire would explode the shell. In crowding forward to the as- 
 sault, through the entanglement, it would be almost impossible to avoid 
 striking the wires. I should think that an arrangement, similar to the 
 ordinary friction primer, might be used , connecting several wires with 
 each shell, taking care to turn the arms of the primer, so that they will 
 be in the prolongation of the wires, when the latter are pushed or press- 
 ed, avoiding by this means the twisting or breaking of the arms of the 
 primer. 
 
 I believe that the management of torpedoes, in the rebel service, rest- 
 ed with a completely organized Torpedo Corps. 
 
 I respectfully forward, herewith a description of land and water Tor 
 pedoes, taken up at Fort Esperanza, Texas, by Capt. J. T. Baker. The 
 object in placing a cap at each end of the needle, was, I presume, simply 
 to guard against failure, that is, in case one cap should fail, the other, 
 probably, would not. 
 
 I am, General, 
 
 Vei-y respectfully, 
 
 Your obed't servt, 
 (Signed) CHAS. J. ALLEN, 
 
 Bvt. Capt. U. S. A. 1st Lt. Corps Eng'rs. 
 
 Boston, Mas^., 
 October 2d 1865. 
 Bvt. Maj. C. J. Allen, 
 
 Corps U. S. Eng'rs, 
 
 Superintendent of Construction, &c. 
 
 Major : 
 I have the honor to transmit herewith a description of the torpedoes 
 manufactured by the "C. S. A. Torpedo Co," having a brother of Sing- 
 
REBEL TUBfJiBOES. 
 
 er (of Singer's Sewing Machine notoriety,) as President. I recovered 
 and opened 13 of one kind, and 3 of another; the first were applied to 
 land defence, and were taken from the dead angles of each salient and 
 from the West curtain face of Fort Esperanza, at Pass Cavallo, Texas. 
 The shape (See Figs. 3 and 4, Plate A,) of these, was a cylindrical ves- 
 sel of from 13'' to 21" in diameter, and from 15'' to 24" in depth. 
 These cases contained on an average 35 to 40 lbs. fine diamond-grained 
 powder. The latter were intended for submarine defence, and were of 
 the same pattern, with the exception of an air-vessel attached. The com- 
 position of all was of tin ; the latter with a prolongation of the Standard, 
 to admit of passing the striking-rod through the air-vessel. To protect 
 against the leakage of water into the float, there was a small vertical cyl- 
 inder extending between the upper and interior and the lower and interi- 
 or surfaces of the float. These cases were 2'9" long X 2'3" top, and 
 1'6" at bottom; depth of magazine 1'7" ; depth of float 15". In each 
 of these torpedoes the method of exploding them was the same in fact, 
 viz.; the withdrawal of a pin passed through the striker or hammer, 
 either by personal force or the contact of a floating body with lines 
 stretched across channels. 
 
 I discovered the position of the land obstructions by passing along the 
 superior slope of the work and noticing at first peculiar lines on the ex- 
 terior slope, in such positions as would not identify them as having been 
 used for profiles. On examination of these decayed grass lines, I found, 
 by removing the grass, wooden troughs or boxes, through which raw 
 hide lines were run. In following these up, I invariably came to a tor- 
 pedo ; these I lifted, after first cutting the lint and then seizing the brass 
 pin and doubling it while it was in position. 
 
 The land torpedoes were invariably laid upon their sides, and were 
 braced on their resistance side by a log of wood, or else stakes driven in- 
 to the ground; and to protect the machinery from clogging with sand and 
 earth, they were covered with boards, strong enough to witlistand a fair 
 weight of earth. Around the exterior of the cases were bedded quanti- 
 ties of small stones, which, in the event of an explosion, would act as 
 splinters, or makeshift projectiles, and in rainy weather would serve as 
 drain-ways to keep the torpedo in more perfect condition than if it were 
 fairly in contact with the earth. 
 
 I omitted to mention that the explosion-lines or lanyards reached en- 
 tirely inside the Fort, so that in case of an assault, they could be pulled 
 at the proper time, (when the dead angles were crowded,) with perfect 
 safety to the garrison. 
 
 The metal composing the machinery was entirely Bell-Metal, Bronze, 
 or Brass, with the exception of the detonating piniii the interior of the 
 magazine. The sketches are drawn without reference to scale, but to 
 give you an idea of their shape and method of wnvkinf;. 
 
 I am, Major, very respectfully, 
 Your Olied't Sf r\ ant. 
 (.Signed) .1. T. K.VKKR, 
 
 Ex-Capt. U. S. \'ols. Engineer 
 in charge ui' Kort Ksperanza, 
 by order of Maj. D. C, Houston, 
 
KEBIL TORPEDOES. 
 
 Brig. Gen. Rich'd Delafield, 
 
 Chief Engineer TI. S. Army, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Office Chief Engineer, 
 Dep't Virginia. 
 Richmond, Va., 
 October 1865. 
 
 General : 
 
 I have the honor to submit herewith notes explanatory of the rebel 
 torpedoes and ordnance* delineated on the accompanying sheets. 
 
 This information has been obtained from the best sources within my 
 reach. 
 
 I am indebted to Mr. Elliott Lacy and Mr. John F. Alexander for the 
 greater part of the information. 
 
 I am. General, 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your ob't servant. 
 [Signed] PETER S. MICHIE, 
 
 1st Lt., Bvt. Lt. Col. U. S. Eng'ks, 
 BvT. Brig. Gen'l U. S. Vol's. 
 
 SPAR TORPEDO. 
 
 This torpedo consists of a tank of sheet copper with brazed joints, 
 somewhat egg-shaped, as shown Fig. 1, Plate 1. 
 
 The essential feature of the exploding arrangement resides in a sensi- 
 tive primer with cyliudro-conical head communicating with the magar 
 zine of the torpedo, and which is in contact with and protected from the 
 water by a thin hemispherical cap of soft, well annealed copper. 
 
 This contact of the priming with the covering cap, is effected by slid- 
 ing up the small hollow cylinder which holds it, until it is pressed light- 
 ly against the cap, and fixing the cylinder in position by turning in the 
 set screw shown on the side. (Fig. 3.) 
 
 Witli this arrangement, the thin cap, while completely excluding the 
 water, would transmit any blow on it to the head of the primer, and ex- 
 ploding it, communicate tire to the charge of the torpedo. This cap is 
 carefully soldered to the outer cylinder, which contains the primer cyl- 
 inder and forms the body of the fuse. 
 
 The safety-cap, which is placed over but does not touch the thin cop- 
 per cap, and protects it from accident, is a brass cover sufficiently un- 
 yielding not to be indented by any blow that it would probably receive 
 m service. 
 
 It was generally the practice to glue or tie a piece of shellac paper 
 over the lower opening of the primer cylinder to protect the primer as 
 much as possible from the effects of moisture. 
 
 Thus prepared, the whole is screwed into a bushing which has been 
 previously brazed firmly into the body of the torpedo, a little white lead 
 being introduced into the thread of the screw, and a leather or gum col- 
 lar placed under the head to render the joint water-tight. 
 
 'J'he torpedo i.'i fixed at the extremity of a spar by means of a socket 
 riveted on its smaller end. The other extremity of this spar, which is ■ 
 
 * Tlie torpedoes only wilj be here giren. 
 
RBBEI, TORPEDOES. 
 
 about 25 or 30 feet long, is attached to the boat carrying the torpedo, by 
 a goose-neck, which passes through a socket firmly bolted to its bows, 
 thus permitting the torpedo to be unshipped and taken aboard, elevated 
 out of the water, or lowered into it, as the case may require. 
 
 The torpedo is maintained in its position in front of the boat, and ma- 
 noeuvred by means of two guy-ropes attached to the spar and passing 
 thence to the sides of the boat, where they are connected with some 
 tackle arrangement. 
 
 When elevated out of the water, in which position it is carried when 
 not about to strike an enemy, a third rope, passing over the stem of the 
 boat, is also employed. 
 
 The torpedo is chax'ged through one of the fuze-holes, 
 The larger tanks were supported by braces of iron, as shown in the 
 drawing, to prevent their weight from tearing them from their sockets 
 when raised from the water. 
 
 As long as the torpedo remained on board, the safety-caps were kept 
 on, to prevent accident. 
 
 When rigged for use, it is kept suspended in the air until about to be 
 used, in order to prevent premature explosions by striking anything 
 which might be floating or submerged in the water. 
 
 The sensitive primer used in the exploding arrangement of these tor- 
 pedoes was the invention, and was manufactured immediately under the 
 eye of Gen. Rains, the Chief of the Torpedo Bureau, who carefully pre- 
 served from publicity all information concerning their fabrication. 
 
 So sensitive was the detonating composition, which was used, that a 
 pressure of seven pounds weight applied to the head of one of the pri- 
 mers would explode it. 
 
 Chemical analysis would, of course, shed sfime light on its character. 
 The object in adopting an egg-shaped tank was to bring the bulk of 
 the charge as near the object struck as was compatible with facility of 
 passage through the water. 
 
 When these tanks were first employed as torpedoes, they were mostly 
 improvised out of sodarwater fountains. 
 
 They were then supported at the end of the spar by a basket arrange- 
 ment of iron straps. 
 
 The primer was not the original device for exploding them, but the 
 sulphuric acid arrangement shown in Fig. 4, Plate 13. 
 
 It consisted of a small glass tulie of sulphuric acid contained in and 
 resting against the head of the soft cap (K). 
 
 Surrounding the tube and holding it in position, is a mixture of chlo- 
 rate of potassa and white sugar (N, N). S is a quick liurning composi- 
 tion. 
 
 Upon striking any rigid body tlie soft lead uap is crushed, breaking 
 the glass tube in contact with it, causing the sulphuric acid to come in 
 contact with the chlorate, thus producing firo, whiih is communicated to 
 the charge by the primer (S). 
 
 To secure a steady submergeme upon slackening the guy ropes, it was 
 frequently necessary to load the torpedo with weights, thus overcoming 
 the disposition to float occasioned by the buoyan<v of the spar, and the 
 imperfect filling of the tank. 
 
 The spar was bent upward at its forward end to liring the torpedo into 
 a horizontal position, although inclined itself. 
 
 _ Every description of boat, from a steam-tug to a canoe has, at some 
 time or other, been armed with this torpedo. More recently however 
 special boats were constructerl, whicli were jiropeljed ]i\ steam, and capa- 
 
KEBEI. TOKl'KUOIib. 9 
 
 ble of running at a very high speed. The after portion of these boats 
 was covered vrith a bullet-proof sheet of boiler iron, for the protection of 
 the crew and engine. 
 
 It might be anticipated that the explosion of the torpedo vyould occa- 
 sion a powerful back-thrust on the spar, but the effect in practice is too 
 trifling to be noticed. 
 
 Swaying Boom Torpedo. 
 
 The design of this torpedo was to obviate a defect which had been 
 found to exist in all previous ones, that of facility of removal, from their 
 site. The expedient of causing them to explode, when attempted to be 
 removed, had been adopted, but manifestly could not answer the de- 
 sired end, as they were gotten out of the way, and the streams cleared for 
 vessels as effectually by explosion as by dragging, as means existed for 
 making the dragging perfectly safe to those performing it. 
 
 This engine is represented in Plate II. It is composed of a copper 
 tank of the sh^pe and dimensions there shown, fitted with five exploding 
 caps as depicted. These caps are the same in every respect as those al- 
 ready described as used in the Spar Torpedo, the object of this identity 
 being to simplify as far as practicable the material of the service. 
 
 This tank is fixed securely at the end of a boom, by means of a socket 
 riveted to its bottom. The other extremity of this boom is connected by 
 a double hook forming a universal joint with a flat annular anchor. 
 
 The charge of powder in the torpedo was such as to leave it a buoyan- 
 cy of betw'een 10 or 15 pounds, which has to be increased somewhat at 
 first to allow for the decrease consequent upon the water-logging of the 
 boom. 
 
 The extent to which the arrangement described secured the desired 
 point of irremovability will be best arrived at, when we come to consider 
 briefly the means usually employed for clearing a water-course. 
 
 It was simply a chain or a line sufficiently weighty to sink it, which 
 was dragged perpendicular to its length over the suspected locality. 
 
 With all pre-existing methods of anchoring, the torpedo would either 
 stop the drag-line; be exploded, or be dragged out. In the two last cases 
 the end of removal would have been accomplished, and in the first, the 
 precise location of the torpedo would have been ascertained, and it could 
 afterwards be grappled with claw-hooks and drawn out. 
 
 On the contrary, with the swaying boom torpedo, no indication of its 
 presence would be given when hung by the line, for owing to its slight 
 buoyancy it would sink out of the way, allowing the line to pass over 
 and" assume its upright position when freed. In one of the preliminary 
 experiments with one of these torpedoes, a buoyancy of 20 pounds (near- 
 ly double the usual amount) was given it, and a small leaded line used in 
 dragging. • 
 
 The distance and sensibility with which a line drawn taut in the water 
 transmits the vibration caused by a jerk or blow are well known. Not- 
 withstanding all this, so easily did the torpedo sink and allow the rope to 
 pass that it was utterlv imDos'sible to tell when they came in contact. 
 
 To facilitate the passage of the line, the articulation which connects 
 the boom with the anchor is placed, below the top of 'the latter, as «howu 
 in the drawing; and the surface of the boom and tank made as free from 
 all irregularities as possible. 
 
10 REBEL TORPEDOES. 
 
 Turtle Torpedo. 
 
 To protect these torpedoes from whatever raking or grappling arrange- 
 ments might be carried by the "devils" or other vessels searching for 
 them, they were connected by a small line about 130 or 140 feet long with 
 a second torpedo, which was placed down the stream from them in the 
 direction in which it was supposed the enemy would approach. This 
 combination is shown in Plate III, Fig. 1. 
 
 This second torpedo, which was called a turtle from its peculiar 
 shape, was made of boiler iron, and had a heavy plate of cast iron attach- 
 ed underneath to anchor it firmly. Its exploding arrangement, which is 
 shown in Fig. .3, of the same plate, was composed of a, friction composi- 
 tion surrounding a roughened copper wire. This wire is attached to the 
 lower end of a piston, which has a packing of tallowed tow or cotton in 
 an annular space around it, and a lead cap on the top of the fuse, to whch 
 it is soldered around its edge. 
 
 This allows the piston, and with it, the wire to be pulled out and the 
 fuze fired, yet protects it from water. 
 
 To the eye at the upper end of the piston, the line from the swaying 
 boom torpedo is fastened. The mutual action of the two torpedoes then 
 is this. If a line be used in dragging, it will pass over both, while a devil 
 would be unable to reach the turtle, hut might hang the swaying boom. 
 In this ease, tha outward movement of the vessel carrying it would take 
 the torpedo along with it, thus tightening the line connecting with the 
 turtle torpedo, di-awing out the fuse piston and exploding "it in what 
 would be from its advanced position just about under the vessel. 
 
 The whole of this arrrngement was generally, known as the -'Devil Cat- 
 cher'' or circumventor. 
 
 iStiell Torpedo. 
 
 _ This torpedo (Plate 4) was used for the defence of obstructions in 
 rivers and harbors. They were bolted in an inclined position to a timber 
 frame-work, which was sunk upon the obstructions and loaded with stone. 
 
 _ Their purpose was the destruction of vessels running upon the obstruc- 
 tions, and to render their removal more difficult. 
 
 Attached to a frame-work, as shown in Fig. 7, Plate XIII, thev were 
 sunk across the entrance of slips in wharves. Fixed in this manner 
 numbers of them might be seen, by close scrutiny, at low tide, just below 
 the surface of the water in the harbor of Charleston.* 
 
 Siibiiiarinc Torpedo. 
 
 This torpedo or submarine mine, consists of cannon powder olaeed in 
 a watertigf>t tank, mto the centre of which pass the terminals "of two in- 
 sulated copper wires. See Plate V. Fiu-'s 1 ■' md ^ nnHPi.; yt 
 Fig's. 1 and 2.) Between their term'inalS is a quill, through which pasi^ 
 a tine platinum wire, by which they are joined. ^ 
 
 '' By cutting one of these shells open, it has been found that the-v .r. „„. „f ■<, 
 thickness, but that they are very thin at thejunction of the cyliSdrical wUh th„ Tni™! 
 surface, the probable object being to determine the line of fracture so that the ItluT"''} 
 of the shell .hall be driven through any object coming in contact wi?h the fuiSi t?..l„ t? " 
 heinff the "Ruin's Sonoitivo TTniio " o1r«»Hi Ho.„„ii,»j uiiiai-i wiin tne luze , the latter 
 
RISEBL TOKFKUOKS. 11 
 
 The bit of quill contains fulminate of mercury, and is surrounded by a 
 small cartridge of rifle powder. 
 
 As tliis fulminate detonates at a very low temperature, it requires only 
 a slight elevation in the platinum wire, which, being effected by means of 
 a galvanic current, explodes instantaneously the whole charge of the 
 tank. 
 
 The Tank is made of | boiler iron, cut and riveted together in the shape 
 of a spindle. The centre piece is cylindrio, having riveted into each end 
 the bases of two conic frustrum pieces, which receive into their tops two 
 similar shaped pieces of ^rass, into which are screwed the lifting screw p, 
 and the face plate d. 
 
 The Nozzle is composed of three brass pieces. (Shown in Tig. 3, Plate 
 
 Th 
 
 Che cap piece is the ordinary female screw cap of a water plug, with 
 the exception of having an open face. 
 
 The packer is a cylindric disc, a quarter of an inch thick, in which are 
 two round holes, which have riveted into them pieces of brass pipe about 
 O'^.S of an inch in length and a tenth of an inch in thickness. The size 
 of the hole in the disc, as well as the diameter of its piece of pipe, vary 
 to suit the insulated wire used. 
 
 The double male screw is the ordinary double male hexagonal wrench 
 screw, with a circular flange. The bottom screw is hollow to circular 
 flange : and the top screw terminating in the hexagonal wrenchings, has 
 bored into it two cylindro-conic holes which receive the tubes of the 
 packer. 
 
 The connections consist of a square strip of wood (6 Figs. 1, and 2, 
 Plate XI,) twenty-two inches long, one end of which enters the bore of 
 the bottom screw, and is there wedged by four small pieces of wood, as 
 shown by the section on {c d. ) The other end is shaved off to the length 
 of the quill (a,) which is fastened into a notch by two threads passing 
 through it, and then passed through a hole in the wooden strip about- a 
 quarter of an inch below the end, and there tied. At right angles to this 
 tying of the quill, waxed threads are passed over the centre of the quill, 
 and again through the wood, as shown by the section on {a b.) 
 
 The quill secured, two insulated wires are passed through the packer, 
 the cylindro-chambers of the double male screw, and along the square 
 wooden strips (6,) to which, at slight intervals, they are securely tied 
 with short lengths of marline (m m. } The terminals of these wires oppo- 
 site the ends of the quill, are bent into a loop, and the fine platinum 
 wire {x,) passing through the quill, winds its ends around them between 
 these loops, which are compressed so as to fasten the platinum wire. 
 
 One end pf the quill is then stopped with a wafer of bees-wax, the quill 
 is then filled with fulminate of mercury, and the other end closed in the 
 same manner. 
 
 Around this end a small cartridge of rifle powder is tied, as shown at 
 ^) in the tank. 
 
 The chambers in the packer being filled by stuffing tallowed cotton- 
 wick around the insulated wires, the packer is forced home by screwing 
 on the cap-screw. 
 
 The nozzle thus prepared, is now screwed into the iron face plate [d,) 
 and the guard V, made of a quarter inch sheet iron, is put on by three 
 short screws, two of which are shown in the section. 
 
 The tank is filled by turning it upon its guard, removing the lifting 
 screw [p) and pouring in powder through a copper funnel whose neck is 
 curved to prevent the falling grains from striking the rifle cartridge. 
 
 (C) 
 'PI 
 
12 REBEL XOKPEDOES. 
 
 River Torpedo. 
 
 This torpedOjWhich is shown in Plate VI, was the invention of a man 
 named MoDaniel, and being one of the earliest and most primitive of its 
 class, is to be regarded as an illustration of this peculiar service when in 
 its infancy, and rather of historic value than of any inherent worth. 
 
 The tank, when in the water, rests on its side, being secured in this 
 position by a short piece of rope, whose ends were made fast to the eyes 
 formed by the extremities of the iron stem which passes through the tor- 
 pedo. This rope, which passes, beneath the torpedo, has at its middle an 
 . eye, to which is connected a rope that reaches down to the anchor. 
 
 This torpedo is fired from the shore by means of a line connected to the 
 looped ends of the wire of the friction primer, (B B.) The saucer shaped 
 discs of soft copper, through which the primer wires pass, allow them to 
 be torn out of the oompbsition by a pull on the line, and yet exclude the 
 water. 
 
 Current Torpedo. 
 
 The mode of operating with this torpedo (Figs. 1, and '2, Plate VJI,) 
 is to attach it to the end of a line about 250 or 350 feet long, the other 
 end of which is fastened to a log of wood or dummy. 
 
 With the line stretched transversely to the direction of the current, 
 the torpedo and dummy are floated down on the vessel it is de- 
 signed to destroy, so arranged that its bow shall hang the line as near its 
 centre as possible. Knots are made along the line to prevent either the 
 torpedo or dummy from .drajggiug the other around and floating off. 
 
 Hanging across the bow of the vessel, the torpedo swings' around against 
 its side, and beingheld stationary by the line, the current acts on the 
 propeller wheel (w,) causing it to rotate. 
 
 By means of the worm and gear wheel, the propeller wheel turns the 
 hammer (H H) until it brings a slot on its inside into coincidence with a 
 rib OB the stem, when it falls, exploding caps and torpedo. 
 
 Fretwell's Percussion Torpedo. 
 
 This apparatus is illustrated in elevation and general arrangement in 
 Plate Vlir, Figs. 1, and 2, and Plate XII Fig. 3.* As far as ascertained 
 this torpedo has done more execution than any other during the war. 
 Its form, dimensions, method of anchoring &c. will be easily understood 
 from the drawing. 
 
 It will be seen that the inverted saucer-shaped plate (a a, Plate XII,) 
 merely rests, unfastened, on the top of the torpedo, the contact being 
 around the lower edge of a central aperture in the plate. Into this aper"- 
 ture was a low rim of sheet tin, which catching against the rectangular 
 edge of the opening, prevents the plate from sliding of}', when the torpe- 
 do 18 tilted by the action of tlie current or tide. 
 
 Attached to this plate is a wire (w) branching into three pints, which 
 connect with as many different arms {x.) These arms (B, Plkte VII ) 
 have at the inner end a small pin, which passing through the face plate 
 (D,) on the frame (A A) of the apparatus, enters a corresponding hole in 
 
 * Seealad tig. i, Wate A.. 
 
REBEL TORPEDOES. 13 
 
 the hammer rod, holding it down and keeping the spiral spring which 
 surrounds it, in a state of compression. Inside of the tank and in a line 
 with the hammers, is a system of percussion-caps (C C C.) Four of these 
 caps are brought under the action of each hammer, being placed on small 
 rods, and brought to a gentle but firm bearing by the thumb-screws at the 
 end of the rods opposite the hammer. 
 
 Supposing the apparatus to be s^t as described, and properly anchor- 
 ed in a water course, its action, when struck by a vessel, will be as fol- 
 lows : as the cast iron plate projects slightly beyond the body of the tor- 
 pedo, it will first receive the blow, its inner edge bending down or moun- 
 ting over the rim which held it in position, and then, as the onward mo- 
 tion of the vessel pushes the torpedo from the perpendicular, the plate 
 tumbles off, pulls the connecting wires, and through the arms, withdraws 
 the pins, thereby releasing the hammers, whiqh, forced by the spiral springs, 
 fly upAvard and through the bottom of the tank, administer a sharp blow 
 to the percussion caps inside, causing them to burst and explode the tor- 
 pedo. The eye at the upper end of the iron stem (A A,) is for the pur- 
 pose of lowering the torpedo gently to its position in the water and pre- 
 venting the sudden jerk which would occur on striking the bottom if al- 
 lowed to descend by simple gravity, thus increasing the liability of displa- 
 cing some of the trigger pins, or throwing off the iron cap plate. This 
 lowering is done with an iron rod, whose end, bent as shown in Pig. 5, 
 Plate XlII, is hooked into the eye. 
 
 This euables the rod to be easily disengaged afterwards. 
 
 As an additional precaution against accident, safety-pins are inserted 
 in the holes near the end of the hammer-rods, to prevent the latter from 
 reaching the caps, should the arms be accidentally disengaged. The pins 
 are withdrawn after submergence by means of a line 100 feet in length, 
 which is sufficient to insure safety. 
 
 This torpedo was aruong the earliest used, and continued to be employ- 
 ed to the last. While it seems almost certain of explosion when struck 
 by a vessel, and has probably been the most successful one in use, it is 
 still defective on account of the facility with which it may be exploded by 
 the line-drag described in the article on "Swaying Boom Torpedoes," or 
 by very strong water in time of freshets. 
 
 The name of the inventor is Singer, that which it bears being due to its 
 being principally in the hands of Dr. Fretwell of Texas, who was personal- 
 Iv engaged m planting most of them. 
 
 Current Torpedo. 
 
 This torpedo is shown in plate IX. It differs from the current torpedo 
 already described (Page 12,) only in the mechanical details and in the use 
 of percussion primers instead of gun-caps, the mode of action being the 
 same in both cases. 
 
 The rotation of the propeller-wheel (not shown in the drawing,) carries 
 it from under the detent (L,) which, dropping, releases the hammer that 
 falls on the cap, and explodes the torpedo. 
 
14 REBEL TORPEBOES. 
 
 Electric Subterranean Torpedo. 
 
 Plate XI, Fig. 3, represents the cylindric tank, which is made of quar- 
 ter inch sheet-iron riveted together, is 22 inches long, 13J inches in di- 
 ameter, and holds 100 lbs. of powder. 
 
 Fig. 5 is simply a 20 inch shell of 2 inches thickness of metal. 
 
 Fig. 6, the conic tank, is an old buoy altered so as to receive the nozzle. 
 The nozzle, excepting its size, is the same as that used in the submarine 
 torpedo. 
 
 The connections are the same as those used for the submarine torpedo, 
 with this exception ; instead of using the quill and platinum wire, a pre- 
 pared fuze is connected to those terminals which are intended for ' the in- 
 teriors of the tanks. 
 
 This fuze (Fig. 4, Plate XI,)* consists of a cylindric wooden stopper 
 rounded at the ends, IJ inches long, and | of an inch in diameter, having 
 a hole 1-7 of an inch in diameter passing lengthwise through its centre ; 
 a tin tube If inches in length and | in diameter, and a gutta-percha cylin- 
 der 2 inches long and i inch in diameter, through which pass, parallel to 
 the direction of its axis, two small copper wires. 
 
 The stopper is turned off' so as to give an entrance piece, half an inch 
 long, for the tin tube which i.s punched in on the stopper, to prevent slip- 
 ping. 
 
 The two parallel wires (shown by the continuous black lines) diverge 
 in passing out the exposed stopper end, and pass along small grooves 
 made to receive them, until they connect with two parallel copper eyelets 
 (a; a;), which pass through the stopper-head at right angles to the gutta^ 
 percha cylinder, as shown by the section on {a o. ) The other ends pro- 
 jecting from the guttapercha 1-20 of an inch, and are separated by about 
 1-50 of an inch ; and are surrounded by a composition of 10 parts of sub- 
 phosphide of copper, 45 parts of sulphide of copper, and 15 parts of chlo- 
 rate of potassa, previously prepared by moistening with alcohol, tritura- 
 ting in a mortar, and then drying ; packed well up against them, in a 
 wrapping of thin sheel^lead. 
 
 The tube is then iiUed with rifle powder, and its filling end closed with 
 a thin layer of moistened calcined gypsum, which soon hardens. 
 
 The fuze is attached to the wires (W W,) which pass along the strip of 
 wood' from the nozzle, by simply notching the end of this strip to receive 
 the stopper-head, and passing the wires through the eyelets in which they 
 are wedged with small copper nails, so as to insure perfect contact. 
 
 The.'galvanic battery differs from the "Grove's," in making the zinc cup 
 so as to hold the diluted sulphuric acid, and in using iron in the place pf 
 platinum. 
 
 i. Croiind Torpedo. 
 
 This torpedo (Pigs. 1, & 2, PI. XII,) consisted simply of an ordinary 
 shell with an exploding arrangement fixed in the' fuze hole. 
 
 The exploder is composed of a sensitive primer inserted in a wooden 
 plug and with an inverted tin cup, placed over and in contact with it 
 The whole was buried in the ground, so that the tin cap would be an 
 inch or two beneath the surface, and carefully covered with earth so as to 
 conceal it from observation. 
 
 " See also V\ga. 3, 4, & 6, PI. XXVI. 
 
REBEL TORPEDOES. 15 
 
 Frequently several were placed in a row and a piece of board laid across, 
 so tkat the chances of explosion would be increased. 
 
 A pressure of seven pounds would burst the primer, so that the weight 
 of a man would certainly cause an explosion. 
 
 They were planted in roads and in front of fortifications to repel a 
 charge. 
 
 This is the torpedo which was buried in such large, numbers between 
 the lines of abattis and chevaux-de-frise in front of the rebel defences 
 near Chafiin's Bluff on the north side of James River. 
 
 The shells used were generally condemned shells. 
 
 Hydrogen Torpedo. 
 
 This torpedo, which is shown in Fig. 4, Plate XII, depends for explo- 
 sion upon the well known phenomenon of rendering spongy platinum in- 
 candescent by throwing on it a jet of hydrogen gas. 
 
 The principle is applied as follows : The beam across the top [gf, Pig. 4, 
 Plate XII,) is fastened rigidly to the upper, part of the stem, which, by 
 means of the neck and collar, shown at its lower end, is capable of turning 
 independently of the torpedo. The lower end of this stem is connected 
 with a ground joint cock as is shown in the section on [a b.) The small 
 cords are for preventing the arm from turning accidentally, but should 
 the beam be struck by a vessel, they would be ruptured, the stem turned, 
 and the cock opened. 
 
 This allows the hydrogen gas, of which there are several atmospheres 
 in the globe (A,) to flow through and down the pipe (c,) (see section on 
 c d.) where it meets with the spongy platinum, which is raised to a high 
 heat, and explodes some fulminate immediately surrounding it, then the 
 rifle powder [g,] and the torpedo. 
 
 Arm Torpedo. 
 
 This torpedo belongs to the anchored buoyant class. 
 
 The exploding arrangement consists of three arms (a a a, Fig. 2, Plate 
 XIII, about 5 feet long, making equal angles with each other, and let in- 
 to sockets (c c.) 
 
 The sockets are solid with the sleeve (6,) turning on the stem {m,) of the 
 torpedo. 
 
 This sleeve has at its lower end, a set of cog-shaped teeth (i,) on the in- 
 side of the hammer [d.) 
 
 While the sleeve is free to turn, the hammer is prevented from so doing by 
 a rib on the side of the stem. 
 
 Hence, if a ve^el strikes the arms (a,) they are carried around, and with 
 the sleeve (6,) which turns the teeth (n,) from under the teeth [i,] bringing 
 them opposite the spaces, and releasing the hammer (d,) which, impelled 
 by the spiral springs, falls on the primer cap beneath, and explodes the tor- 
 pedo. . „ , . . 
 
 As the teeth are only 3-16 of an inch wide, a turning of this amount in 
 either direction is sufficient to liberate the hammer. 
 
 A safety pin (s,) is used while placing the torpedo in position. 
 
16 REBEL TORPEDOES. 
 
 Horologlcal Torpedo. 
 
 — I 
 
 This, as its name implies, is an arrangement by whicli the explosion of 
 the torpedo is effected after the lapse of a certain time, a point which it is 
 often necessary to attain in operations of this character. 
 
 The exploding device consists simply of a train of clock-work, which 
 turns the wheel (to, Fig. 6, Plate X,) fixed on the axis of the main-spring. 
 The rotation of this wheel brings the recess (m,) under the pin {d,) which, 
 dropping into it, lets the lerer arm (a,) descend and releases the hammer 
 (m,) which, being impelled by the spiral spring above it, strikes and ex- 
 plodes the cap [e^ and fires the torpedo. 
 
 This is the torpedo which was used to destroy the ordnance boats and 
 wharf at City Point, in 1864. It was arranged as shown in Plate XIV, 
 Fig. 7, in a small wooden box, which contained some twelve or fifteen 
 pounds of powder. 
 
 The clock-work was put in motion by a wire, which passed through the 
 side of the box, and i-ested on the balance wheel of the clock movement. 
 
 The individual who was charged with this project, landed at City Point 
 in a small boat. He was dressed in citizen's clotlios, and carried the 
 box containing the torpedo on his back. He succeeded in passing, the 
 sentinel on duty at the ordnance wharf, and deposited the torpedo on 
 one of the barges, and ho was but three fourths of a mile away, beioio 
 the explosion took place. 
 
 Horologlcal Torpedo, IVo. 2. 
 
 This torpedo (Fig. 1, Plate X) is for the same purpose, and is operated in 
 the same manner as the one preceding : the mechanical means by which 
 the explosion is accomplished being .varied in some degree. 
 
 The motion of the clock-work (Fig. 3,) through the intervention of the 
 lever, which hooks on the pin of the mainspring- wheel, turns the T-shaped 
 vertical lever from under the arm which rests on it, which, descending 
 withdraws the detent, whose toe is caught in the notch of the stem of the 
 piston, when the latter falls on the primer with a force due to the strength 
 of the spring. 
 
 The drawing in the plate represents the torpedo as fixed for floatino- down 
 on a vessel, as described in the article on current torpedoes. "^ 
 
 Submarine Connections. 
 
 The tanks being ready, they are each connected to two insulate wires pre- 
 viously stbpped on to f manilla or tarred rope at intervals of 20 feet and of 
 sufficient length to reach the shore from the points at which tlie tanks are 
 submerged. 
 
 After submergence, and anchoring against tide and current, while pavine 
 out the rope and its wires, from the submerged tank to the shore they are 
 anchored at intervals of 300 feet, by lashing to them ketledges' so as to 
 bring the rope and its wires op the bed of the river. On reachina; the 
 shore, the wires are connected thus : one wire from each tank is numbered 
 and laid into a prepared trench extending from extreme low water mark to 
 the bomb- proof or sheltering stand, a sketch of which is seen by section on 
 A B. 
 
KJSBEL TOEPEDOKS. 17 
 
 The other wires are.cut off, above extreme -high water mark, their- ends 
 freed from insulating njiaterial, scraped, and then connected to any of the 
 wires lying inthetrenqh, as a centre wire,, by removing, its insulation and 
 wrapping around it those scraped wire ends. 
 This being done they are insulated, as shown in sketch "connections atG." 
 The wires are then entrenched up to the bomb-proof, and are carried, ex- 
 cepting that which is used as a centre wire, to its berm, where they are con- 
 nected to the Key Plate in the following manner: — Nos. 1, '2,3, 4, or what- 
 ever .arbitrary numbers are used to discriminate among the submerged 
 tanks, must be connected to the same-numbers on the thin'copper-slips em- 
 ployed as circuit keys. 
 
 Thecentre wire is, connected inside the 'bomb-proof to one pole of the 
 Galvanic Battery, while from its other pole a wire'passes to the berm and 
 is there attached to the continuous strip of copper lying immediatelyunder 
 the points of the keys upon the K.ey plate. 
 
 The Galvanic Battery is only charged when an enemy is approaching, 
 and then the centre wire connecting the Key plate is disconnected and re- 
 moved from the Key plate, to avoid any accidental 'discharge of the tanks. 
 As soon, however, as the enemy is within one or two hundred yards of 
 the position of the submerged tanks, the central wire i's reeonnected and 
 the arrangement complete as an element of idestructiou in defenslTe war- 
 fare. 
 
 To, explode, for example, No. 3 tank, touch the upper Key, maTked No. 3, 
 60 as to bring its point in. contact with the continuous strip of copper ly- 
 ,in£^beneath it; and so for the remaining tanks. 
 
 That the operator, who is generally on the berm or' lookout station, 
 infiy know whenever an enemy is over a tank, stakes, called range stakes, 
 are driven in the mound or parapet as follows: — a centre stake (C) is driv- 
 en permanently into the superior slope, allowing six inches to rise above its 
 surface. From the crown of this stake, at the time of location, sight to the 
 point of submergence of each tank, and drive, in, the- direction of this line 
 of sight, stakes corresponding in number to the number of the tank, care- 
 fully observing that these little stakes have their tops exactly in the line of 
 sight from the top of the central stake (0)to those points on the surface .of 
 .J^ewater under. which the tanks lie, as showniby section on C D. 
 
 The test usually employed in detecting extraordinary escape in 
 the galvanic current to these tanks was that familiar to t^legi'aph ope- 
 rators and known by them as the "tongue test.'' Tt was deemed 
 Auffiqi^litly acouirate for ordinary purposes, since the length of cable . 
 employed seldom overreached a mile. If an escape exists between 
 the tan,k and the battery, this was readily detected by the electrician, 
 wjiose duties were to ajttend to this and alwaysinsure a ready discharge 
 of the tank. To be able to make the detection, it was necessary 
 ibr the electrician to test thoroughly the cable or wires before at- 
 itaching them to the tank, and to test immediately after laying the 
 tanl?. in its.position in the sea, 'ba,y, or river. If for example, tank No. 3 
 vvas to be tested, put one pole of the battery in eomieotion with the ground, 
 and remove :the centre wire, leaving its end suspended in the atmosphere 
 now bring the points of No. 3 wire, and the wire from the other end of 
 the battery to the end of the tongue; if a sharp, acrid sensation with free 
 secretions'of saliva are experienced, you may be sure an escape exists 
 somewhere between yourself and tank, which if very_ heavy would make 
 it necessary to overhaul the wire and find the defective point, in order 
 to secure the discharge of the tank. 
 
18 REBEL TORPEDOES. 
 
 These torpedoes were used in defence of the inlets at Forts Fisher and 
 Caswell at the mouth of Cape Fear liiver, and it was one of this class of 
 torpedoes which destroyed the steamer Commodore Jones in the James 
 Kiver in May 1864. These torpedoes have been known to explode twelve 
 months after the submergence. 
 
 Subterranean Connections. 
 
 The Subterranean Torpedoes had for each group an intrenched insula- 
 ted wire, one end of which joined a brass connecting screw on the Mag- 
 neto-Electric Machine or exploder, and the other, one of the two fuze 
 wires which project from the muzzles of each tank constituting the group; 
 while the remaining projecting wire from the muzzle of each tank was 
 either fastened to its exterior surface, or else joined to a plate of iron bur- 
 ied with the tanks. The location of groups was by means of range 
 stakes as in the submarine torpedoes, or by a small red flag placed in the 
 centre of each group. 
 
 The groups were generally fired singly, but all could be fired at once. 
 
 The machine for firing the groups was brought from England where it 
 was known as "Wheatstone's Magneto-Exploder for Mines," from Prof. 
 Wh^atstone, the inventor. The Magneto-Machine, in principle, was sim- 
 ply an inductive Magnetic Machine difioring from those formerly used 
 for medicinal purposes in having its armatures to revolve instead of its he- 
 lices, and in being more powerful by reason of combining more horseshoe 
 magnets and a greater number of helices. The connection plate is shown 
 (full size) in fig. 6, Plate XIII. 
 
 The firing was by means of an induced current, which starting from 
 the machine on turning its handle, fired the composition on its leap be- 
 tween the terminals of the small copper wires in the fuze. 
 
 Operating with floating Torpedoes. 
 
 It is best to use two boats. Let the dress of the crews and every thing 
 about the boats be of a lead color. The boats must mount about four 
 muffled oars each. One carries the torpedo; the other the dummy with 
 the connecting line attached. Approach within a safe distance of the 
 vessel to be destroyed, say 250 yards. Get in such a position that her 
 masts will be m line. As she is free to swing, this will indicate the direc- 
 tion of the current. 
 
 The boats now separate and move slowly in opposite directions, until 
 the line connecting the torpedo and dummy is tightened; they are then 
 placed noiselesslv in the water. 
 
 Whatever safety arrangement is used in the torpedo is released, and if 
 a horological one the clock work put in motion, and the torpedo started 
 on its errand. Ihe boats then get away with all possible expedition 
 
 Communication between the boats must be had only by signs, and 
 their crews should be very thoroughly exercised in their duties before 
 any actual 'operations are attempted. 
 
REBEL TOBFESOES. 19 
 
 Head Quarteks, Depaktment of South Carolina. 
 Hilton Head, Nov. 1, 1865. 
 Brig. Gen. R. Dblapield, 
 
 Chief op Engineers U. S. A. 
 Washington. 
 
 General : 
 I transmit herewith* for the files of the Engineer Department draw- 
 ings* of six different kinds of torpedoes, used by the enemy in the de- 
 fence of Charleston. 
 
 Very respectfully. 
 
 Your obed'nt serv'nt, ^ 
 fg. ^ 6II XWQ]EEv 
 
 Maj. Gen'l Commanding. 
 
 « See Plate XIV. 
 
rnriosr torpedoes. 
 
 IVortlirup's Submarine Battery. 
 
 This torpedo, «hown in Plate XV, was patented by Mr. N. W. Northri^p 
 and the following is an extract from his speciflcation, as recorded in the 
 U. S. Patent Office. 
 "The nature of my invention consists in cprjstructing.a buoy (BJ with 
 
 an internal magazine of explosive material, arranged with caps, nipples, 
 spring-hammers (S), and levers (L), to be operated by means pf attached 
 cords (C) and wires, to ignite the magazine wl^pn a proper object comes 
 Hi:e6rntaet witkithe^buoy or wires; the same to be anchored in the chan- 
 nel wheice theobject to 'be destroyed must pass." ****** 
 
 lianyard' Torpedo. 
 
 Fig. 1, PI*te Xyi, shows -the arrangement of this torpedo, as it was 
 devise^, for ,the purpose of attacking one of the rebel iron dads in James 
 lliver. 
 
 It consisted in an old cask, which had been used for a torpedo by the 
 rebels, provided with several friction primers and a lanyard, the primers, 
 being so adjusted as to be exploded in succession by pulling the lanyard. 
 
 The manner of operating was to be as follows :— The torpedo and lan- 
 yard, being each floated by a small buoy, were to be placed carefully in 
 the river, above the vessel to be destroyed, and thence guided obliquely 
 across the stream, as indicated by the dotted line, (Fig. 2), by a single 
 swimmer, the latter taking care to keep out of hailing distance of the ene- 
 my. As soon as the operator has reached such a point that the torpedo 
 would be certain to pass beyond thevessel, if left to the action of the cur- 
 rent, he lets go of the torpedo buoy, and swims back to the nearest point of 
 the shore with the lanyard buoy, paying out the lanyard as he goes, until 
 he arrives at a safe distance. He then pulls gently on the lanyard, thus 
 bringing the torpedo into actual contact with tlie vessel when a sudden 
 jerk determines the explosion. 
 
 The sudden withdrawal of the enemy's iron-clads to a point within his 
 line of fortifications rendered the application of this plan impracticable. 
 
 Wasujngtoi\, i). 0. 
 
 December 29, 1864. 
 Brig, Gen. Delafield, 
 
 CniEr Engineer, D. S. A. 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 General : 
 
 I have the honor to report, that in obedicme to your instructions of 
 the 8th, 1 joined on the 10th inst. the Korth Atlantic Squadron under 
 command of Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, then lying in Hampton Koads, 
 and was assigned by him to the V. S. Steamer Rhode Island, Capt. S 
 D. Trenchard, U. S. Navy. 
 
UNION TORPEDOES. 21 
 
 This fleet was concentrated for an attack upon the rebel defences of the 
 new inlet to Cape Fear Ri ver, covering one ol the approaches to the city of 
 Wilmington, N. C. 
 
 The point of attack selected was Fort Fisher, and one of the means of 
 attack decided upon, as first to be projected against this work, was the 
 explosion of a large mass of gunpowder placed as near to its para,pets as 
 it could be carried in a vessel, in the hopes that the effects produced 
 would be the great injury, if not destruction, of the fortification, its ar- 
 mament, and garrison ; the least efiect expected, was, that the garrison 
 should be so paralysed and stunned, as to ofier small resistance to subse- 
 quent assaults. 
 
 The vessel selected to carry the powder, was the U. 'S. purchased pro- 
 peller "Louisiana" of 296 tons* measurement, having an iron hull. 
 
 It was decided to disguise her to resemble as much as possible a block- 
 ade runner, and to endeavor to place her in the desired position without 
 beiog discovered by the enemy. To these ends, the masts and armament 
 of the vessel were removed, and the deck-house extended forward to 
 within a few feet of the stem, to furnish additional room for stowage of 
 the powder. A sham smoke-stack, inadd.conto the- real one, was set 
 up, and the whole vessel painted a neutral tint nearly approaching to 
 white. 
 
 In stowing the powder, it was determined to pla«e it as much a^ pos- 
 sible above the water line, and a light d%ck a few inches below the wa- 
 ter line was constructed in the lower hold. Upon this was first placed a 
 tier of barrels full of powder, standing upon end, with the upper heads 
 removed. The remainder of the powder was in canvas bags, holding 
 aboat 60 pounds each; the whole being stowed as shown in Plate XVIL 
 The total number of tons of powder placed on board, was, two hundred 
 and fifteen. 
 
 To communicate fire to this mass of powder in such a manner as to 
 produce simultaneous ignition of the whole, four separate threads of 
 "Gromez fuze"t were woven through, and between the mass just above 
 the main hold, and two ends run down both the forward and after hatch- 
 es of the main hold. 
 
 Where these threads crossed each other, in the mass of powder, they 
 were "married'" or spliced, in such a way, that the fire passing along 
 either thread, would communicate itself to the other two. 
 
 In addition to this, three threads were led from the small room on 
 the starboard side of the Engine-room, through the forward bulkhead, 
 and into the mass of powder just in front of it. In a small locker or 
 hold, quite aft, sind under the cabin (H), pine wood and other' combus- 
 tibles, were placed, to be fired as the crew left the vessel. 
 
 To communicate fire to the fuzes, the following mechanical appliances 
 were made use of. The first consisted of the ordinary clock-work move- 
 ments, and upon the arbor of the minute hand, a small cylinder was at- 
 tached. Upon the surface of this cylinder, at the extremities of two dia- 
 meters at right angles to each other, four small and smooth steel pins were 
 inserted. A loop at the end of a catgut thread, was passed over one of 
 these pins, and the cord then wound upon the cylinder m the direction of 
 its motion. The thread was then conducted over a small pulley, and had 
 attached to its extremity a two pound grape shot. 
 
 * See Plate XVII. 
 t Beprosented in Figs. 1 & 2, by small black lines. 
 
22 UNION TOKPEDOBS. 
 
 This shot played freely within a vertical copper cylinder, some three 
 feet in length, the bottom of which was closed by a disk with a hole 
 through its centre. In this hole, and within the cylinder, a musket cone 
 or nipple was fastened. The ends of the fuzes, not inserted in the pow- 
 der, were fastened, so as to be exposed to the flame driven through this 
 cone, when a cap was exploded upon it. 
 
 As the arbor of the minute hand in revolving, would unwind the 
 thread suspending the grape shot, a moment would arrive, when the 
 loop of the thread would slip off the small pin holding it, when the shot 
 would fall upon the percussion cap with a force sufficient to explode it, 
 and thus ignite the fuzes. Of course, the number of turns, or parts of a 
 turn of the thread, upon the- cylinder j would determine the time that 
 would elapse before the falling of the shot, and in this way, the time of the 
 explosion would be regulated. 
 
 The second device, consisted of a small box, some six inches square in 
 cross section, and one or two feet long, having five round holes through 
 its cover, and into which pieces of spermaceti candle were inserted. Un- 
 derneath these holes, and within the box, an end of fuze was fastened, 
 the covering of the composition within it being first removed. The can- 
 dles were cut to a suitable length, their rate of burning having been first 
 determined, and when consumed, the burning wicks falling upon the fuze 
 caused it to ignite. 
 
 The third device, consisted of a' box similar to that on which the can- 
 dles were placed, its two ends, however, having been removed. In this 
 wooden tube, and attached to one of its sides, was a spiral coil of wire 
 not exactly horizontal, within which a piece of slow match was fastened. 
 To one end of this slow match,^ one of the fuzes was attached. 
 
 There were three sets of clock-work and percussion arrangements for 
 firing the fuzes, one candle box, and one slow match box. 
 
 The three clocks were placed as follows : — one, on the starboard side of 
 the vessel, near the waist, and beneath the hurricane deck, communicar 
 ting fire to two fuzes, one of these leading into the forward hatch and 
 the other, into the after hatch. The second clock, on the port side in a 
 similar position, and communicating fire to two fuzes, which lead in 
 a similar manner. The other clock, and the candle and slow match boxes 
 were placed in the small room on the starboard side of the engine room 
 and, each communicated with but one fuze, leading through the bulk^ 
 bead into the mass of powder just forward. 
 
 *****■.** 
 
 Fort Fisher*, the work against which this powder vessel was conduct- 
 ed, is an earthen fort, of an irregular quadrilateral trace, with bastions 
 at the four angles. The exterior sides will average about 250 yards. Its 
 northeastern salient approaches the high water mark within about one 
 hundred yards. Prom this salient, across the beach, a stockade is erect- 
 ed, leading quite down to the water's edge. The land faces of this work 
 exposed to an enfilading fire from the water, are very heavily traversed. 
 The tops of these traverses are quite six feet above the general line of 
 the interior crests, and from their size, may have also afforded bomb- 
 proof shelters for the garrison. The exterior and superior slopes of the 
 parapets, and the surfaces of the traverses are well sodded. The Quar- 
 ters of the men, (wooden shanties), were situatedjust outside of the work 
 and to the north of it. One small wooden building stood nearly upon 
 
 * See Plate A, Fig. 1, and Beport of Bvt. Brig. Gen. C. B. Comstock, in Chief Enir' 
 Report for the year ending June 30th 1805. * " 
 
UNION TORPEDOES. 23 
 
 the north glacis, and but a short distance from the northwest bastion. 
 Strewn along, just outside the beach, and nearly in front of this fort, are 
 several wrecks of blockade runners, one in particular, which has three 
 smoke funnels, that at high water extend some distance above its surface. 
 
 In a southerly direction from the fort, the bar and shallow water ex- 
 tend off from the shore, but in a northeastwardly direction, deep water, 
 say to three fathoms, can be carried well in towards the northeast sali- 
 ent. 
 
 This was the direction in which the powder ship was carried towards 
 the fort ; or more correctly, the bearing of the fort from the powder ves- 
 sel, when finally exploded, was W.S. "W. by J W. 
 
 The vessel was taken to its position, on the night of Dec. 23d, under 
 the command of Commander A. C. Khind, U. S. Navy, and was placed 
 by him, as he informed me, within three hundred yards of the northeast 
 salient of the Fort, and that too, without being discovered by the enemy. 
 A blockade runner going in just ahead of the vessel, acted as a guide in 
 its navigation, and at the same time threw the garrison off its guard. 
 
 After starting the various appliances for firing the fuzes, the time of 
 their running having been fixed at an hour and a half,, and also setting 
 fire to the combustibles collected in the after-hold, the crew escaped in a 
 swift steamer, held in waiting for them. The explosion took place in one 
 hour and fifty two minutes from the time of first setting the fire, and at 
 about 2 o'clock on the morning of Bee. 24th. 
 
 As viewed from the decks of the U. S. Steamer "Rhode Island", at a 
 distance of some twelve miles, the first thing observed, was, a bright 
 flame, which suddenly leaped into the air to a b eight, that would subtend 
 some 6 or 8 degrees of arc. The flame was filled with bright points, or 
 oorrusoations, that made its appearance very beautiful. Some ten se- 
 conds after the appearance of the flame, two sharp and singing reports, 
 about as loud as those from a 6 pdr. brass gun, and following each 
 other in rapid succession, were heard directly over the point of observar 
 tion. At the same instant, the vessel was sensibly jarred and shaken, 
 and upon one of the vessels of the squadron, some window glass was 
 broken by the concussion. Immediately following this, a low rumbling 
 noise, like distant thunder, was heard in the direction of the explosion, 
 and all was then quiet. The jar and noise of this explosion, were appa- 
 rent at points from 60 to 100 miles removed from it, namely, at Beau- 
 fort and Newbern, N. 0. , 
 
 Upon an examination of the Fort the next morning, no perceptible 
 effects could be seen to have been produced upon the work. 
 
 The edges and crests of the parapets and traverses, remained as sharp 
 and well defined as ever. The grass covering their surfaces, had not 
 been stripped from them. No slides or craters in the parapets could be 
 observed. The stockade from the northeast bastion was intact, and the 
 wooden barracks and other buildings about the fort were still standing. 
 The three smoke-pipes in the wrecked steamer, (which was some 900 
 yards from the exploded vessel), were still standing. It is not believed 
 that any guns were dismounted, and as the Fort replied to the fleet for 
 the first hour and a quarter of the fight upon the 24th instant, it is not 
 probable the garrison were so much demoralized as to unfit them for ser- 
 vice. 
 
 It is very much to be regretted, that greater injury to this work did 
 not result from this experiment, but it is believed k glance at the effects 
 produced in a number of recorded cases of exjjlosions, taking especial 
 note of the distances beyond which no destructive action was experien- 
 
24 UNION TORPEDOES. 
 
 oed, will show, that the explosion was not an exception to those that have 
 preceded. 
 
 In Aprill585, a powder vessel, the "Hope", was sent from Antwerp 
 against the bridge erected by Alexander Farnese, Prince of Parma, 
 across the Scheldt. The vessel was about 80 tons burden, and contained 
 seven thousand pounds of powder. The arrangement of its stowage 
 was as follows : Along the whole length of the hold was laid down a 
 solid flooring of brick and mortar, one foot thick, and Ave feet wide. 
 Upon this was built a chamber of marble mason-work, forty feet long, 
 three and a half feet broad, as many high, and with side walls five feet 
 in thickness. 
 
 In this the powder was placed, and it was covered with a roof, six 
 feet in thickness, formed of blue tomb-stones placed edgewise. 
 
 Over this crater rose a hollow cone or pyramid made of heavy marble 
 slabs, and filled with stones, cannon balls, blocks of marble, chain shots, 
 iron hooks, plough coulters, &c. The space between the mine and the 
 sides of the ship was likewise filled with paving-stones, iron-bound 
 stakes, harpoons, and other projectiles. The powder was exploded by 
 means of clock-work, and at the instant of explosion the vessel was lying 
 alongside of the bridge. The total length of the bridge was 2400 feet, 
 and a breach but 200 feet long was made in it. It is stated that houses 
 wore toppled down miles away, and that some were killed by a concus- 
 sion of the air, at a distance of 300 yards from the exploded vessel. 
 
 In April 1809, an explosive vessel devised by Capt. Lord Cochrane, 
 of the British Navy, was moved by him against the Irench fleet then ly- 
 ing in the Basque lioads, under the protection of the batteries of Isle 
 d'Aix. This fleet was still further protected from the approach of this 
 ■^ssel, and other "fire-ships,'' by a heavy boom stretched across the 
 Roads in front of the fleet. The boom was constructed of heavy logs and 
 spars, chained together, and otherwise secured by anchors and cables. 
 The arrangement of the powder-vessel was as follows : The floor was 
 rendered as firm as possible by means of logs, placed in close contact, in- 
 tO' every crevice of which other substances were firmly wedged; so as to 
 ofl'er the greatest amount of resistance to the explosion. On this founda- 
 tion were placed a large number of spirit and water-casks, into which 
 1500 barrels of powder were emptied. These casks were set on end, and 
 the whole bownd round with hempen cables so as to resemble a gigantic 
 mortar, thus causing the explosion to ^ke an upward course. In addi- 
 tion to the powder-casks, were placed several hundred shells, and over 
 these again nearly three thousand hand-grenades, the whole, by means 
 of wedges and sand, being compacted as nearly as possible, into a solid 
 mass. This vessel was exploded while in direct contact with the boom, 
 which was broken in pieces, not however by the direct action of the pow- 
 der, but by a huge wave caused by the explosion in the water. 
 
 When the "explosive vessel" blew up, the French Frigate "Indienne" 
 was lying within a half cable's length of it, and was not injured in the 
 least. 
 
 I am, General, very respectfully, 
 Yovir oLid'nt servant, 
 
 THO. LINCOLN CASEY, 
 Major Corps of Engineers. 
 
UNION TORPEDO**. 25 
 
 The following extracts from a faper submitted bj the Chief Engineer 
 to the War Department being of interest as well as of historieal .value 
 are given in this connection ; — 
 
 Engineer Department 
 Nor. 18th, ,L864. 
 Chas. a. Dana, Es(}. 
 
 Ass't Sechetary op War, 
 Sir: 
 Please find herewith my views on the subject of destroying I'ort Cas- 
 well, (or Fisher), by exploding a vessel loaded with gunpowder at the 
 nearest point she could approach those works, and in reply to your de- 
 sire to be furnished with such information. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 ^ (Signed) RICHARD DELAFIELD, 
 
 General and Chief Engineer. 
 
 No vessel drawing ten feet of water can approach nearer to the Fort 
 (Caswell) than 450 yards ; and Fort Fisher is nearly double that distance 
 from the nearest point to which such a vessel can approach. 
 
 ******** 
 
 I consider that the explosion of a vessel load of gunpowder at the 
 nearest point it can approach Port Caswell, or Fisher, can. produce no 
 useful result, towards the reduction of those works, and that no such 
 vessel as the one proposed to be so loaded can be navigated and placed at 
 the nearest point to these forts, provided the forts kre garrisoned and their 
 •j-uns served with hollow projectiles and hot shot. 
 ° ******* * 
 
 I will now give several instances of the explosion of large quantities 
 of gunpowder, and the recorded results of the effect produced, in exem- 
 plification of the preceding views. 
 
 1st. Explosion of the Magazine at Fort Lyons, of the defences of 
 Washington, on the 9th, of June, 1863. The floor of the magazine was 
 9 feet below the parade of the fort. The space for powder was 64'X 
 7'X7' covered on top With logs 15 inches square by 18 feet long, and 
 above them eight feet of earth (in thickness). _ The amount of powder 
 in the magazine was 17,500 lbs. in barrels, besides which, there was am- 
 munition prepared for 900 cartridges for thirty-two pounders, 750, 
 for twenty-four pounders, and 500, for thirty pounder Parrott guns, and 
 about 200 rounds for field pieces. By the explosion, the earth over and 
 on top of the magazine was scattered in every direction, principally up- 
 wards. It fell in considerable quantities at a distance of four to five 
 hundred yards; other portions of earth were thrown to the right and left, 
 iuid deposited immediately alongside the outline of the magazine; — the 
 
26 UNION TOKPEDiPS^ 
 
 logs on top of the powder room were thrown in every direction. Some 
 pieces were thrown to a great distance — in one case, six hundred yards. 
 The diameter of the crater was about forty-five feet on top; the explo- 
 sion did not affect the other earthwork of the fort to any material extent, 
 although it surrounded the magazine on three sides, and not more than 
 eighty feet from, and i-ising several feet above it. One gun on the ram- 
 part was thrown into battery, and tipped forward with its muzzle rest^ 
 mg on the parapet. 
 
 The loaded shells in the magazine were thrown to various distances; in 
 one case, as far as 2,500 yds. The wooden buildings and tents, used as 
 officers' quarters, placed near the magazine, were entirely destroyed. 
 At the time of the explosion, most of the garrison were in the bomb-proof, 
 which opens in the fron^, opposite the magazine, and sexenty-Jive feet from 
 it. All the officers and men therein escaped uninjured. At a house 350 yds. 
 from the magazine, the glass of the windows was blown violently in, 
 and the doors out. The walls were started out and towards the magazine 
 — in one part, more than an inch ; while the whole house was settled 
 unevenly on its foundations. Several persons were lifted up, and thrown 
 to some distance, — in one instance about 150 yds., escaping with only 
 slight bruises, while others sustained scarcely a mark on their bodies. 
 
 2nd. Another example of an explosion jjf a depot of powder, of re- 
 cent date, occurred at Oity Point, Va. A canal boat moored alongside 
 the wharf contained surplus ammunition amounting to not loss than eight 
 tons, some of it in boxes, which may not all have exploded. There seem- 
 ed to be but one explosion. A similar canal boat, or barge, was moored 
 against and on the outside of the one loaded with powder. The wharf 
 was built on piles. On the wharf was a wooden store house one story in 
 height. About 300 feet of this wharf was destroyed, and a correspond- 
 ing portion of the store house was blown down. A loaded railroad train 
 was on the track, on the opposite side of the wharf, and the engineer 
 was on his engine. Neither the train, engine, nor engineer was injured. 
 Across the railroad, about 165 yds., from the explosion, stood some light 
 wooden buildings, sutlers' tents, &o. All of these were blown downj'or 
 so much injured that they were torn down. Several persons were killed 
 in and around these buildings. Fragments of the boat were thrown 
 some 500 yds., of a size, and with a velocity, sufficient lo kill a man. My 
 informant was in his tent about 550 yds. from the explosion : he felt the 
 shock very sensibly, but received no injury except from jiieoes of projec- 
 tiles. ' " 
 
 A small boat alongside the barge, next to the one blown up, contained 
 several men;the boat was capsized and some of the men slightly injured 
 No case of injury to any individual could be found, ncept those sirvck 
 with some projectile. 
 
 3d. An explosion occurred in July 1848, on board a soJioonei' at thc 
 levee, opjposite the City of New Orleans, loaded with 656 boxes 'of -ini^ 
 munition and other boxes of ordnance storei-. It took place after 140 
 boxes of ordnance stores had been unloaded, and reshipiied on board a 
 steamer alongside the schooner, destroying the schooner, killino- one '^nd 
 wounding another man on board. No injury was done to tfe H'veral 
 other vessels m the immediate neighborhood ; to the steamer alono-s'idc • or 
 to the buildings on shore. *^ 
 
 4th. In the vicinity of New York two instances of explosions 
 are recorded. Ihe one a powder magazine near the Navy Yard at 
 Brooklyn, which exploded about the year 1807, throwing pieces of 
 the building over into the city of New York and about the city „(■ 
 
VNJOiN TOKPEUOES. 27 
 
 Brooklyn, producing no injury, so far as can be now ascertained, to build- 
 ings by the explosion of the powder. 
 
 The second case occurred about 1830. The steam Frigate f ulton, the 
 first vessel of this character ever built, (finished and in service in 1814) 
 was injured by the explosion of her magazine, while moored on the flats 
 at the Navy Yard. T'he quantity of powder on board was small, and al- 
 though enough to destroy much of the vessel, it did no injury to sur- 
 rounding objects. 
 
 The vessel had timber sides several feet thick,, floated on two hulls 
 with paddle-wheels between them. 
 
 5th. At Dupont's powder factory near Wilmington, Delaware^ there 
 have been numerous explosions from time to time. 
 
 The injury done, beyond the immediate locality of the Mill or Depot, 
 has been from fragments of the building, in which the powder was stored 
 or being manufactured, and no material injury from concussion, or blast 
 of powder. 
 
 6th. The recent test of the 20 inch gun at Fort Hamilton, near N. Y. 
 was another instance where the effect of blast of powder was observed. 
 
 With a charge of 12.5 lbs., of powder, men were stationed directly in 
 the line of Are, distant about seventy-five feet from, the muzzle, and 
 screened by the river bank, that rose about twenty feet above their 
 heads, and about twenty-eight feet below the level of the axis of the gun 
 prolonged ; they experienced no inconvenience from the blast. 
 
 7th. Keferring to European experience, I may call your attention to 
 the depot magazine of the French Army at the siege of Sebastopol, in 
 the iVlamelon Vert, in 1855. , It contained 1 5,400 lbs. of powder. It oc- 
 cupied the centre of the work; was sunk below the parade, and made 
 bomb-proof above and around by earth and logs, similar in most respects 
 to that at Fort Lyons. Its explosion formed a crater extending to the 
 limits of the terre-plein of this small work, but did no material injury to 
 the rampart, or even the parapets. Two batteries distant fifty yards 
 from the centre of the magazine were injured, 140 men were killed and 
 wounded, some by the first effect of the explosion, others by the masses 
 of earth, stone, and timbers, that were carried a considerable distance. 
 Beams were thrown inside the Kussian lines. 
 
 8th. In 1840, the English and Turkish fleets bombarded St. Jean 
 d'Acre blowing up an extensive arsenal within the limits of the defen- 
 ces. It was situated in the ditch, with ramparts on each side, about 50 
 feet from the building. The explosion formed a crater extending under 
 the two ramparts, making a breach in each of them, killing and wound- 
 ing about 1600 men, who at the moment of the explosion, were on' the 
 ramparts adjacent to the Arsenal. 
 
 The quantity of powder in this extensive building could not be ascer- 
 tained, although it was known to fill the building, with some exposed 
 in the Court Yard, in the open air. The mass of stone, earth, and tiitiber 
 appears to have caused the death of the troops. 
 
 9th. We have numerous instances of the blowing up of ships of the 
 line, as the French Admiral's ship off Aboukir, and the Turkish Admi- 
 ral's ship at Navarino, where the destruction of the ships was entire and 
 complete : but no effect is known, or supposed to have followed from the 
 expansion of the gases acting upon the surrounding atmosphere. 
 
 KJth. The square Tower at Brescia, of 70 feet high and 18 feet "out to 
 out" was destroyed in 1769, by the explosion of gunpowder stored with- 
 in it as a magazine, containing at the time 160,000 pounds (French) of 
 powder. 
 
UNION TORPEDOES. 
 
 Within a radius of 100 toises, 190 houses were destroyed; within a 
 radius of 300 toises 500 houses were greatly injured, 308 persons were kil- 
 led and 500 wounded. A stone w^ghing 1501bs. was thrown one Itali- 
 an mile. The walls of this building were 4' 9" (French) thick. It was 
 two stories high, separated by masonry arch, entirely above ground. 
 
 11th. A magazine exploded during the si6ge of Almeida^ (Spain), 
 containing 150,000 lbs. (French) of powder. The cathedral, distant 165 
 metres was destroyed, and 500 inhabitants were buried in the ruins of 
 the, adjacent bmldings. The French trenches were filled with the ruins, 
 and large masses of stone, and pieces of the heaviest caliber, were 
 thrown into the country over the ramparts. Three q^uarters of this 
 small town, within a radius of 200 metres, was destroyed. The trench- 
 es were, at the time, from 600 to 800 metres distant. 
 
 12th. In October 1864, on the south bank of the Thames, between 
 Brith and Woolwich two powder magazines, and two barges loaded with 
 powder, exploded, killing 8 or 9 persons and wounding others. 
 
 The quantity of powder in the largest magazine (Hairs) of 50 feet 
 square on two floors, was 750 barrels, and in the smaller one (Lowood's) 
 of 28''X48' was 90 barrels, and in the two barges then at the wharves 
 200 barrels. Making the total quantity exploded about 104,000 lbs. 
 
 The two magazines were 135 feet from each other, situated on the 
 edge of the river immediately behind the dyke. The two barges were 
 moored alongside the wharves, or jetties, one of which projected into the 
 river 122 feet, and the other 120 feet. Connected with these two maga- 
 zines were three cottages occupied by workmen and their families. One 
 of them (Raynor's) was 71 yards from Hall's ma;gazine; another, (occu- 
 pied by York,.) was 70 yards ; and the third (occupied by Silver,) was 50 
 yards from the Lowood magazine. 
 
 These two magazines and three houses situated as above, were upon a 
 tract of 20 acres of ground, and the only buildings within a mile of the 
 disaster. There were three distinct explosions. The first, on board the 
 barges, which tore asunder the large magazine, which latter caused the 
 smaller one to ex-plode. Of these magazines not a single stone remained 
 upon another. The barges were split into fragments and hurled into the 
 air. The embankment was dostroyed, forming a crater of 75 feet in 
 length, and 30 feet deep. Raynor's cottage was entirely destroyed, him- 
 self and son were killed, his wife and daughter were dug out of the ru- 
 ins alive. Silver's cottage was in ruins. In it a child was killed. Sil- 
 ver himself was at the back door, and was tlu-own down by the first ex- 
 plosion, but not hurt, while the house was destroyed by the second and 
 third explosions. He was dug out of the ruins. 
 
 No damage was done beyond the twenty acres hi wJiich the magazines 
 and houses were built, othsT than breaking some panes of glass, and 
 doors. The shock was felt more or less throughout London, distant at 
 the nearest point about 15 miles, and some statements give the distance 
 as great as 40 and 50 miles, to which it was felt. 
 
 A magazine } of a mile from those blown up, was uninjured. The 
 storekeeper and four workmen were in this magazine at the time. The 
 second explosion knocked them down, and a piece of iron fell through 
 the roof. Another magazine lay at a distance of a quarter of a mile 
 further off, andia Government magazine, one mile, to which no injury 
 was done. 
 
DNION TpEPElJOES. 29 
 
 Cable Cutter, 
 
 This apparatus shown in Plate XX, was intended for removing piles, 
 cables, and other obstructions, which the enemy had placed in Southern 
 rivers and channels to prevent:the passage of Union gunboats. ' 
 
 It consisted of a cast iron case (a a) in every way similar to an ordi- 
 nary mortar, and having a water-tight tqmpion (6), with a wedge-shaped 
 top, screwed to the face of the muzzle through a thin circular flange. A 
 ring of leather or gum-packiug was placed between this flange and the 
 muzzle to prevent leakage, and a small hole (f) was made in the tompion 
 for the fuze or electric wire. 
 
 Of the precise manner in which they were to be used, nothing can be 
 ascertained; but it is supposed that they were to be suspended from a 
 vessel, by the trunnions, in such a manner that the edge of the tompion 
 should oome in contact with the object to be removed, and while in this 
 position tired, by electricity or otherwise. 
 
 Sbell Torpedo. 
 
 This Torpedo, Plate XXI, is essentially the same as the "Ground Tor- 
 pedo," described on page 14. 
 
 > 
 
 IV^ood and I^ay's Torpedo. 
 
 Figs. 1 & 2, Plate XXIII, are a section and end view of this torpedo, 
 showing its internal arrangement, and the projections for attaching it to 
 the spar by which its movements were directed. This torpedo was used 
 in the Navy for offensive purposes, and was the one used by Lt. Gushing 
 in destroying the rebel ram, ^'Albemarle", at Plymouth, N. C, in 18tj4. 
 Some experiments were also made with it by Capt. Boggs, U. S. Navy, 
 at Schenectady, to which allusion will be made hereafter. 
 
 The manner of operating with this torpedo was briefly this : — being 
 attached to a spar by means of the lug (B), and the spar properly con- 
 nected with the. bow of a torpedo boat, the torpedo was run under the 
 vessel to be destroyed, detached from the spar by a device for that pur- 
 pose, and allowed to rise (as it naturally would do, because of the air- 
 <!hamber (M),) until it^comes in contact with the object, when the explo- 
 sion is determined by pulling the lanyard (L), which withdraws the pin, 
 and allows the ball to fall and explode the percussion cap (X). 
 
 Newbbkn, N.C., June27, 1864. 
 Brig. Gen. Delafield, 
 
 Chief Engineer, U. S. A. 
 General ; 
 
 Soon after the fall of Plymouth, N. C, I was directed by Gen'l. Pal- 
 mer to construct some Torpedoes, with a view to destroying, if possible, 
 the formidable Ironclads with which the enemy proposed to clear the 
 Sounds of North Carolina. Thinking that the plan which was adopted 
 in the construction of these torpedoes might be of some use elsewhere, 
 it is forwarded for your consideration. 
 
30 UNION TORPEDOES. 
 
 Several very satisfactory experiments have been made with them, but 
 I regret that I am unable to report the only positive evidence of their 
 success — the accomplishment of the object for which they were intended. 
 As soon as a small number of torpedoes had been completed, we stari^ 
 ed with them for Roanoke River, hoping to be able to get them in posi- 
 tion before the ram "Albemarle," which had just returned to Plymouth 
 (after having driven our gun-boats down to Roanoke Island,) should 
 make a second descent. When within a short distance of the mouth of 
 the river, the Albemarle was seen coming cut, but the gun-boats, 
 which had returned with reinforcements, succeeded after a severe en- 
 gagement in driving her back again. We then placed some torpedoes in 
 the river, thinking she would come out to renew the engagement. This 
 she has not attempted to do, but on several occasions she has been down 
 part way, vvith small boats and drag ropes, evidently with the intention 
 of removing the torpedoes, the presence of which, it seems, they have 
 suspected. 
 
 Although the effect of placing these torpedoes in the river has not 
 ■ been to destroy the ram, they have effectually blockaded it where it can 
 do no harm, and they will probably continue to do so as long as the gun- 
 boats can drive off the working parties sent to remove them. 
 
 "With great respect, I am, sir. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. R. KING. 
 1st. Lieut. Corps of Engineers, 
 Chief Engineer Itis't. N. C. 
 
 The following description of this torpedo is respectfully submitted : 
 
 Figs. 2 & 3, Plate XXIV, are sections, and Figs. 1 & 4, elevations, or 
 end views of a torpedo. Figure 5 is a side view of a lever, or claw, which 
 is attached to the outside of the torpedo, as shown by Fig. 4, in cases 
 where it is impracticable to use a wire or lanyard, , for the purpose of 
 exploding them. Figs. 6 & 7, show the manner of mooring them in posi- 
 tion. 
 
 The essential parts of one of these torpedoes are, two water-tight 
 casks or barrels, one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds of 
 powder, three friction primer,'!, and ropes, weights and wires enough to 
 hold them in position, and explode them. In addition to these a small 
 plate of iron with holes to receive the friction primers has been screwed 
 to the upper side of the inner barrel, and in cases where a sentinel could 
 not be stationed to explode them with the wire, a lever with several 
 prongs sharpened like an engraver's chisel, so as to take hold of any 
 surface, however smooth, which may rub against them, has been at- 
 tached as before mentioned, and, in order to prevent floating bodies 
 from lodging against the upper end of them, a conical projection of 
 hoop iron has been attached. 
 
 It is thought that a small quantity of chloride of calcium, or any other 
 absorbent matter introduced into the spacfe between the barrels, would 
 make the arrangement still moie certain to "keep the powder dry." 
 
 lu the cunsiruction of these torpedoes, the hoops were first taken from 
 the barrels, one end at a time, and white lead forced into all the 
 
UNION, TORPEDOES. " 31 
 
 joints. The pi'imers were then attached to the inner barrel, and the lat- 
 ter fastened in position by small blocks, nailed between the chine of the 
 inner, and head of the outer barrel. The wire from the primers was 
 passed through a cork in the head of the outer barrel, the projecting 
 end being bent close to the head and fastened temporarily by a smaU 
 screw. Lastly, the powder was introduced, and both barrels tightly 
 plugged up. 
 
 The position selected for these torpedoes, is at a bend in the river, 
 where the channel is narrow, and where vessels in passing, make consid- 
 erable leeway, which increases the chances of their going broadside 
 against the line of torpedoes. 
 
 In order to place them, they were first moored in a line diagonally 
 across the stream, and then sunk in succession by attaching a weight of 
 150 to iiODlbs. to each, by a cord about five feet shorter than the depth of 
 water under it; the weight being lowered carefully by a second apd long- 
 er line, which is, afterwards attached to the line leading to the next torpedo 
 below, so as to keep the latter in position after the one above has been 
 exploded. Just as the torpedo was ready to sink the projecting end of 
 wire was dc^tached from the screw, and carefully joined to the lanyard or 
 lever according to the manner in which it was to be exploded. 
 
 In addition to the uses generally made of torpedoes, I think that these 
 may be found of great service in the defence of field works where, as is 
 often the case, a small garrison is required to withstand the Repeated 
 charge of a lai-ge and determined force. For this purpose, a few of 
 these torpedoes (without the appendages for anchoring &c,) could be 
 manufactured and kept at posts where they are likely to be needed. 
 They need not be filled until required for use. When, an attack is antici- 
 pated, a number of holes may be dug at some distance in front of the 
 counterscarp of the work and at those points which the enemy would 
 be most likely to pass, a torpedo placed in each and covered in the ordi- 
 nai*y way of covering a fougasse, the wire leading through a small trench 
 to the interior of the work. The depth to which they are to be buried, 
 and the size of the torpedo should of course be mutually regulated. 
 Should one or more of them be exploded, they may be replaced by a 
 , small working party, by night, in a very short time, and should the en- 
 emy retire and there be no mrther use for them, the powder may be ta- 
 ken out and used for other purposes. 
 
 They might also be of considerable value in the Navy. One of them 
 attached by means of a spar 50 or 60 feet long* to the bow of a vessel 
 might be placed and exploded under the most formidable iron-clad and 
 thus insure its destruction. 
 
 By a slight modification they may be arranged so as to be anchored at 
 the entrance of almost any harbor on our coasts, and exploded by the 
 slightest touch of a vessel going in any direction. Their position being 
 noted, so that they could be avoided or removed when it became necessa- 
 ■ ry for our own vessels to pass. In this way they would be an efficient 
 means to prevent blockade-running at the Southf, or the ingress of a 
 foreign enemy to any of our northern ports. 
 
 *■ It has ainoe been asoertained that half this length will answer all purposes, 
 t About the Ist of August, 1864, Gen. Butler then commanding the Department of Vir- 
 ginia and North Carolina, approved a proposition to test this plan in blockading the Port 
 of Wilmington, N. C, and ordered one hundred torpedoes to bo made, and anchored in 
 the mouth of Cape Tear BiTor. This order was countermanded during the following 
 
32 PStlON TOEPEDbES. 
 
 Having never seen any other kind of torpedo tried, I am not prepared 
 to state what are the peculiar advantages of this one. The lollowing 
 qualities, however, seem to be possessed : — 
 
 1st. Certainty of explosion. If we may assume that tut cne friction- 
 primer in ten fails, we may with equal certainty predict that there will 
 be but one chance in one thousand for three to fail in succession. In the 
 same way we find but few chances for two leaky barrels to be used in 
 the same torpedo, as must be the case in order that the powder may get 
 wet. I 
 
 2d. They require no buoys, or other marks, by which their location 
 can be detected by the enemy. 
 
 3d. The maieriois are not expensive aiid may be obtained at almost 
 any post occupied by our troops. 
 
 4tn. It requires no great amount of time, labor, or skill, to con- 
 struct them. Two ordinary workmen, a carpenter and blacksmith, can 
 easily make five or six per day. 
 
 Office or Chief Engineer, Dbpa.etment of the South, 
 Hilton Head, S. C, Oct. 26., 1864. 
 Bkig. Genl. R. Delameld, 
 Chief Engineer, U. S. A., 
 General : 
 
 By direction of Major Gen'l. Foster, I have this day forwarded by 
 Adams' Express, a box containing a railroad torpedo, tools, and draw- 
 ings* showing its use. 
 
 This torpedo was devised by Capt. Charles E. Smith, 3d U. S. C. T. 
 
 We have not as yet been able to try them on the enemy's railroads, 
 biit they have been thoroughly tested in experiments. The magazine 
 holds from 20 to 30 pounds of powder, and this is sufficient to blow a car 
 off the track besides utterly destroying it. TVo magazines can be used 
 with one lock and by regulating the length of the powder train, any car 
 of the passing train may be blown up. The accompanying tools are 
 simple and light. The idea of the inventor was, to send small parties 
 of men, 3 or 4 in each, with these torpedoes, into the hostile lines, 
 and by working at night, and lying hidden by day, to put down the 
 torpedoes and return. Each magazine is a load for a man. Another 
 man can carry the lock and another the tools. 
 
 The manner of laying these torpedoes is as follows : — 
 
 The spikes are first drawn from three consecutive ties, on one side 
 A hole is then dug, and the look placed as indicated in the drawing. The 
 rail is then sprung up, and iron wedges placed on the adjacent ties to 
 keep the rail from springing the lock by its own weight. When thus 
 secured, the lock is cocked and capped, and the box closed. The maga- 
 
 montli in consequence of a projected expedition to Fort Fisher. 
 
 Tlio exploding spparatns, devised for these torpedoes, is represented in Figs 8 9 10 4 
 11, Plate XXIV. It will bs noticed that any thing coming in contact with oithJr of tho 
 projecting arms and moving it up, down, sideways, or in the direction of its length 
 would have the efftct of liberating the spiral spring and thus explode the primers 
 
 The different parts of this apparatus which were to be exposed to the salt water were 
 made of different metals with a view to producing a slight galvanio action, which 'it was 
 supposed would be a sufficient protection against barnacles. 
 
 » (Plata XXV.) 
 
UNION' TOHPEDOES. 33 
 
 /.ine is then buried in the proper place, and the connection made. By 
 using a little care \n excavating and carrying off the superfluous earth 
 to some little distance, the existence of the torpedo would never be sus- 
 pected. The bottom of the arched rail should just touch the lever. Any 
 shock by the bending down the rail, pulls the trigger and explodes the 
 torpedo. 
 
 In our experiments, a torpedo of 18 pounds viras exploded by giving a 
 car sufficient impetus to run over it. The car was entirely destroyed, 
 and rails, ties, and fragments of the car were thrown in every direction. 
 One rail was projei^ted 40 feet. 
 
 These torpedoes can probably be used with success in some of the lar- 
 ger armies. Their greatest elBcicncy lies in destroying the locomotive, 
 which cannot be replaced, whereas a torn up track'can easily be relaid. 
 The magazines should be tarred before being used. 
 
 I am, General, 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obd't serv't. 
 CHAS. R. SUTRR, 
 1st. Lieut. U. S. Kngineers & Chief Kng'r. D. S. 
 
 Bridg'e Torpedo. 
 
 The following suggestions as to the most expeditious mode of Destroy- 
 ing Bridges, were made by Genl. Haupt, formerly Superintendent U. S. 
 Military Rail Roads ; 
 "A simple and expeditious mode of destroying Bridges, and rendering 
 Locomotive Engines useless to an enemy, is often a desideratum. Cav- 
 alry may penetrate far into an enemy's country, may reach Bridges form- 
 ing viaducts on important lines of communication, which it may be desi- 
 rable to break effectually ; or, ip retreat, the destruction of a Bridge may 
 be essential to the safety of an army, ^nd yet time may not be sufficient 
 to gather combustibles, or they may not be accessible, or the fire may 
 be extinguished, or the damage may be so slight as to be eatily repaired. 
 
 AVhat IS required is the means of certainly and effectually throwing 
 down a Bridge in a period of time, not exopeding five minutes,, and with 
 apparatus so simple and portable that it can be card-ied in the pocket or 
 in saddle bags. 
 
 These requirements are fulfilled by a Torpedo, (see Fig. 3 Plate XXX), 
 which consists simply "of a short bolt of seven-eighths inch iron, eight 
 inches long, with head and nut — the head to be two inches in diameter, 
 and about one inch thick ; ,^ washer, of same size as the head must be 
 placed under the nut at the other end, with a fuze-hole in it ; between 
 the washer and the head is a tin cylinder, one and three-quarters inches 
 in diameter, open at both ends, which is filled with powder, and, when 
 the washer and nut are put on, forms a case which encloses it. 
 
 In using this torpedo, a hole is bored in a timber, the torpedo (head 
 downwards) is driven in by a stone or billet of wood and the fuze igni- 
 ted ; the explosion blows the timber in pieces, and if a main support, 
 brings down the whole structure. 
 
 The time required is only that which is necessary to bore a hole with 
 an aucer. Ordinary cigar lighters, which burn without flame, and can- 
 
34 OTHER TORPEDOES. 
 
 not be blown out, are best for igniting the fuze, which should be about 
 two feet long.* 
 
 For portability, the auger should be short, (say thirteen inches,) and 
 and the handle movable and of same length. 
 
 The proper place at which to insert the torpedo is of much conse- 
 quence. Most of the Virginia Bridges are Howe trusses, without arches. 
 In this kind of Bridge, the destruction of the main braces at one end, 
 and on only one side of a span, will be sufficient to bring down the whole 
 structure. There are usually but two main braces in each panel, and 
 two torpedoes will suffice to throw down a span. Two men can bore the 
 two holes at the same time without interfering with each other. 
 
 Cartridges containing a fulminate would be more portable, but they 
 are not always conveniently procurable, and their use is attended with 
 risk of explosion. 
 
 It is only necessary to operate at one side and on one end of a bridge. 
 If one side falls, it pulls the other side down with it. 
 
 If the structure contains an arch, two additional torpedoes will be re- 
 quired ; but in this case it may be equally advantageous to operate on the 
 lower chord." ******* 
 
 OTHER TORPEDOES. 
 
 Fulton's Clockivork Torpedo. 
 
 The two following descriptions are extracted from "Fulton's Torpedo 
 War." 
 
 "Plate XVIII represents a clockwork Torpedo, as prepared for the 
 attack of a vessel while at anchor or under sail, by harpooning her m 
 the larboard and starboard bow. 
 
 (B) is a copper case to contain one hundred or more pounds of povi'der- 
 (0) a, cork cushion to give the whole torpedo such n, buoyancy, that it will 
 be only from two to three pounds heavier than salt water. 
 
 To ascertain such weight, when it is charged with jiowder, and the 
 lock screwed on, it is put into a large tub of sea water. 
 
 (C) is to have fifteen or twenty inch-holes bored in its sides and top, to 
 let the water rush in and the air out. otherwise, the air would prevent its 
 immediately sinking. 
 
 (A) is a cylindric brass box, about seven inches diameter, and two inch- 
 es deep, in which there is a gunlack, with a barrel two inches lono- to 
 receive a charge of powder and a wad, wliich charge is fired into'the 
 powder of the case (B). In the brass box (A) there is also a piece of clock- 
 work moved by a spring, which being wound up and set, will let the lock 
 strike fire in any number of minu;es, which mav be determined within 
 one hour. (K) is a small line fixed to a pin, which pin holds the clock- 
 work inactive; the instant the pin is withdrawn, the clockwork begins to 
 move, and the explosion will take plaee in one. two, three or any numbei- 
 of minutes for which it has been set : the whole is so made as to be 
 perfectly tight and keep out the water, althoniih under a pressure of 
 twenty-five or thirty perpendicular feet. 
 
 (D) is a pine box two I'eet lonj;. six or eight inches square, filled with 
 
 » This probably refore to ordinary safety-fuze, used in blasting. 
 
UTHElt TORPEDOES. 35 
 
 cork; it is ten or fifteen pounds lighter than water, and floats on tlae sur- 
 face; the lino from it to the Torpedo is the suspending line, which must 
 be of a length in proportion to the estimated drait of water of the vessel 
 to be attacked ; vessels of a certain number of guns usually draw within 
 a few feet of the same draft of water ; the suspending line should be from 
 four to eight feet longer than the greatest draft of the vessel, that it may 
 bend round the curve of her side, and lay the Torpedo near her keel. 
 
 From the Torpedo and the float (U), two lines, each twenty feet long, 
 are united at (E); from thence one line goes to the harpoon; the total 
 length of the line from the torpedo to the harpoon being about fifty feet, 
 according to the length of the vessel to be attacked, will, when the ship 
 is harpooned in the bow, bring the Torpedo under her bottom near mid- 
 ship. See the harpoon. It is a round piece of iron, half an inch dia- 
 meter, and two feet long, the butt one inch diameter, the exact calibre of 
 the harpoon gun : in the head of the harpoon there is an eye; the point 
 six inches long is barbed ; the lino of the Torpedo is spliced into the eye 
 of the harpoon; a small iron or tough copper link runs on the shaft of the 
 harpoon ; to the link, the Torpedo line is also tied, and at such a dis- 
 tance, that when the harpoon is in the gun, it will form a loop, as at H, 
 but when tired, the link will slide along to the butt of the harpoon, and, 
 holding the rope and harpoon parallel to each other, the rope will act 
 like a tail, or rod to a rocket, and guide it straight : without this precau- 
 tion, the butt of the harpoon would turn foremost, and make a very un- 
 certain shot. (F) is the harpoon gun, made strong, and to work on a swiv- 
 el, in a stanchion fixed in the stern-sheets of a boat. My experience with 
 this kind of harpoon and gun, is, that I have harpooned a target of six 
 feet square fifteen of twenty times, at the distance of from thirty to fifty 
 feet, never missing, and always driving the barbed point through three 
 inch boards up to the eye, which practice was so satisfactory, that I did 
 not consider it necessary to repeat it. 
 
 The object of 'harpooning a vessel on the larboard and starboard bow, 
 is, to fix one end of the Torpedo-line; then, if the ship be under sail, her 
 action through the water will draw the Torpedo under her ; if she be at 
 anchor, the tide will drive it under her, where, at the expiration of the 
 time for which the clockwork was set, the explosion will destroy her. 
 
 This being the kind of Torpedo and clockwork by which the Dorothea 
 in Walmer roads, and the brig in New York harbor were blown up. and 
 the harpoon having succeeded to fix the line to the target, these two ex- 
 periments shall be combined, and the mode of practice, with the pros- 
 pect of success and risk to the assailants, examined." 
 
 _"^ Fulton's CrUiilock Torpedo. 
 
 "Plats XIX represents the anchored Torpedo so arranged as to blow 
 up a vessel which should run against it : (B) is a copper case two feet 
 long, twelve inches diameter, capable oi containing one hundred pounds 
 of powder. (A) is a brass box, in which there is a lock similar to a com- 
 jrpon gun lock, with a barrel two inches long, to contain a musket charge 
 of powder : the box, with the lock cocked and barrel charged, is screw- 
 ed to the copper case (B). (H) is a lever which has a communication to the 
 lock inside of the box, and in its present state holds the lock cocked and 
 ready to fire. (C) is a deal box filled with cork, and tied to the case (B). 
 
36 OTHER TORPEDOES. 
 
 The object of the coi'k is to render the Torpedo about fifteen or twenty 
 pounds specifically lifihter than water, and give it a tendency to rWe to 
 the surface. It is held down to any given depth under water by a 
 weight of fifty or sixty pounds as at (F); there is also a small anchor (G), 
 to prevent a strong tide moving it from its position. With Torpedoes 
 prepared, and knowing the depth of water in all our bays and harbors, it 
 IS only necessary to fix the weight (F) at such a distance from the torpedo 
 as when thrown into the water, (F) will hold it ten, twelve, or fifteen feet 
 below the surface at low water; it will then be more or less below the 
 surface at high water, or at different times of the tide ; but it should ne- 
 ver be so deep as the usual draught of a frigate or ship of the line. 
 When anchored, it will, during the flood tide, stand in its present posi- 
 tion ; at slack water it will stand perpendicular to the weight F, as at (D); 
 during the ebb it will be at (E). At ten feet under water the waves, in 
 boisterous weather, would have little or no tendency to disturb the Tor- 
 pedo ; for that if the hollow of a wave should sink ten feet below what 
 would be the calm surface, the wave would run twenty feet high, which, I 
 believe, is never the case in any of our bays or harbors. All the experi- 
 ence which I have on this kind of Torpedo is, that in the month of Octo- 
 ber 1805, I had one of them anchored nine feet under water, in the 
 British Channel near Dover; the weather was severe, the waves ran high, 
 it kept its position for twenty-four hours, and when taken up, the jjovv- 
 der was dry and the lock in good order. The torpedo thus anchored, it 
 is obvious, that if a ship in sailing should strike the lever H, the explo- 
 sion would be instantaneous, and she be immediately destroyed ; hence, 
 to defend our bays or harbours, let a hundred, or more if necessary, of 
 these engines be anchored in the channel, as for example the Narrow.s, 
 to defend New York. 
 
 The figure to the right of the plate is an end view of the Torpedo ( H). 
 (H) shews its lever forked, to give a better chance of being struck. 
 
 Having described this instrument in a way which I hope will be un- 
 derstood, I may be permitted to put the following question to my read- 
 ers, which is, knowing that the explosion of one hundred pounds of 
 powder, or more if required, under the bottom of a ship of the line, 
 would destroy her, and seeing, that if a ship in sailing should strike the 
 lever of an anchored torpedo, he would be blown up, would he have the 
 courage, or, shall I say, temerity, to sail into a channel where one or 
 more hundred of such engines were anchored ? I rely on each gentle- 
 man's sense of prudence and self-preservation, to answer this question 
 to my satisfaction. Should the apprehension of danger become as strono- 
 on the minds of those who investigate this subject as it is on mine, we 
 may reasonably conclude that the same regard to self-preservation, will 
 make an enemy cautious in approaching waters where such engines are 
 placed; for, however brave sailors maybe, there is no danger so distres- 
 sing to the mind of a seaman, or so calculated to destroy lus confidence, 
 as that which is invisible and instantaneous destruction. 
 
 The consideration that will now present itself, is that the enemv 
 might send out boats to sweep for and destroy the Torpedoi's. It is there- 
 fore proper to examine the nature .if such an operation, and us chance 
 of success. Suppose two hundred Torpedoes to be placed in three miles 
 of channel, the enemy's boats, in attempting to sweep for them, would 
 be exposed to the fire of our lanil butteries, or necessitated to fight our 
 boats, for whenever they leave their ships and take to l)oats, we can bi- 
 as well armed and active at boat fighting as they ; and thus opposed by 
 
OTHKi! TOKl'KDOES. 37 
 
 batteries and boats, they would have three or more square miles of chan- 
 nel to sweep, which, even if successful, would be a 'work of time, and 
 were they to get up some of the Torpedoes, they could not ascertain if 
 all were destroyed, for they could not know whether five or five hundred 
 had been put down : nor could they prevent our boats throwing in addi- 
 tional numbers each day and night. It therefore amounts to an impossi- 
 bility for an enemy to clear a channel of Torpedoes, provided it were 
 reasonably guarded by land batteries and row boats. Added to the op- 
 position which might be made to the enemy, there is a great difficulty in 
 clearing a channel of Torpedoes with any kind of sweep or drag, so as 
 to establish full confidence in sailing through it. It is only they 
 who put them down and know the number, that could tel) vrhen all were 
 taken up. To facilitate the taking them up, I have since Piate XXIX was 
 engraved, thought of a vei-y useful and simple piece of mechanism, which 
 being screwed to the box (C J, will hold the Torpedo under water at any 
 given depth, and for any number of days. They may be set to stay un- 
 der water a day, week, month, or year, and on the day which shall be 
 previously determined, they will rise to the surface; at the same in- 
 stant each will lock its lever H so that it cannot strike fire, and the Tor- 
 pedo may be handled with perfect safety. Not having time to engi-ave 
 this improvement, it shall be exhibited to Congress in a working model, 
 by which it will also be better understood. 
 
 I will now suppose the enemy to be approaching a port ; a signal an- 
 nounces them ; our boats run out and throw into the channel two hun- 
 dred Torpedoes, set each to fifteen days. Should the enemy* sail among 
 them, the consequence will teach future caution ; should they cruise or 
 anchor at a distance, what could they do? They not knowing the num- 
 ' ber of torpedoes which were put down, nor the day on which -they were to 
 rise to the surface, could not have their boats out exposed to our fire, and 
 waiting from day to day for a time uncertain. Whereas, our officers, know- 
 ing the number which were put down, and the day they were to rise to 
 the surface, would have their boats ready to take them in, and at the 
 same time replace them With others set for ten, fifteen, twenty, or more 
 days. Viewing this subject in all its bearings, the impression on my 
 mind is, that it would jbe impossible for an enemy to enter a port where 
 anchored Torpedoes were thus used, without their incurring danger of 
 such a kind, that courage could not guard them from its consequences. 
 Prudence and justice would warrant their abandoning such an enter- 
 prise ; and the probability is, that knowing us to be thus prepared, they 
 never would attempt it, or should they, and only one vessel were to be 
 destroyed, wo might calculate on its good effect to protect us from future 
 hostile enterprises.-' 
 
 .Vacobi Mines. * 
 
 ''Around and about the Island of Cronstadt and the anchorages that the 
 Allied fleet would probably occupy, as well as the channels of approach 
 and anchorages abreast of the castles defending these channels, numerous 
 submerged mines, or, as Fulton called them, 'Torpedoes,' were placed, to 
 explode by the contact of any vessel running against them. Their pe- 
 
 * For a full account of these and similar appliances used in European armies, sec Ma] . 
 Delafleld's Report on the Art of War in Europe, whence the following descriptions are 
 extracted. 
 
38 OTHER TORPEDOES. 
 
 culiar arrangement was entirely new, and, as I believe, the conception 
 and idea of Prof". Jacobi, an eminent Kussian chemist and philosopher. 
 At Se).astopoI, when examining the Mast Bastion, while the French 
 troops were excavating in the ditch, at the foot of the palisades under 
 the.salient angle, for these very mines, one of them exploded, killing 
 and wounding several men. Very many were placed throughout the de- 
 fences, all so arranged that, by stepping upon them, explosion was in- 
 stantaneous." 
 
 "They consisted of a box of powder of eight inches cube, (Fig. 4, Plate 
 XXX), contained within another box, leaving a space of two inches be- 
 tween them, filled with pitch, rendering the powder in the inner box se- 
 cure from wet and. moisture, when buried under ground. The top of 
 the exterior box was placed about eight inches below the surface, and up- 
 on it reste 1 a piece of board of six inches wide, twelve inches long, and 
 one inch thick, resting on four legs of thin sheet iron, (0), apparently 
 pieces of old hoops, about four inches long. The top of this piece of 
 board was near the surface of the earth, and covered slightly, so as not 
 to be perceived. On any slight pressure upon the board, such as a man 
 treading upon it, the thin iron supports yielded, when the board came 
 in, contact with a glass tube (N) containing sulphuric acid, breaking it 
 and liberating the acid, which diffused itself within the box, coming in 
 contact with a mixture of chlorate of potassa and sugar, causing instant 
 combustion and the explosion of the powder.V 
 
 ******* * 
 
 "Another arrangoiuoiit found at Sebastopol, wap, by placing the acid 
 within a glass tube of the form and dimensions shown in Fig. 5, Plate 
 30. This glass was plactd in a tin tube, as shown. in the figure, whish 
 rested upon the powder box on its two supports (a, 6,) at the ends. The 
 tin tube opens downwards into the powder box, with a branch ft) 
 somewhat longer than the supports, (o, /;). This asm the t^ase of the prece- 
 ding arrangement, was buried in the ground, leaving the tin tube so near 
 the surfiice that a man's foot, or other disturbing cause, bendinir it 
 would bieak the glass within, liberating the acid, which escaping, 
 through the opening into a box, came in contact with the potassa, or 
 whatever may have been the priming, and its combustion instantly ex- 
 ploded the powder in the box. What I call a tin tube, I incline to be- 
 lieve, was some more ductile metal, that would bend without breakinu- " 
 * * * * * * * ii. ^"^ 
 
 Chinese Infernal Mactaines. 
 
 The following notes by Lieut. Thaine, K. E., were published among 
 
 the Professional Papers of the Royal Engineers, in 1860: 
 
 "Three descriptions of infernal machines were found in Canton 
 The first consisted of a large cylindrical wooden tub, lined with tin so 
 as to be water tight; its dimensions were; diameter, 3 feet 8 inches 
 depth, 1 foot 10 inches. At about 3 inches from the top there was pla- 
 ced a board divided by small pieces of lath in such a manner as to allow 
 a great length of match to be laid on it ; one end of this match passed 
 through a hole m the board into the lower part of the tub, where the 
 charge was placed, and the other end communicated with a small lantern- 
 
OTHEU TORPEDOES. 39 
 
 shaped -water- tight wooden box, fastened to the side of the tub. The top 
 of this box consisted of a cone of tolerably stiff painted canvass, suffici- 
 ently flexible, however, to bo easily pressed down ; a small iron rod, 
 about throe-quarters the lenu-th of thebox, was fastened to the apex of 
 the cone, and, on its beinff pressed down, dipped into an earthen-ware 
 jar, placed at the bottom of the box. 
 
 The following seems to be the most probable way in which this ma- 
 chine was fired. The end of the match which communicated with the box 
 was allowed to dip into the jar, which was partly filled with chlorate of 
 potash, and also contained a glass tube filled with sulphuric acid. (Any 
 other substances acting on each other in a similar manner to the two 
 mentioned above would do instead.) 
 
 Then on the iron rod being pressed down, it would break the tube, the 
 acid would come into contact with the chlorate of potash, and the match 
 would bo ignited : or possibly, the jar might be filled with sulphuric acid, 
 and the chlorate of potash be contained in a bag, fastened to the end of 
 the iron rod, and into this the match would pass. 
 
 Nothing was found which exactly indicated the -way adopted. From 
 the great length of match, however, it seems likely that the machine was 
 meant to be used as a sort of ttre-raft to be brought to within a certain dis- 
 tance of shipping, then ignited, and allowed to float down with the tide 
 amongst them, or else to be fastened quietly to the side of a ship, the 
 match giving enough time for the men who brought it to escape. 
 
 The second machine was a strong wooden box in the shape of a frus- 
 trum of a cone, and of the following dimensions : 
 
 lleisht 2 feet 6 inches 
 
 Upper diameter 1 " 5 " 
 
 Lo.wer ditto 2 " " 
 
 It was divided horizontally into three compartments ; in the upper the 
 apparatus for firing was placed, the second contained the powder, the 
 third w IS filled with iron. 
 
 The apparatus for firing consisted of the lock of an old musket com- 
 municating with the charge below by means of a brass tube filled with 
 powder, and connected with clockwork, which regulated the time at 
 which the charge was fired. This was contrived in the following 
 i^ay : — the lock was slightly altered, so that the hammer would descend 
 on a trigger being pressed up ; this trigger was provided with a spring 
 pressing it up, but was kept down by a lever catching on a stud ; the 
 long end of the lever, which was on the other side of the lock plate, was 
 immediately under a weight working on a pivot, and supported by a 
 spring; the end of this spring was connected, by means of a short piece 
 of twisted wire, with a small tongue of metal working on a pivot on the 
 clock case. On the great wheel of the clock there was a stud, which on 
 its arrival at a certain point, caught in the tongue of metal, and as the 
 wheel turned, tightened the wire ; the spring supporting the weight was 
 thus pressed in, and the weight descended on the long end of the lever, 
 diseno'aging the. trigger; the hammer then descended and the charge was 
 fired." The time required for a complete revolution of the wheel was four 
 hours, and the stud could be adjusted so as to secure the ignition of the 
 charge after the lapse of any particular time less than that period. 
 
 These machines were furnished with rings and staples, and a great 
 number of buoys were found with them. Probably they were meant tc 
 be sunk near a place where ships were anchored." 
 
40 OTHER T0RPED0J5S. 
 
 "The third machine consisted of a strong, wooden, water-tight box 
 shaped something like a boat. Its dimensions were ; — 
 
 Exti-eme length 4 feet inches 
 
 Shortest length 2 " 4 '' 
 
 Greatest breadth 1 '' 7 " "■ 
 
 Depth 1 " 10 " 
 
 It was divided vertically into three parts : the apparatus for firing was 
 placed in the centre, and the powder in the two end compartments. The 
 apparatus for firing consisted of three hammers and three nipples, fast- 
 ened to a thick plate, which was firmly screwed down to the bottom of 
 the box ; each hammer was provided with a strong spring pressing it on 
 the nipple, so that, to keep 'them cooked, their ends were caught on the 
 edge of a thick brass plate, which made an angle of about 40° with the 
 bottom of the box, and worked on hinges in such a manner as to allow of 
 its being raised, but not lowered, beyond that point; a small projecting 
 bar of the same metal was fixed to the end of this plate. A species of 
 cylindrical bellows was also, fastened to the bottom of the box : its top 
 was supplied with two rings of metal working on two vertical iron rods 
 and a brass tube passed from the bottom of the bellows to the lid of the 
 box. A stout bar of wood of nearly^ the same length as the compartment, 
 was at one end connected by means of thipk twisted wire with the pro- 
 jecting bar of metal mentioned above ; and at the other was screwed on 
 to the top of the bellows. On the bellows being inflated the wooden bar 
 was raised, and lifted up the metal bar and plate: but when the plate 
 had been raised to a certain height, the hammers slipped ofi' its fdge. 
 descended on the nipples, and fired the charge. 
 
 In some of the machines found, flints or matchlocks were used, but 
 in either case',' the method of firing did not diff'er materially ft-om that 
 jnsi; described. It seems a little doubtful how the bellows were to be in- 
 flated. Probably they were filled to a certain extent with water (so as 
 not to raise the plate,, however) and then moored in the position they 
 were meant to occupy ; then, on a vessel coming in collision with one of 
 these machines, it would force it under water, and the pressure of the wa- 
 ter atthetimeof the ship's passage over the spot would be sufiicient to de- 
 termine an explosion before she was out of danger The boxes are vei-y 
 strong, bound with iron, and furnished with four rings. 
 
 The whole of the infernal machines were in very bad order, and utter- 
 ly unfit for use when first found, and it required a great deal of time to 
 get them into any thing like working order.'' 
 
 ObNl ruction Torpedo. 
 
 Fig. 6 PI. XXX represents a section of a torpedo used among the ob- 
 structions in Savannah River, Ga, 
 
 It was forwarded to the Department by Bvt. Brig. Gen. 0. M. Foe, 
 Capt. of Eng'rs, May 1 1th 1866. 
 
41 
 
 FUZES FOR TORPFDOCS. 
 
 Fuzes for Static Flectricity. 
 
 Abel's Magnet Fuze. 
 
 This fuze, shown in Fjgs. 3, 4, &5, Plate XXVI, is doubtless the same 
 as that desci-ibed on page 14. The fuze described by Gen. Comstock 
 (pai^e 2) is perhaps a slight modification of the same. 
 ^ It has given the moat satisfactory results in experiments both in 
 France and England and, all things considered, is perhaps as reliable as 
 any that has yet been tried. 
 
 Statliam's Fuze. 
 
 The characteristic property of this fuze consists in the employment of 
 a seaoiidary conductor*, to aid in the production of the electric spark. 
 
 A short tube of vulcanized rubber {a, b, Fig. 10, Plate XXVII) is 
 coated inside with sub-sulphide of copper. Into this tube the ends of 
 two insulated copper wires are inserted , leaving a space of about two 
 handreths of an inch between them, which space is filled by inserting a 
 sniall quantity of fulminate of mercury and dusting it with mealed pow- 
 dfer. The wires are then twisted together, and a small cartridge of gun- 
 cotton or rifle powder is formed around the. fuze, as shown in Fig. 12. 
 The covering of this cartridge is gutta-percha, or some other water-proof 
 and insulating material. 
 
 A full account of the fabrication of a fuze in every way similar to this 
 will be found in .Maj. Delafield's Report on the Art of War in Europe.- 
 
 Russian Fuze.f 
 
 ' This fuze, which was employed in the defence of Sebastopol, consist- 
 ed of two cylinders of charcoal bevelled at one end and placed in the 
 same line on the bottom of a small box in such a manner that the bevel- 
 led edgas tihoald be about two hundreths of an inch apart and perpendi- 
 
 * The term "Secondary Conductor" has been applied to certain substances which pos- 
 sess a degree of conductibility favorable to the production of the electric spark. This 
 property was discovered several years ago in the course of some experiments on firing 
 cannon by electricity. The gun was placed at Dover, and the battery at Calais, the cir- 
 cuit being formed by a copper wire insulated by vulcanized rubber. On the first attempt 
 the ^experiment succeeded but it could not afterwards be repeated, g^nd an investigation 
 showed that the first suocjss was.owing to a coating-of sub-sulphide of copper which had 
 been deposited on the vulcanized rubber by the copper wire. 
 
 fiarified air, filings or thin scales of metals, slightly damp powder, pulverized charcoal 
 or plumbago, and gas of slight density are SBGONDABr cowDUoTOns. [No. 17 Me'morial 
 derOflicier du Ge'nie,] 
 
 t Tlio substance of this description and the two succeeding ones are taken Irom No. 17 
 Me'morial del'Offlcicr du Go'nio. 
 
42 FUZES FOR TORPEDOES. 
 
 oular to each other. The arrangement is shown in Fig. II Plate XXVI, 
 (a a') and (6 b') being strips of copper, (a 6) the conducting wires 
 and (a d) set screws by means of which the charcoal cylinders are held in 
 position and their edges brought to the proper position in relation to each 
 other. In order to make the insulation more perfect a sheet of rubber 
 is placed on the bottom of the box and under the copper strips before 
 mentioned. The box is filled with powder. 
 
 Capt. Guyot has made some experiments with this fuze, and found 
 that its sensibility increases with the lightness of the charcoal, and also 
 with the addition, to the charcoal cylinders, of some inflammable and 
 conducting coating as sulphide of antimony. 
 
 Capt. Guyot also proposed a modification of this fuze, which has the 
 advantages of being very simple and of securing most perfect insulation. 
 It consists in employing a glass tube, instead of the wooden box, the 
 ends of this tube receiving cork stopples which contain the charcoal oy- 
 . linders and the ends of the conducting wire, as shown in Fii:;. 13, Plate 
 XXVI. The cylinder is then tilled with musket powder, throuj>;h a small 
 opening for that purpose, and a small cartridge of powder formed out- 
 side of, and around the whole 
 
 This fuze is more advantageous than those of Capt. Savarc and L.t. 
 M6reau, on account of its being more simple of construction, certain in 
 its efifects, and of its not requiring the use of fulminates or other deto- 
 nating composition ; but it is less convenient and sensitive than AbePs 
 or Statham's. 
 
 Capt. Savare's Fuze. 
 
 The object to be gained in the construction of this fuze was to prpyent 
 the ends of the opnducting wires from coming in contact with the ground 
 Or water at the time of explosion, and thus completing the circuit, and 
 preventing the current from igniting other fuzes at the same, or sensibly, 
 the same instant*. 
 
 The fuze was composed of two pointed wires of an amaliram of Dacet 
 metal; insulated, as shown in Fig. 7, Plate XXVI. and placed in close 
 proximitjr to each other. This amalgam is very fuzible aud burns out 
 from the insulating envelope, leaving the latter to project some distance 
 beyond the end of the conducting' wire and prevent it from coming in 
 contact with the ground. The points wore surrounded with gun cotton 
 and black sulphide of mercury or bisulphide of tin. ' 
 
 The effect, of this fuze was not certain; probably from the imperfect 
 contact between the ends of the conductor and the gun-cotton, or f om 
 the diminution of the explosive properties of the litter resulting from 
 the dust of the powder with which it Avas impregnated. '^ 
 
 Lt. M6reau sought to increase the olliciency of this fuze by replacing 
 the gun-cotton with other detonating substances having feeble conductina; 
 powers. It was necessary that this substance should be so sensitive that 
 the passage of the current should ignite it, and at the same time it 
 should otier less resistance to the current than was offered by the air 
 
 Of the substances tried it was found that those havint' a metalJoid base 
 as chlorate of potassa, were poorer conductors than those with mjtallic 
 bases, as sulphide of antimony, and fulminates of mercury and of silver 
 lie obtained very good results with sulphide of antimony, and still 
 
 • (See Fig. 6, Plate XXVII and its eiplanationO ' 
 
PUZES FOR TOKPEDOES. 43 
 
 better with the fulminates. He preferred the fulminate of mercury to 
 that of hilver on account of its being less expensive. 
 
 la the construction of his fuze, Lt. M6reau employed a rectangular 
 wooden box, formed by cutting a mortice in a small block and fitting 
 a cover to the same as shown in Figs. 10 & 12, PI. XXVI. 
 
 The conducting wires were securely fixed to the box, as shown by the 
 figure, their ends being sharpened, and placed ' about two hundreths of 
 an inch froiii each other. In order to secure the wires in position, sul- 
 phei- was poured into the box leaving only a cylindrical opening about 
 one eighth of an inch in diameter around the points of the wires. The 
 fulminate, , well dried, was then introduced, and a small plug of fulmi- 
 nate moistened with gum water placed over it, after which the hole 
 was filled with gun cotton, and the rest of the box with powder. 
 
 Liieut. Merean's Fuze. 
 
 The object of this fuze was the same as that of the one just described. 
 It consists of a piece of signal rocket ease (a b), Fig. 8, Plate XXVI, 
 eiosed at on": end by a tompion of clay, through the axis of which the 
 conductin;.; wire (c) passes and is soldered to a thin copper disc {d d). Sul- 
 pher is then poured into the space between the conducting wire and tompi- 
 on to keep the wire in position. A cork was placed in the other end of the 
 casQ and the conducting wire adjusted as shown in the drawing, the 
 small space at [m), where a slight break wai left in the oircuit,being filled 
 with some detonating composition, and the bend [p) of the short wire 
 coming in contact with the disc (d d). (The space {g i) was also filled 
 with powder, the^ explosion of which separated the wire (p) from the 
 disc {(Id) ) and thus ruptured the circuit. 
 
 As this arrangement failed to produce the desired result, it was modi- 
 fied by interposing a small piece of wood (6 d) Fig. 9, containing a short 
 piece of wire which made an additional joint in the circuit; but this also 
 failed to give satisfactory results. 
 
 Austrian Fuze. 
 
 This fuze, which was the invention of Lt. Col. Scholl of the Austrian 
 ■Engineers, has given very satisfactory results; and will be sufficiently 
 understood from the drawings, Figs. 13, & 14, Plate XXVII, without 
 further explanation. 
 
 An account of its construction and use will be found in Maj . Dcla- 
 fieid's Report already referred to. 
 
 Beardslee's Fuze. 
 
 A description of this fuze will be found in the Keport of experiments 
 at West. Point hereinafter given. It will be seen from the note- at the 
 bottom of page 41 that the property of secondary conductors, upon 
 which this fuze depeiids, was discovered several years ago and before the 
 fuze. in question was invented. 
 
44 FUZES rOK TORPEDOES. 
 
 Fuzes lor nynamlc Electricity. 
 
 The principle on which all fuzes for Dynamic or Voltaic Electricity 
 are constructed is simply to insert a short piece of line platinum wire in 
 the circuit, at the desii-ed point, and surround it with some combustible 
 material, which will be ignited by the incandescence of the wire conse- 
 quent upon the resistance offered to the passage of the current. 
 
 Figs. 4 & 5 PL XXVII represent one form of this fuze as adapted 
 to the explosion of submarine charges, and Fig. 1 (same Plate) shows 
 the manner in which it is inserted in the case containing the charge. 
 
 Fig. 7 shows the arrangement as adapted to tiring ordinary mines. 
 
 In either case the most important points to be considered are : 
 1st. The length and diameter of the platinum wire, and 
 2nd. The nature of the composition with which it is surrounded ; 
 
 In regard to the first, it has been found*' that a wire four thous- 
 andths of an inch in diameter and four tenths of an inch in length 
 gives the best results. 
 
 In regard tu the second, it was found that with the bare wire of the 
 dimensions just given, a single element of Bun sen's battery would ig- 
 nite mealed powder through about 155 yardsf of No. 31 copper wire. 
 
 When the wire was covered with a mixture of collodion and mealed 
 powder this distance was increased to about 230 yards. 
 
 By adding a little dry chlorate of potassa it was still further in- 
 creased to 242 yards. 
 
 As the chlorate of potassa decrepitates in burning, it will doubtless 
 send sparks in all directions and thus insure the ignition of the pow- 
 der. 
 
 When the mealed powder was replaced by fulminate of mercury, the 
 length of circuit through which it could be ignited became 2S.> yards. 
 
 In obtaining these results all parts of the fuzes were thoroughly dried. 
 
 Gun cotton, and match paste were also tested. 
 
 In order to obtain the most explosive gun-cotton, the wadding is im- 
 mersed for two or three minutes in a mixture of three parts nitric to 
 live parts of sulphuric acid, after which it is thoroughly washed with 
 water and then dried. 
 
 As the gun-cotton is soluble in collodion and thus loses its explosive 
 property, the fuze is prepared as follows : — The platinum wire is first 
 coated w^ith collodion. Before this is thoroughly dried the fibres ol 
 gun-cotton are wound 'around it, their ends being fixed to the cop- 
 per wires by a paste of collodion, mealed powder and chlorate of po- 
 tassa; These fibres are easily ignited tty the electric current and the 
 flame thus communicated to the paste and mealed powder. 
 
 The length of wire through which these fuzes could be ignited was 
 about 350 yards. 
 
 A match paste was prepared by dissolving gelatin arid powdered 
 gum in water and heating- the solution to about 50°,** and then intro- 
 ducing small pieces of phosphorus. The latter, which would fuze at 
 40°tt by itself, mixes with the mucilage. It is net'cssary to stir the 
 mixture during the operation, or the phosphorus will bo ignited bv 
 contact with the air. 
 
 * No. 17 Me'morlal di* I'officier du Go'liie. 
 
 t This dietancG is assumed as the standard of measure in testing and compariiig the 
 
 sensibility of different fuzes, 
 
 ♦* 1220 yarunlioit. 
 tt 104° "' ' 
 
I'UZES FOR TOfiPJiDOES. 40 
 
 A small pieeo of the paste thus obtained is plaeed around the mid- 
 dle of the platinum wive and covered with collodion to preserve it from 
 moistuTe. 
 
 Another method of constructing these fuzes, which avoids the incon- 
 venience of mixing the paste, consists in cutting a groove in the head of 
 an ordinary match and placing the latter so that the platinum wire shall 
 pass through this groove, as shown in Fig. 7, Plate XXVII. The plati- 
 num wire and head of the match are then coated with collodion. 
 
 The length of circuit through which this fuze can he ignited is about 
 395 yards. 
 
 Continuity of Circuit. 
 
 In order to test the continuity of the circuit and to detect any breaks 
 which may have been caused by tamping, or by the explosion of adja- 
 cent charges, a piece of iron or copper wire, two or three yards long, and 
 frora eight to twelve thousandths of an inch in diaineter, should be pla- 
 ced in the circuit and the wires connected with the poles of a feeble bat- 
 tery. The current will not be strong enough to ignite the fuze, but will 
 affect a galvanometer if the circuit is not broken. 
 
 Simultaneous Explosions. 
 
 In arranging the circuit for simultaneous explosions three general 
 
 plans have been adopted ; 
 
 1st. By placing. all the charges in the same circuit, as shown in Figs, 
 2 & 3, Plate XXVIT. This requires the current to be of sufficient in- 
 tensity to ignite them all at absolutely the same instant : otherwise 
 the explosion of one fuze will break the circuit and prevent the igni- 
 tion of the rest. 
 
 2nd. By connecting the wires, as shown in Fig. 6, so as to form an 
 independent circuit for each charge and at the same time having a por- 
 tion of all the circuits in common. The current will then ignite the 
 fuze corresponding to the circuit which offers the least resistance, 
 break that circuit, and pass to the next in order of resistance, and so 
 on until all have been ignited. 
 
 This is called the method of "derived circuits", and is in reality 
 a successive rather than a simultaneous operation, but in practice the 
 length of time from the first to the last explosion of a small number 
 of charges is inappreciable. It will be noticed that if the connection 
 is not broken by any one of the explosions, the remaining charges can- 
 not be exploded, since the current will continue to follow the circuit 
 which offers the slighest resistance.' 
 
 3d. By forming an independent circuit for each charge and bringing 
 the ends of the wires near one pole of the battery (as shown by Fig. 8 
 Plate XXVIl) so that the circuit may be completed by drawing a 
 wire attached to the pole of the battery across the parallel ends of 
 the wires. This is also u, successive operation, and was devised by M. 
 du Monoel.* 
 
 * No. 17, Me'raorial do Tofficior du (Je'niR. 
 
46 FUZES FOB TORPEDOES. 
 
 Capt. Guyot proposed a modifloation of this arrangement by which he 
 substituted a Key-board, Fig. 9, for the frame containing the wires. 
 One pole of the battery being connected with the copper gtrip (C), and 
 the other pole connected directly with the fuzes (by a single wire, as in 
 Fig. 8), the circuit is completed, through any charge, by touching the 
 key corresponding with the number of the charge, and with which the 
 fuze is connected. 
 
 The keys may be pressed down in such rapid succession as to deter- 
 mine the explosion of several charges in so short an interval of time as 
 to be practically simultaneous. 
 
 These methods are all applicable to cases where either static or dyna- 
 mic electricity is employed. 
 
47 
 KXPCRIMEHTTS WITH TORPEDOES. 
 
 Fulton's Experiments. 
 
 "To convince .Mr. Pitt and lord Melville that a vessel could be destroy- 
 ed by the explosion of a Torpedo under her bottom, a strong built Uar 
 nish brig, the Dorothea, burthen 200' tons, was anchored in Walmer 
 road, near Deal, and vrithin a mile of Walmer Castle, the then resi- 
 dence of Mr. Pitt. Two boats, eaeh with eight men, commanded by 
 lieutenant Eobinson, were put under my direction. I prepared two 
 empty Torpedoes in such a manner, that each was only from two to 
 three pounds specifically heavier than salt water ; and I so suspended 
 them, that they hung fifteen feet under water. They were then tied one 
 to each end of a small rope eighty feet long : thus arranged, the brig 
 drawing twelve feet of water. The 14th day of October was spent in 
 practice. Each boat having a Torpedo in the stern, they started from 
 the shore about a mile above the brig, and rowed down towards her ; the 
 uniting line of the torpedoes being stretched to its full extent, the two 
 boats were distant from each other seventy feet ; thus they approached in 
 such a manner, that one boat kept the larboard, the other the starboard 
 side of the brig in view. So soon as the connecting line of the Torpe- 
 does passed the buoy of the brig, they were thrown into the water, and 
 carried on by the tide, until the connecting line touched the brig's cable; 
 the tide then drove them under her bottom. The experiment being re- 
 peated several times, taught the men how to act, and proved to my satis- 
 faction that, when properly placed on the tide, the Torpedoes would in- 
 variably go under the bottom of the vessel. I then filled one of the 
 Torpedoes with one hundred and eighty pounds of powder, and set 
 its clockwork to eighteen minutes. Every thing being ready, the experi- 
 ment was announced for the next day, the 15th, at five o'clock in the af- 
 ternoon." *«*****» 
 
 "At forty minutes past four, the boats rowed towards the brig, and 
 the Torpedoes were thrown into the water ; the tide carried them, 
 as before described, under the bottom of the brig, where at the expira- 
 tion of eighteen minutes, the explosion appeared to raise her bodily 
 about six feet ; she separated in the middle, and the two ends went down; 
 in twenty seconds, nothing was to be seen of her except floating frag- 
 ments ; the pumps and foremast were blown out of her , the foretopsail 
 yard was thrown up to the cross trees ; the fore-chain plates, with their 
 bolts, were tOxn from her sides ; the mizzen-chain plates and shrouds, 
 being stronger than those of the foremast, or the shock being more for- 
 ward than aft, the mizzenmast was broke off in two places ; these discov- 
 eries jwere made by means of the pieces which were found afloat. 
 
 .The experiment was of the most satisfactory kind, for it proved a 
 fact much debated and denied, that the explosion of a sufiicient quantity 
 
 of powder under the bottom of a vessel would destroy her*. " 
 
 ### * # ** #* 
 
 ^ "Twenty minutes before the Dorothea was blown up,Capt. Kingston asserted, that if a 
 torpedo were placed under his cabin while he was at dinner, he should feel no' concern for 
 the consequence. Occular demonstration is the beat proof for all men." 
 
 ("Torpedo War.") 
 
-4s EXPERIMENTS WITH TORPEDOED. 
 
 "This fortunate experiment left not the least doubt on my mind that the 
 one which I made in the harboi- of New York in Augvist 1807, would be 
 equally successful. The brig was anchored, the Torpedoes prepared and 
 put into the water in the manner before described : the tide drov6 them 
 under the brig near her keel, but in consequence of the locks turning 
 downwards, the powder fell out of the pans and they both missed fire. 
 This discovery of an error in the manner of fixing the locks to a torpe- 
 do, has been corrected. On the second attempt, the , torpedo missed the 
 brig ; the explosion took place about one hundred yards from her, and 
 threw up a column of water ten feet diameter sixty or seventy feet high. 
 On the third attempt she was blown up : the effect and result much the 
 same as that of the Dorothea, before described. About two thousand 
 persons were witnesses to this experiment. Thus, in the course of my 
 essays, two brigs, each of two hundred tons, have been blown up. 
 The practicability of destroying vessels by this means, has been fulJy 
 proved. It is also proved that the mechanism will ignite powder at any 
 required depth under wafer, within a given time. It now remains to 
 point out means by which Torpedoes may be used to advantage with the 
 least possible risque to the assailants." 
 
 (Pulicm's "Tor2)edo Wm-:') 
 
 €ol. Colt's Experiments. 
 
 In the. year 1842 Congress appropriated the sum of ijl7,000 to deii-ay 
 the expenses of a series of experiments to be made by the late Col. 
 Samuel Colt with a submarine battery invented, or claimed to have 
 been invented,- by him j^ the results of "these experiments to be reported 
 by. such officers as the Secretary of the Navy might designate for that 
 purpose. 
 
 No oiBcial informa,tion in regard to the results of these experiments 
 can be obtained, and it does not appear that any officer or boiird of offi- 
 cers was present to superintend them ; but from a resolution of inquiry 
 passed by Congress in April 1844, and the replies thereto by the Secre- 
 taries of War and of the Navy, it is apparent that Mr. Colt's invention, 
 as well as the results of the experiments (beyond the expenditure of S17- 
 400,) was a secret to both of those Departments. 
 
 A gentleman, who witnessed these experiments, states that two ves- 
 sels, a small schooner and a, brig, were destroyed, near the Washington 
 Arsenal. The schooner was anchored over a torpedo, the operator, who 
 determined the explosion being at or near Alexandria^ about six miles 
 distant, and the signal being communicated to him livthe flash of a gun. 
 The brig was sa.il«d up the Eastern Branch in the channel of whicli 
 numerous torpedoes ha.d been placed. Two or throe of them were explo- 
 ded without effect and thevessel sailed along unharmed until one was 
 exploded under or very nearly undd'r her bow. Tlie explosion lifted her 
 forward part a foot or two into the .air and so damaiicd her that she sunk 
 in a very few minutes. 
 
 It is supposed that this" b.attery" oonsisli-d in ii oluirge of common cun- 
 powder ignited by electricily. 
 
SXPERIMBNTa WITH; TORPEDOES. 49 
 
 Major Uunt'ii Experiments. 
 
 Maj. E. B. Hunt, late of the Corps of Engineers, was In the month 
 of April 1862, ordered to report to the Navy Departmeht for the purpose 
 of superintending the construction and testing of a submariine gun, or 
 batteiy which he had invented. 
 
 The tragical death to which these experiments brought the inventojr 
 has precluded the possibility of an official report of the exact results at- 
 tained, or of all the means adopted to produce them. Mr. W. Pi Trpw; 
 bridge, formerly in charge of the Engineer Agency, who was intimately 
 acquainted with Maj. Hunt, and who witnessed some of the experiments, 
 has kindly furnished some interesting facts relative to the apparatus and 
 the unfortunate accident which resulted in the death of Maj. Hunt. 
 
 The apparatus consisted of a torpedo, or shell, which was propelled 
 through the water, by a rocket, the initial direction being given to it by 
 a breech-loading, rifled gun. This gun was attached to the side of a 
 floating vessel or caisson at some distance below the surface of the' water; 
 and in order to facilitate loading without admitting water, it was provi- 
 ded with a water-tight tompion, which could be removed, when' the 
 rocket was to be fired. 
 
 The manner of operating this battery was as follows : — The muzzle of 
 the gun being closed by the tompion, as j ust mentioned, the breech plug 
 was unscrewed, and the shell inserted. The breech was then closed and 
 the muzzle opened, the direction given and the rocket fired. 
 
 It was from the neglect to open the muzzle before litring that the acci- 
 dent alluded to resulted. Seeing that this had been neglected Maj. 
 Hunt descended by means of a ladder into the caisson and unscrewed 
 the breech of the gun, while the rocket was still burning ; thus allow- 
 ing the gas to escape into the, caisson. He then tried to ascend the lad- 
 der, but on reaching the tpp round, fell back from the sufibcating effects 
 of the gas. An assistant attempted to rescue him, but was himself over- 
 come, and fell to the bottom of the caisson. Another, and still another, 
 made the attempt, but without success, until finally by means of a rope, 
 he was drawn out, but too late to be revived. 
 
 During those experiments it was ascertained that rockets could be 
 projected in this manner for several hundred feet, but they required to be 
 fired at considerable depressions to prevent them -from coming out the top 
 of the water, as they were naturally deflected towards the line of least 
 resistance. 
 
 Capt. Boss's Experiments. 
 
 The following is an extract from d, Report by Capt. Charles S. Boggs, 
 C. S. N., on experiments made at Schenectady, N. Y., with "Wood and 
 Lay's Torpedo.''* 
 
 "The dimensions of the experimental shells were as follows : — three feet 
 in height, one foot in diameter, cylindrical in form, and constructed of 
 iron one sixteenth of an inch thick ; with a diaphragm inside, dividing 
 the interior into two compartments, the lower containing the powder, and 
 the upper portion acting as an air vessel to direct the course of the ex- 
 plosion. The shells were exploded when in a vertical position." 
 
 ~~~~ « See riate XXIII. 
 
50 EXPERIMENTS WITH TORPEDOES. 
 
 EXPERIMENT No.l. 
 "In this trial the shell contained 401b8. of powder, and was retained at 
 the bottom of the river, at a depth of 10 feet, by attaching a weight of 
 1201bs. The weight being detached the torpedo rose to the surface in 
 two seconds and there exploded, raising a column of water, as nearly as 
 could be determined 175 feet high, some of the fragments of the shell 
 being projected to a height of probably 400 feet. The diameter of the 
 column of water raised was about eight feet, and caused but little distur- 
 bance immediately under the vertex of the explosion." 
 
 EXPERIMENT No. 2. 
 
 "A shell containing 601bs. of powder was moored to the bed of the riv 
 
 er, and a heavy raft of timber WXlS feet square, and 10 inches in 
 
 thickness, solid, well bolted and secured, was placed over the shell, S^ft. 
 
 of water intervening between the raft and the top of the shell. 
 
 When the shell was exploded, the raft was blown to atoms, some of the 
 pieces being raised to a vertical height of from 175 to 200 feet. The col- 
 umn of water was in this case concentrated and solid, reaching appa- 
 rently a height of 200 to 250 feet, the fragments of the raft falling at no 
 great distance from the point of explosion." 
 
 EXPERIMENT No. 3. 
 "The shell in this case contained 501bs. of powder, and floated in the 
 water so that the upper extremity of the shell vras about one foot be- 
 nea;th the surface. 
 
 Thecolumnofwaterwas raised about 250 feet vertically, and was 6 
 feet in its concentrated diameter. 
 
 The shells were exploded by a line of about 125 feet in length; at 
 which distance the operators stood without any inconvenience, and could 
 have been in a boat 10 feet from the point of explosion without beino- in 
 any danger excepting from falling timber broken up by the explosion. 
 
 In torpedoes and subniarinp mines as heretofore constructed the ex- 
 plosions have been nearly equal in all directions, it is well known that 
 powder exploded in vacuo loses much of its pflFcet and in torpedo eases fil- 
 led entirely with explosive compound, rupture takes place instantlv, when 
 in consequence of the water coming in contact with the powder, much 
 ot It remains unburnt; and its effect diminishes in the ratio of the 
 quantity unburnt. 
 
 The centre of gravity of the improved shell is so fixed that its vertical 
 position at the time of contact and explosion is sesured, and a diaphrao-m 
 of slight resistance placed in the shell fo^ms an air space which dire"cts 
 the force of the _explo,*iye material iu the shell, while it secures the 
 means of causing it to rise rapidly when liberated and in maintaining its 
 vertical position in contact with the bottom of the vessel when exploded. 
 ^ Iheexperimepts prove very conclusively the correctness of the theo- 
 
 ir,!^" "*'''i^°'^ °! firing was by lihgting a ball enclosed in a twbe two 
 inches m diameter extci,d,ng the length of the shell. 
 
 I'rom the foregoing, twill be seen that the concentration of force of 
 the explosion is due to the air cliamber.*" " " * * 
 
 * 8m Fig. 1 Plato XXIX and its exiilanatiou. 
 
EXPERIMENTS W^ITH TORPEDOES. 51 
 
 Actlugr Master Rodgers' Experiments. 
 
 In the month of November 1864 Acting Master Henry J. Rogers, 
 U. S. N., was detailed by the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Na- 
 vy Department, to, superintend some experiments, with Jones' Subma- 
 rine Battery, to be made- in New York Harbor. 
 
 The following is an extract from his Report : 
 
 ******♦♦ » 
 
 "The invention is designed for defending channels and harbors against 
 ingress and departure of hostile vessels, and others engaged in bloeltade, 
 running; also to destroy the rams and iron-clads of an enemy. 
 
 The submarine battery consists of a 20 pounder Dahlgren gun, secured 
 to a frame of wood as a base, gun placed vertical and supported at the 
 trunnions by a cast iron frame, India rubber packing or buffers being 
 placed at the trunnions to counteract the recoil of the gun. 
 
 There is also attached to the frame work of the gun a small iron water- 
 tight apartment, or primer box, in which are properly arranged a series 
 of friction primers, which communicate by means of an elastic rubb 
 tube with the gun.* 
 
 The apjiaratus for exploding the friction primers and firing the gun is 
 worked by a system of levers connected with the discharging rods, which 
 extend nearly to the surface of (hs water, so that the gun is readily dis- 
 charged by any vessel falling in contact with the apparatus.! 
 
 The first experiments were made with blank cartridges to test the ac- 
 tion of the communicating tube, which was demonstrated by igniting the 
 charge, by means of the friction primers ; the length of the tube was 18 
 inches. 
 
 Nov. 30th. The battery was placed , for transportation on the Steam 
 Tug "Gen. Frank Siegel," and conveyed across the Hudfon river to the 
 opposite shore, where it was submerged in 23 feet of water at 1 o'clock 
 P. M. Time occupied in placing the gun in position 20 minutes. 
 
 In regard to the security to life and person in handling and locating 
 this battery, I had no'doubt, as a safety look or bolt had been attached 
 to the apparatus previous to its submersion, to be removed when the bat- 
 tery was ready for action. Had there been any doubt on this point re- 
 maining, an accidental occurrence followed the first placing of the bat- 
 teryi find which removed all doubt as to the safety of the apparatus, viz- 
 
 The tug upon which we were operating, through mismanagement of 
 the pilot, or other cause, was thrown immediately over the battery, 
 crushing the discharging rods, and breaking the guy lines used for sus- 
 taining the rods in a perpendicular position. This accident so dispelled 
 all doubt as regards the safe, ha idling of the apparatus that the men 
 worked over anl about the gun with the greatest confidence. To repair 
 the discharging rods, it was necessary to raise the battery. 
 
 * Ttie rubber tube referred to is intended to cover and connect the metallic tubes, 
 one of which proceeds from the Tent of the gun ; the other from the "primer box ;" ap- 
 proaching each other within suitable distance to withstand the recgil of the gun with- 
 out injury to same. (Signed) A.J. 
 
 t These rods can be arranged to approach the surface of the water, at will, according 
 to the depth of the water in which the battery is located, and the supposed draft of the 
 vessels to be destroyed. , (Signed) A.J. 
 
^ EXPERIMENTS WITH TORPEDOES. 
 
 Dec. 2iid. Baised battery by means of the tug's derrick ; found safe- 
 ty pin, as expected, in its place. Upon opening the primer box, found 
 it and the gun half filled with water, caused by a leak in the lead cap 
 placed over the muzzle of the gun. Withdrew the shell and found the 
 
 charge saturated with water. 
 
 * * * * * * *■* 
 
 Dec. 6th. Gun charged with two pounds of powder and a hollow shell, 
 filled with sand, as it was impossible to obtain solid shot of the right 
 calibre from the New York Yard. 
 
 This time submerged the apparatus at 1 o'clock 15 minutes, P. M., in 
 30 feet of water ; time occupied 20 minutes. 
 
 At 2 o'clock 45 min. P. M., discharged the gun by towing over the ap- 
 paratus a raft of timber 30X15 feet, 16 inches thick, for the purpose of 
 experiment. 
 
 The explosion of the gun, raised the raft, weighing upwards of 20 
 tons, 18 inches, while the hollow shot was driven against the raft with 
 suiQh force as to break it in several pieces. 
 
 After the explosion, I was astonished at the state of preservation 
 shown, by the apparatus; so little injury had been done that a few dol- 
 lars will repair it and place it in a condition for further use. 
 
 The power developed by this apparatusf charged with only two pounds 
 of powder is wonderful, and fully demonstrates its destructive capacity 
 if in contact with iron olads or other vessels. If a larger gun and sol- 
 id shot were used the destructive result can be hardly estimated, when 
 discharged under a vessel.* 
 
 The simplicity of the apparatus is such that it acts solely on the self- 
 explosive principle; theteforeit may be efiectually used for the discharge 
 of torpedoes or any other form of submarine battery. It is self-acting 
 and does not require attendance ; as any vessel coming in contact with it 
 must explode it. ■ 
 
 , The recoil of the gun was less than two inches, the rubber bufiers 
 placed at the trunnions counteracting the efifect of the explosion; nor did 
 thersljghtest displacement occur to any portion of the frame work or iron 
 supports placed under the trunnions of the battery. 
 
 The primer box, containing the friction primers, which is cast iron 
 only one fourth of an inch thiali. was, however, fractured by the gas es- 
 oapingfrom the vent of the guns ; this can be easily obviated by using a 
 heavier; casting of iron, or substituting gun metal in its place, or a safe- 
 ty valve may be used for the escape of the gas. 
 
 The discharging rods were held in their place in SO feet of water a- 
 gainst the force of the. tide and current of the North river by the simple 
 guy lines made of tarred ratline three sixteenths of an inch in diameter. 
 
 The primer box, was submerged for 36 hours to test its water-tight ca- 
 papjjy ; and was fonnd dry upon examination.! 
 
 (Signed) HEiVRY J. ROGERS, 
 
 Acting Master, U. S. N. 
 
 * One or move guns can be used with the same primer box, and verv littr* 5,rtrfin,.„„i' 
 mftPbi^W. When mow th»» one «un is used, they are arranged for e^onoLtrioJrdf 
 TfVgiAg flro at wUl, f Signed) A.J. 
 
 t Wae submerged in the Korth river at the foot of 32d st. dock. (Signed) A. J 
 
BSPiBiKEsrf s witn^^TbttTBxifka. f® 
 
 Mr. Beardslee's Exi^erlments,; 
 
 Head Quartrrs,. D. S. Milmak-f- iuasinEiiY. 
 West Point, N. Y., JANUAEy 17, 1865/ 
 
 SpBctAL Obbers ) Extract. 
 
 No. 7. I 
 
 I. A Board to conaist of : 
 
 Professor W. H. C. Barttett, U. S. Military Acade;my. 
 Major G. H. Mendell, Corps of Engineers, 
 Captain 0. T. Balch, Ordnance Corps, 
 Will meet in the basement, Academic Building, at II a. m., on the 
 19th. instant, to examine Beards-lee's Magneto-Mectric Battery, and to 
 make such experimental trials with it as will fully test its merits for war 
 purposes, particularly in exploding mines or torpedoes at great distan- 
 ces and depths, in conformity with the directions of the Chief Engineer 
 of the 6th and 23d ultimo. 
 
 The Board will submit a report of their experiments, and state any 
 advantages tjiis apparatus may have over any others now in vise for mil- 
 itary purposes. 
 
 By order of General Cullum, 
 (SigAed) Ebwa^b C-^ Boyjijipitjri 
 
 CaiptaiU' aad. Adjutant. 
 
 JaB»£iry 24th, 18^§.. 
 
 The-Board witnessed the following experiments : 
 
 The operation of espbdin^ a single cartridge, at the word" of com- 
 mand, using 1300 feet of insulated copper wire to conduct the current, 
 and the most powerful of the three m.ichines exhibited,' having a radial 
 ma,gnet of ten points, The same experiment repeated with, eaeh of the 
 smaller machines, the radial magnet in each having but six points. 
 These machines producing currents legs, bpth in iwt^^slty, aij.^. quantity 
 than that produced by the larger machjnq. 
 
 The same experiment with the circuit passed through a clock, and tbg 
 discharge made at a specified time as iii4ica.ted by the clock. 
 
 The same experiment, with the exception, that a double cartridge, 
 suitable for torpedoes was used, (two sinu;le cartridges arranged on the 
 san^e wire, and several inches apart) and fired with tj^e layge machiiig. 
 
 January 25th, 1865. 
 A torpedo of boiler iron, containing fifty (50) pounds of mortar pow- 
 der was sunk in twenty-eight feet of water, the ice at the, surface above 
 it, being ten inches thick and very solid. Five miles of, insulated tin- 
 ned iron wire (composed of seven (7) strands No. 23 wire) were laid on 
 the.ice connecting the torpedo and the machine. But one conducting 
 wire .was used, the water completing the circuit. At the instan.t the sig,- 
 hal was giv^n, the tQrpedq, wa.s sucoegsfully ex.plpded. 
 
54 , SXPEMMIIJTS TTITE, TOHPBDPES. ,. 
 
 A thirteen (13) inch shell containing seven (7) pounds of powdei- 
 
 was sunk in one hundred and twenty (12U) feet of water, and exploded 
 
 thTOUsh the same wire and in the same manner. 
 
 ^# ».* ■>(• * * * * 
 
 February 2nd., 1865. 
 
 Twenty of Mr. Beardslee's cartridges were arranged along an insula- 
 ted wire at distances of eight feet apart, .the object being to fire them 
 simultaneously at the word of comm md, with a view ot showing how 
 the plan could be applied to a series of mines. The ground being cover- 
 ed with ice, the circuit of the current was completed by a fine copper 
 wire instead of the earth. 
 
 Upon the command being given, seventeen (17) of the cartridges 
 were exploded at the same instant; owing to some defect in the cart- 
 ridges, or in their connexion with the main wire, the other three could 
 not be exploded. 
 
 2nd. The same number of cartridges, arranged in a like manner, about, 
 eight feet apart, having been placed in the same number of eight inch 
 mortar shells Ir.id on the ice of the river, each "shell bOing charj^ed with 
 four ounces of powder — the series was connected with ttie miL-cntne by 
 2730 feet of insulated copper Vi^ire, and fired at the word of command. • 
 Seventeen (17) of the shells were fired at tha sam3 mDinant. 
 
 Some broken (Annexions, caused by the explosions, having been ad- 
 justed and the main circuit apparently completed, the ciirrent was again 
 sent over the wire, , exploding one more of the charges. The other two 
 could not be fired. 
 
 Mr. Beardslee exhibited to the Board a new plan for adjusting the dis- 
 tance between the ends of the copper conductors in his cartridges, so as 
 to insure -this distance being exactly the same in any number; an im- 
 portant point, since upon a current being sent over the wires to which a 
 number of cartridges are attached, if these distances are unequal, the 
 current will pass between those conductors whose terminals are in closest 
 proximity, and not between those which are more widely separated. It 
 was decided to try the efficiency of this plan in the next experiment. 
 
 Preliminary Report on Beardshe^s Magneto Electric Machine and 
 Cartridge. 
 
 Beardslee's Magneto Electric Machine consists of a radial or stellar 
 magnet having either six, ten, or twelve points or poles, north and south 
 alternating, mounted, so as to admit of a rapid rotary motion about an 
 axis perpendicular to its plane and passing through its centre. 
 
 This magnet is placed horizontal and above a circular ring of soft 
 iron, whose exterior diameter is equal to that of the magnet, and' 
 whose centre lies in the vertical axis, which passes through the 
 magnet's axis of motion. On this ring and perpendicular to it, are 
 arranged at equal intervals, cylinders of soft iron in number equal to 
 the points of the magnet, and so disposed that when a pple of the mag- 
 net is over one of them, the other will also be covered by the poles. • 
 
 These cylinders, or, as they arc technically called, spools, are each 
 surrounded with one fourth of a mile (44U yards) of insulated, silk- 
 ooyered Ko. 30 copper wire, coiled tightly upon ihem. The ends of the 
 coils are joined together in such a marinei- that a continuous current can' 
 pass around any number of the spoolsde»ired, and sO that they can bo 
 
ESPEKIMEXTS WITq TOISPEDOES. 55 
 
 arranged in sets of tliree, five, sii, ten or twelve accnrding as less or 
 move intensity of current is required. To obtain quantity, the spools 
 are separated into independent groups, each group tni owing its current 
 simultaneously into a common conductor, prcducmg a single resultant 
 current. 
 
 The stellar magnet having been properly charged, its lower surface is 
 placed as near as possible to the upper ends of the spools without having 
 actual contact. By its revolution eveiy consecutive pair of cylinders 
 below it becomes magnetized, and induced currents aie generated in the 
 coils. By the rapid rotary motion of the stellar magnet the polarities 
 of the solt iron are rapidly reversed, and a magneto electric current de- 
 veloped at each reversal running in opposite directions. 
 
 Details of the construction, of the essential parts. 
 
 The. Stellar Magnet of ten points has a diameter of about 15J inches. 
 It is composed ot a number of hard cast iron plates, all of the same 
 star form, superposed one on the other, the whole forming a compound 
 plate about one inch in thickenss, and charged by means of a powerful 
 electro-niagnct. 
 
 The V shaped openings between the points are filled with blocks of 
 dry wood, and the whole is bound together with a tire of brass 
 
 The magnet being placed in a hoiiiontail position, it is connected by 
 a system 01 gearing with a crank and handle above it, and the gearing 
 BO adjusted by mcaiis of a multiplying wheel that one turn of the crank 
 will give two revolutions of the magnet. 
 
 The spools are one and one eighth (1 J) inches long and one inch in 
 diameter, firmly attached to the plate on which they are placed, hach 
 layer of the insulated copper wire, with which they are wound, is sepa- 
 rated from the consecutive one by a covering of paper, coated with shell 
 lac varnish; and the top and bottom of the mass of wire around each 
 spool is insulated and protected in the same manner. 
 
 2 he ring on which the spools stand is made ot soft iron, and is one 
 and one eighth (li) inches wide, and three eighths (f) inches thick in 
 
 cross' section. , , . , . , , 
 
 The magnet with its gearing, the spools and the ring to which they are 
 attached, :ire all firmly secured in a stout cast iron liame, so arranged 
 that the 'magnet and the ^po^l8 can be pioperly adjusted to each other 
 and the proper connections made with the coils on the spools. 
 
 The other machines in which the magnets have a less or greater num - 
 ber of points though varying in some of the details, are constructed on 
 the same general principle. 
 
 THE cartridge. 
 
 The current produced by the magnet is partially interrupted in the 
 cartridge in this wise : The conducting wire is separated, and the ends 
 made to uhitu with two copper plugs of conical form {| copper sprigs) 
 driven obliquely in a cylindrical piece of dry wood about hull an inch in 
 diameter, as nearly in contact as perfect insulation will peimit. Tho 
 larger ends are flush with the end of the cyhnder; by means oi a 
 sharp file a groove is made across them and a circuit completed by plum- 
 baeo tubbed from the end of an ordinary pencil through .the groove, and 
 iB contained in a paper case attached to the dry wood cylinder. 
 
96 BJEFEBIMEaSfTS TMTH TOKTEDOES. 
 
 On establishiAg, the connexion ;and putting the magnet in inotion, the; 
 black lead is made ineandesoent, the iron is first burned out, afterwards 
 the carbon, and linally the cylinder of wood is set on fire, as was shown 
 in, thei experiments described. The light in a darkened room was very 
 intense. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 It will be readily seen from the description of this apparatus th^t un- 
 li]^?"Bunsen"s battery and that general mode of generating electric, cur- 
 rents, it requires tn,e use of no acids or liquids whatever, and thus 
 a,vbi(J§ th? difficulties which arise from their injudicious mixture, and im- 
 purities, as well as the riskp attending their transportation and expense 
 of their supply and renewal. 
 
 It is very portable, without risk of accident, and is ever ready to be 
 employed in any emergency and at the shortest notice. 
 
 The only outlay is in the original cost of the instrument ; its construC- 
 lioais simple; and, if well made, is not liable to get out of order. 
 
 The performances of the instrument are certainl)' very promising and 
 cannot fail to be. of great practical utility in the firing of mines and tor- 
 pedoes at considerable distances and depths. 
 
 As a motor in the operation of telegraphing, it is equally satisfactoi-y, 
 working with great facility and accuracy the telegraphic apparatus ex- 
 hibited by Mr. Beardslee to the Board. 
 
 The fiuiag of cartridges and the working of the telegraph wire accom- 
 plished by the same machine, so that when not employed in producing ex- 
 plosions, it might be made very serviceable in the communication of mes- 
 sages from one place to another within a range of army operations. 
 (Signed) Wm. H. C. Baktleit, 
 
 Prof'r & Pres'd't of the Board. 
 G. H. Mendbll, 
 
 Major of Eng'rs,. 
 •• Geo. T. Balch., 
 
 Capt. Ord. Corps, 
 West Point, N. Y. ) Recordei-. 
 
 yeb. 2 1865. I 
 
 West PbiNT, N. Y., 
 April 17, 1865. 
 
 In compliance with requirements' of Special Order No. 7 from the 
 Head Quarters U. S. Military Academy dated Jan'y 17, 1865, the Board 
 therein constituted met at 4 o'clock P. M., pursuant to the arranuement 
 made at the date of its last report (l''eb. 2 1865), to continue the'exam- 
 mation ot and experiments with Mr. Beardslee's apparatus for exploding 
 mines, torpedoes, &c. : all the members and Mr. Beardslee being present 
 
 Mr. Beardslee exhibited to the Board his new method of ecnnectinjr 
 
 the ends of two insulated wires so as to form a bridge lor a current to 
 
 pass from one to the other : the instrument,' for effectinc this, ccnsistincr 
 
 essentially of a cylinderof hard rubber one inch in diameter' and about 
 
 tOOTmches long, with a water-tight screw plug fitted in one end, which 
 he'«alls a ''uffitpn." ' 
 
.ESPE-BIMENTS WITH TpRPEDOES. 57 
 
 . For use in the present series of experiments, ho had two new magneto- 
 electric maclimos, the stellar magnets of which were similar to that de- 
 scribed in the previous report as uemg 15^ inches in diameter and hav- 
 in;j; ten poin;.s, but with tne addition of a sut of spools above as well as 
 below the magnet, thus doubling the volume of the current. 
 
 A new form of cartridge was also shown, in which the terminals of 
 the coniujtin,4 w^res were imbedded in a cylinder of hard rubber 
 2-tOths of an inch in diameter and some two inches long, thus permit- 
 ting tlie insertion of the cartridge m the vent of our service cannon. 
 
 Mr. Beardslee having brought w^th him six fifty pound and two fow- 
 huiidred ('tU,)) pound torpedte.s, it was decided to experiment with them 
 a 3 follows: 
 
 . Ono of the largest to be'fired as a buoyant torpedo, near the surface of 
 the water and m the channci-way cf the liudson r.vcr. Ihe other large 
 one to be iii-ed m thirty Icet of water. 
 
 Three of the small torpedoes to be arranged one or two hundred feet 
 apart in depths of water irjiu eight («) to tiurty ['60) leet and iiicd si- 
 multaneously. 
 
 'I'lie btlier small ones to be submerged in deep water to test their re- 
 sistance to its efleets ; one to be iiied at the end of a month, one at the 
 end of two months, and the thud at the end of three months. 
 
 Also to arrange tij 8-injh shells in three sets of twenty each, to be 
 firei simultaneously. 
 
 ApifiL 18, 1865. ■ 
 
 Sixty (60) 8-inoh shells were arranged on the ground in three sets of 
 twenty each, the shells in each set being about eight (8) feet apart. 
 
 The usual ground conn3ction was supplied in this instance by a com- 
 mon copper wire. The connections between the shells and the machine 
 were arranged as shown in i'ig. 1, Plate XA.V1II. 
 
 All the ground w.res for the twenty cartridges in each set being con- 
 neotaJ with one common gioand-wa-e leading to the machine, and the in- 
 sulated wires arranged in the same manner. , 
 
 The throe ground-wires were ail united to one of the current-connect- 
 ing screws of the machine, whilothe three insulated wires were brought 
 together near the machine, (6), so that a short wire, of which one end 
 was attached to the other connecting screw of the machine, could have 
 its other end [a], (freed from the insulating rubber fora length of half an 
 injh), drawn ra,jidly across the three ends ot the insulated wires (sim- 
 ilarly made bare,) thus niak.ng the explosions of the three sets sensibly 
 simultaneous. Upjn firing the shells at the command, seventeen (17) of 
 the first set of twenty (20)' exploded, but none in the other sets. 
 
 After various trials it was lound that owing to the faulty manner in 
 which the wires from the cartridges were attached to the main lines, the 
 current passed from one wire to the other beiore reaching the cartridges. 
 
 A large torpedo containing lour hundred and fifty (450) pounds o^ 
 powder was towed ofi" the north wharf into the, main channel, supported 
 near the surface of the water by its attached buoyant cyUnder, and in- 
 clined at an angle of say 15^ with the horizon, the upper end projecting 
 a lew inches above the water. , . . 
 
 It « as exploded successfully at the command, one wire only heing used. 
 
 Next,' a Similar torpedo containing four hundred and seventy -five (475) 
 pounds of powder (cannon) submerged in seven feet of water was also 
 
58 EXPERIMENTS WITH TOTSrEDOES. 
 
 successfully exploded at the command, throwing up a column of water 
 roughly estimated at between 300 and 400 feet high. '■ • 
 
 IN ext, three sets Of eight-inch shells of twenty each, arranged as on 
 the l'8th inst., were fired ; fourteen (14) in one set, nineteen (19) in tlie\ 
 next, and seventeen (17)..in the third, were exploded simultaneously,' 
 
 Three torpedoes, each containing fifty (501 pounds of cannon powder 
 were arranged in the Hudson river ofl the north wharf, about one hun- 
 dred and finy feet apiirt : one was sunk foiir (4) foot below the surface, 
 the next five (5) feet, and the third intended to be' thirty (30) feet, but 
 owing to its being sunk'over a point where the bottoin of the river sloped 
 rapidly toward the ch&nnel, it was estimated to have been in at least fifty 
 (50) feet of water when it exploded. 
 
 The torpedoes were arranged, with reference to the machine, as shown 
 in I'ig. 2 Plate XXVIII. 
 
 At the command, the one in four (4) feet of water exploded instantly: 
 the one in five feet immediately succeeding, each throwing up a mass of 
 watej' and mud. After the Japse of perhaps a minute, Mr. Beardsleo 
 having had time to stop the machine and get some fifty feet distant, the 
 effects of the explosion of the third were visible, by the elevation, to a 
 height of six or eight' feet, of a mass of water and mud over the spot 
 where it had b"een sunk. It was decided to have the three other torpe- 
 does sunk as prescribed on the 17th inst., and the results of the ex- 
 periments with them made the subject of a future report.* 
 
 The opinion expressed by the Board in its previous report, in regard 
 to the practicability of applying Mr. Beardsiee's apparatus to the explo- 
 sions, proximate and remote, of charges of powder, either in the form 
 of mines or torpedoes, separate or in groups, has been strengthened and 
 confirmed by these experiments. 
 
 The Board is satisfied that the want of complete eucccss in seme of 
 these experiments arose, not from any defect in the principle, but from 
 want of sufficient care in making the current connejtions ^ 
 
 Drawings of the two kinds of torpedoes used, showing the manner in 
 which the cartridges, are arranged within them, are herewith presented. f 
 (Signed) " Wm. H. C. Bartlett, 
 
 ' -'■''•'■'"■"' Prof.N. &'E.,Ph. 
 
 G. H. Mexdell, 
 
 Majorof Eng'rs, & Bvt. Lt. Col. 
 Geo. F. Balch, 
 Capt. Ord. Corps. 
 
 In October 1865 Mr. Beardslee made a series of experiments atChat- 
 hamj hngland, under patronage of the Admiralty. Numerous torpe- 
 does of various sizes, up to 4401b8., wore exploded by electricity ; ;.nd 
 the sailing Frigate Terpsichore, 18 guns, was successfully blown up with 
 a torpedo containing 75 lbs of powder. It is not known that any new 
 principle wa.^ employed in these experiments or tiiat any new facts were 
 deduced from their results. 
 
 <■ As no additional roport has been received by the Department, It is presumed th»t 
 these oxpei'iments were not made. "^ ""' 
 
 . t ?ee Plates XXi&iXXU.i. .. 
 
ExpsBJME^Ts-.' wna: .tokemoes. 59 
 
 Experiments at Willet's Foimt. 
 
 Report of Fxxcrimaiis en the force of gunpcwder explcdcd .under 
 water, made at Willet's Point, N. Y., November and December, 1KG5, 
 in compliance with the following oi'der : 
 
 ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, 
 
 AVashinuton, Oct. 28th 1865. 
 ExGiNEER Orders. 1 
 
 x\0. It). J 
 
 First Lieutenant \*''. R. King, Brevet Major U. S.A., will proceed 
 without delay to Willet's Point, ^(;w York Harbor, lor the purpose of 
 making experiments upon the loi-ce of powder under water, m accord- 
 anje with verbal instructions given him by the Chief Engineer. 
 
 On the termination of the above duty Major King will return" to ' 
 Washington and report at this Office. 
 
 (Signed,) RICIIAUD DELAFIELD, 
 
 Gejvekal & CnjEP. Kngikeek.- 0. ,S. A.. . 
 
 APP.\RATUS, PREPARATIONS, ETC. ,, 
 
 I'ho following descriptions and drawings* are explanatory of the 
 apparatus used in these experiments. . 
 
 I.- Pressure Pistons. 
 
 These were in every way similar to those used by Maj. Rodman of 
 the Ordnance Department and called "Internal Pressure Pjstons.'! The 
 discs, or pistcin heads, were made of difi'erent sizes aooordingto the dis- 
 tances at which they were to be placed from the charge. !■ or conveni^. 
 ence they were made of the following areas : 0".l, O'^.S, 2". 7, S"A, 
 12". 5, <&c. increasing according to the cubes of the numbers 1. 2. 
 3. 4. 5. which were intended to represent theirdiStiin- 
 ces from the centre of the charge. 
 
 Fig. 3 Plate XXVIII represents one of the pistons with ..an area of 
 2/n and shows the manner in which they were attached to the rings, 
 which held thorn in position. . _ 
 
 The pressure to be measured, coming in the direction indicated by 
 the arrow-head, is trantmitted directly to the cutter (C), which makes an 
 indentation of a certain length in the copper disc (D), which length in 
 inches, is ta,ken as an arguinent in the table of pressiiresf to obtain the 
 entire pressure, in pounds, and "the latter divided by the area, of the pis- 
 ton head gives the pressure per square inch. 
 
 « See Plate XXVIII. 
 
 t The table used was tliat constructed experimentally by Major Eodman, and' glTen' 
 in his "Beports of sxjjerimeuts on Metals for Cttaiioii."* 
 
60 - • ■: EXJffiKlirENTS-.WITff TIORPEDOES. 
 
 II. Ring's,, 
 
 These were male of iron f'thiok, as sliown in fig. 3, bent edgewise, 
 and of a width varying with their diameters, the Widest being 4" in 
 width, and the narrowest 2}". Their diimatera were 3/ b' . 1' . & 9'.* 
 inside, and they were placed in different vertical planes having a common 
 intersection which passed through the common centre of the rinys and 
 charge. 
 
 III. Derrick. 
 
 In order to lower the rings and their attachments to any desired depili 
 and raise them- after the explosion, a floating derrick was improvised by 
 substituting a boom for the hammer on an ordinary floating pile driver, 
 as shown in Fig.'i, W. XXVIII. 
 
 By this machine the rings could be lowered so steadily as not to de- 
 range the pistons, nor the insulated wire by means of which the explo- 
 sion was effected. 
 
 IT. Exploding Apparatus. 
 
 This consisted in one of Beardslee's Magneto-Electric-Machines, figs. 
 5 & 6, PI. XX\'III show a plan and elevation of the essential paits of 
 this machine. 
 
 As the object of the experiments herein reported was not to test the 
 efficiency of the exploJing apparatus, it is oniy necessaiy to lemark in 
 this connection that the machine worked well, and that the only laiiures 
 which ojjtirrel' wji-B trajja'ilo tD faults in the innilatioii. 
 
 By the rotation of the magnet (M M) the polarity of tiie soft iron bars 
 in the spools is rapidly reversed and a current is induced in the iniLU.ated 
 wire surrounding them, thus inducing alternate j^ulsations of pos.tive 
 and negative electricity. ■ '• ■ ' ■ 
 
 A full description of this piaohine will be found in the report of a 
 boaifd of officers, of which Prof. AV. II. C. Bartlett, U. S. Military A- 
 cadeiny, was President and which was convened at West Point lor the 
 puipo.se of testing Mr. Beardslee's method of exploding mines and tci- 
 pedoes, (page 54). 
 
 T. Cartridges. 
 
 These were similar to th-jse described in the report just referred to. 
 TI. Conducting fTire. 
 
 For this purp se a small cable composed of seven sinaH copper wires 
 twisted together and insulated by a sinijle coating o ' vul< anlzed rubber 
 was used. The water was u^ed to complete the ciroalt. 
 TII. Connections. 
 
 These were formed by scraping the ends of the wires, twisting them 
 together, and slipping a vulcanized lubber sleeve over the joint, as shc^^n 
 in I<igs. 1 & 2 Plate XXVI. The joint was dipped in a boiling mixtuie 
 of coal tar and rezin, both before and alter the sleeve was put on, and 
 the ends oi the small cords, after tyins; around the sleeve, were tied to- 
 gethert to prevent any strain, which might come upon the wire, iiom 
 pulling the ends apart. 
 
 VIII. Crater Gauge. 
 
 Inthe absence of a better one, the above name i« given to the .;pi ara- 
 tus represented in Fig. 7. Plate XXVIII. 
 
 •Tho flnt two sizes only wore roonived ia time lor use. 
 
EXPEEIMEKTS WIIVH TORPEDOES. 61 
 
 Fig. 8, PI. XXVIII shows the construction of one of the slides 
 ( S,S, S, Fig. 7). 
 
 The spring (S S,) allows a motion in the direction indicated by the 
 arrow only. 
 
 The manner of using this apparatus will be explained in the account 
 of experiments made with it. 
 
 Experiments. 
 1. The object of tha first series of experiments was to ascertain the ef- 
 fect of an air chamber in determining the direction of the explosion. 
 
 For this purpose, four cylindrical cases, of tin, 6" diameter and 3' 
 long, were arranged as shown by Fig. 1, PI. XXIX. 
 
 The charge was ignited at the point (C), the axis of the case being 
 horizontal and 5' below the surface of the water for the first three ex- 
 plosions, and 10' for the last. 
 
 The results were as follows : 
 
 1st ExpH. 2d Exp' t. 3d Exp' f. iih Exp't 
 
 Pressure at "A" 2100 lbs 2500 lbs.. ..2100 lbs 1500 lbs. 
 
 •' "B" 1500 lbs 1833 lbs... 1100 lbs 900 lbs. 
 
 per square inch. 
 
 Which shows an averaged loss of 35 per cent, by using the airrchamber 
 as above described. 
 
 During the first three of these experiments there was no wind, and the 
 water was smooth. 
 During the last, slight wind and waves. 
 
 JI. The object of the second series of experiments was to ascertain the 
 effect of increasing the number of points of ignition. 
 Six tin cases, 6'' in diameter, and 4' 6" long, containing 50 lbs. of 
 powder, were arranged in pairs, one of each pair being ignited at a .sin- 
 gle point, and the other being ignited once in 6'' along its axis. 
 
 Fig. 2, Plate XXIX, shows the arrangement of one of the cases ig- 
 nited at nine equidistant points. 
 
 In the trial of the second pair of oases, two additional pistons were 
 placed at the extremities ot the conjugate axis of the ring, or directly 
 above and below the centre of the charge. 
 
 The results may be tabulated as follows, the , numbers representing 
 the pressure per square inch in pounds. 
 
 Pressure at "A" 
 
 i: :>. «J)!) 
 
 Charges No. 1 & 2 were exploded 4' 6'' below the surface of the 
 water and both threw a column of water 75 to 100 feet high, ,the mass 
 . of water moved being much larger in the former than in the latter case. 
 Gentle wind and waves. 
 
 Charge No. 3 was exploded at the surface of the water, as before 
 mentioned,, and although the report was very much louder than either of 
 
 ' * This charge was explocli?d, by the carelessneBB of an aBSisfant, just as it touched the 
 
 water. 
 
 l.?t Pair. 
 No. 1. No.. 2, 
 
 2d Pair, 
 
 No. 3. No. 4. 
 
 3d Pair. 
 No. 5. No. 6. 
 
 J 1,000. 2,300. ;• 
 11,000. 2,300. 
 
 ri5 =" f .^ "^ "S 
 
 S)^g M^a 
 
 *300. 1,325. 
 1,832. 4,500. 
 
 180. 2,300. 
 
 180. 3,000. 
 
 <=>!. "-i-g. 
 
 15,562 2,700, 
 11,540 8,332 
 
 ft ft 
 
 oa r-l 
 
62 EXPERIMENTS WITH TORPEDOES. 
 
 the preceding explosions, the concussion at 50 feet distance was not 
 greater than that of a- 6 pounder field piece, when fired with a blank 
 cartridge. 
 
 A man who was standing within 25' or 30' sustained no injury by the 
 explosion. 
 
 Charge No. 4 was exploded 10' below the surface. Column of wa- 
 ter raised only 5 or 6 feet. No wind nor waves. 
 
 Charges JSo. 5 & 6 were exploded 10' below the surface. Column of 
 water from No. 5 raised 50 to 60 feet high ; and, from No. 6, 25 to 30 
 feet. The indication of the piston at "B", in the last explosion, was 
 doubtless too great and may be accounted for by the supposition that 
 a piece of the case was driven against the pis'ton head. 
 
 Leaving this last recqrd out of the computation, we have for the 
 charges ignited at nine points an averaged pressure of 12,275 lbs. per 
 square inch ; and for those ignited at a single point 2,632 lbs., or some- 
 thing less than one fourth part of the former. 
 
 From these results it is fair to presume that in the cases which were 
 ignited at one point the complete combustion of the powder extended 
 only about one foot (1.' 1") from the point of ignition,* and applying 
 this principle to a large sphefrical charge ignited at the centre (which are 
 the most favorable circumstances under which large masses of powder 
 can be exploded, with a single point of ignition) we can form an ap- 
 proximate idea of what obtains in that case. 
 
 Referring to Fig. 3, Plate XXIX 
 
 A B represents one of the tin cases ; 
 C being the point of ignition ; and 
 CD the portion of the charge, which will be entirely 
 oonspmed by igniting at C. 
 
 From "0" as a centre let two circles be described, one having a radius 
 (C B)=4.'6" and the other a radius (C D)=l'(nearly). The former 
 will represent a meridian section of a sphere the volume of which will 
 be 381.7 cubic feet, and the contents about 22,000 lbs. of powder. 
 
 The latter will represent a corresponding section of a sphere of which 
 the volume will be 4.19 cubic feet, and which will contain about 250 lbs. 
 of powder. 
 
 But the cylinder is not an aliquot part of the sphere, and in order to 
 attain even an approximate result we must ascertain what takes place in 
 the cone of which (C, E, F,) is a section. 
 
 In this cone, when the surface of inflammation has reached' (D d) the 
 mass of inflamed powder, consisting of grains in all stages of combus- 
 tion, will be only one third part of what it would be in the cylinder 
 while the resistance to be overcome by the expansive force of the gas is 
 sensibly the same in each case, at that point (D). The inflammation 
 will therefore have time to extend in the case of the cone, to some 
 point D', beyond D, before the expansive force of the gas can ruptura 
 and disperse the charge. From a rough calculation, it is found that the 
 distance d D' will be something less than one third of C d or that the 
 radius of the sphere entirely consumed will be about 1' 4" A sphei-e 
 of this radius will contain about 572 lbs. of powder, which show.sthat 
 only one thirty-eighth part of the entire charge is consumed. 
 
 « As a further evidence that this m the case, it may be mentioned that pieces of "spun 
 yarn" which were tied around the case to hold it in the ring, were in several instances 
 nnbrolionat the end (B), farthest fi-om the point of ignition, while at the opposite end 
 (C) they were all blown to atoms. 
 
EXPERIMENTS W^ITH TORPEDOES. 63 
 
 in. The object of the third seiHes of experiments was, to determine the 
 efi'ect of increasing th^ chao-ge, depth below the surface, and distance from 
 the charge to the point where the effect was measured. 
 
 For this purpose wooden shells (covered with paper and water-proof- 
 varnish) containing 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 lbs. of powder were pro- 
 vided with electric fuzes igniting them at the centre, and fired as herein- 
 after described. 
 
 The pressure pistons were placed on twp rings at right angles to each 
 other, their diameters being 3' and 5' respectively, each ring containing 
 four pistons, as shown in Fig, 4, Plate XXVIII.* 
 
 Although considerable discrepancies will be observed in the following 
 results, a careful inspection is siifficient to discover very nearly what the 
 true results are, and to establish beyond a doubt the practicability of ob- 
 taining by this method, results sufficiently accurate for all practical pur- 
 poses. 
 
 1. 10 lbs. of powder in 5 feet of water. 
 Inner king. Oittek ring. 
 
 Right lbs. 1,088 lbs. per inch. 
 
 Left " 855 " " " 
 
 Tip " 1,883 " " " 
 
 Down 2,300 " fSBQ " " " 
 
 Column of water 50' high ; — mud brought up from the bottom 25'. 
 
 2. 10 lbs. of powder in 5 feet of water. 
 Inner ring. Outer ring. 
 
 Right 2,300 lbs. 650 lbs. per inch. 
 
 Left 2,600 " 700 " V " 
 
 Up 1,500 " 1,100 '• " " 
 
 Down 1,500 " 
 Column of water and mud same as before. Chain broke loose from rings. 
 
 3. 10 lbs. of powder in 10 feet of water. 
 Inner ring. Outer ring. 
 
 Right 2,000 lbs. 1,242 lbs. per sq. inch. 
 
 Left 2,000 " 525 " " " 
 
 Up " 700 " " " 
 
 Down 1,916 " 
 Column of water about 20' high. But little mud raised. 
 
 4. 10 lis. of powder in 15 feet of water. 
 Inner ring. Outer ring. 
 
 Right 1,834 lbs. 1 ,976 lbs. per sq. inch 
 
 Left 2,000 " 1,477 " " " 
 
 Up 2,600 " 1,911 " " " 
 
 Down 1,916 " 578 " " " 
 
 Column of water raised 5' or 6'- Considerable wind and waves. 
 
 '•' It was found impracticable to procure a sufBcient number of rings and pistons (4 
 rings, and 16 pistons) as was intended, at the time of commencing these experiments. 
 f Piston blew out. 
 
64 IXI'EKIMENTg Wl-ffl TORPEDOES. 
 
 5« 20 lbs. of powder in 5 feet of water. 
 Inner ring. Outer ring. 
 
 Bight 5,572 lbs. 4,312 lbs. per sq. inch. 
 
 Left 4,857 " 
 
 Up 5,429 " 5,312 '' " " 
 
 Down 4,857 " 2,107 '• " " 
 
 Column of water 45' to 50' high. No wind nor waves. 
 
 6. 20 lbs. of powder in lOyee* of water. 
 Innea ring. Outer ring. 
 
 Right 4,198 lbs. 2,495 lbs. per sq. inch. 
 
 Left 7,664 " 
 
 Up 4,312 " 1,348 " " " 
 
 1,348 " " " 
 
 Down 4,374 " 2,495 '' " " 
 
 1,242 " •' •■ 
 
 Column of water about 50' high. Inner ririg Vjroke loose at top. 
 
 T. 20 lbs. of powder in lo feet of water. 
 Inner kixg. Outer ring. 
 
 Right , Only two" J 1,750 lbs. per sq. inch. 
 
 pistons I 1,286 '■ 
 
 Left used on f 2,500 " 
 
 this ring. ] 1,500 •' " '• 
 
 Up 4,350 lbs. 4,925 " - '' 
 
 Down 4,374 " ' 865 '' "' " 
 
 1,808 " ' " 
 
 Column of water 10' high. 
 
 8. 30 lb.s. of powder in lofeetot water. '' 
 Inner ring. Outer king. 
 
 Right 3,250 His. per sq. inch. 
 
 Left 3,120 
 
 Up 5;0001bs. (Other pistons lust.; 
 
 Down 
 
 Column of water 10' to 15' high. Inner ring broke loose. 
 
 9. 40 lbs. of powder iu 10 J'eet of water. 
 
 Inner king. Outer king. 
 
 Right ,j 8,800 lbs. 3,750 lbs. per su. inch . 
 
 18,400 ■■' 
 
 Left (7,166 '• 
 
 , 17,000. '■ 
 Up , [6,500 ■■ 4,502 
 
 16,000 '■ 
 Down (9,200 '■ 2,230 
 
 I 6,830 ■' 
 
 Column of waiL-r 30' to 40' hiuh. 
 
The secondary cuts, which occurred in several cases, especially the 
 last, were probably due to the elasticity pf the water, as will be explain- 
 ed hereafter. 
 
 IV. The object of the fourth aeries of experiments was to determine the 
 extent and form of crater produced by a given charge at a giyen. depth 
 below the surface of the water. 
 
 For this purpose, the apparatus shown in Figs.. 7 & 8' Plate 28^ was 
 prepared, but owing to continued rough weather only one experiment 
 was made with it. 
 
 The frame shown in Fie. 7 was raised to a vertical position by means 
 of the derrick; and a small spherical case, containing 10 lbs. of powder, 
 was secured at (C) the centre of the ring, the slides S, S, S, being in the 
 positions shown in the drawing. 
 
 The frame was then lowered,, in a vertical plane, until tjie centre of 
 the charge reached a point 5' below the surface of the water, wjien the 
 explosion was effected. 
 
 The result showed, as was. anticipated,, that the depth of water was not 
 sufficient* with the given charge to prevent the upper slides from being 
 thrown up to the ends pf the wires with such force as to break the con- 
 nection between several of the wires and the frame (A A.) 
 
 Fig. 4, Plate XXIX, phows the relative position of those slides which 
 were not probably disturbed by the breaking of the wires, the distances 
 given being measured from the centre of the charge, (C). 
 
 None of the slides were injured by the explosion, and none of the 
 wires, (which were common telegraph size,)- were det;aohed from the 
 ring at the centre. 
 
 Had it been practicable to repeat this experiment in deeper water there 
 is reason to believe that results could have been obtained! much more, ac- 
 curate and satisfactory than are usually attained in similar inve&tigar 
 tions. 
 
 An experiment similar to that just described was made with 20 lbs. of 
 powder in 5' of water, the ring and wires in this case being horizonta,!, 
 and the latter three in number; secured to piles instead of the frame be- 
 fore used. 
 
 The slides were left at an flvera.ged distance of T'&'f from. the centre 
 of the charge. 
 
 T. The last experiments consisted in exploding two charges of 10. lbs. 
 each in W of water, to ascertain the proper corrections which, were neces- 
 sary in order to reduce the indications of the pistons of various areas 
 to the same standard, the latter being assumed as the indication- of tie 
 pistons with an area of one-tenth inch. 
 
 For this purpose, two pistons of each size were placed on the same 
 horizontal ring (where the indications should have been sensibly: equal) 
 and from the discrepancies in the actual results (doubtless owing to the 
 varying weight of the cutter and piston head as compared with the area 
 xti the latter) the proper corrections were obt3.ined. and applied in all 
 the foregoing experiments where the pistons were used. 
 
 The actual results of these two explosions did not di£Fe"r materially 
 from the results of experiments 1 & 2 of the third series. 
 
 *Owing to the Bhoalinoaa of the water, and other causes this could not be corrected with- 
 out considerable doiay/ 
 
6g bspekiwents with torpedoes. 
 
 ' Conclusions. 
 
 Altfiou'sh the numlDel: of experitterits inade was not sufficient to justi- 
 fy any very aibitiary conclusions, efpecially in regard to dela)ls, 
 some general deductions may be made which are not only the most re- 
 liable information we have on the subject, but sufiiciently so tor all 
 practical purposes. . . . 
 
 The results of theirs* series of experiments indicate that an air cham- 
 ber should not be interposed between the charge and the object to be 
 
 destroyed.* , , . / ^ , 
 
 It is as easy to place the charge near the object as to: place, an air 
 chamber there, and in addition to the increased effect of the former ar- 
 rangement, we have (by placing the air chamber below the charge) an 
 additional security against moisture reaching the powder. || 
 
 The results of the second series of experiments give an idea of the im- 
 mense loss by the dispersion of the charge, when the latter is large 
 and contained in cases which offer but slight resistance to rupture. 
 
 Two remedies suggest themselves for this defect ; one, to ignite the 
 charge at many points simultaneously (a method which is practicable 
 but not economical); and the other, to make the sti'eng-th of the case so 
 nearly equal to the ultimate force of the contained charge that a very 
 large percentage of the latter must be consumed before rupture takes 
 place. The vast saving of powder which may be effected by this last 
 method is apparent from the results of ordinary rock blasting. 
 
 In illustration of this,~let us suppose an ordinary 12 pdr. shell con- 
 taining a bursting charge of about half a pound of powder to be in con- 
 tact with any vessel below the water-line. The explosion of this shell 
 will exert a force upon the bottom of the vessel at least equal to the force 
 required to rupture the shell, and, since a shell of this description will 
 pehetrate hard wood or even thin iron plates without breaking, this force 
 must be greater than the resistance offered by the vessel within the space 
 acted upon.** 
 
 It may therefore be concluded with a reasonable degree of certainty, 
 'that half a pound of powder, properly applied, will sink any vessel of or- 
 dinary construction, and,'as a ship totally disaliled is as harmless as one 
 blown to atoms, the only object of increasing the charge is to insure the 
 ' impossibility of plugging the orifice or of overcoming the leak by the use 
 of pumps. For this purpose, 20 or 30 lbs. of powder will be sufficient, 
 and even a smaller quantity would probably answer. 
 
 A very interesting and useful series of experiments might be made 
 by using strong iron shdls of various sizps in a manner similar to that 
 in which the wooden shells were used, in the third series of experiments 
 herein described, or with the crater gauge (Fig. 7). In order to prevent 
 the fragments of shells from injuring the rej;istering apparatus, their di- 
 : rection' could be determined within certain limits, by turning creases in 
 the surfaces of the shells, and placing these creases in the same planes 
 with the rings. 
 
 * [By reference to the description of the Wood and Lay torpedo page 29, f it will be 
 seen that the reverse of the principle is involved in the construction of torpedoes used by 
 the Navy Department.] 
 
 f See also report of experimeuts made with this torpedo by Capt. Boggs, page 49, 
 
 II Fig. 1, Plate XXX, and description. 
 
 '"'■■ 'liiib, uf cijuibe. intplies that the side of the vessel shall be but a few inches in thick- 
 uebb, us is geueially the cate *'bilow the ■water-line;" 
 
EXPEEIMENIS 'WIMf JTOK'^BDQES, 67; 
 
 From the ttird «erje» of experiments, leaving out those indications 
 which were probably produced by causes other than the direct action of 
 the inflam,ad powder, we have the follp-^ing averaged results, the num- 
 bers representing the pressure, per square inch, at the ends' of the near- 
 est pistons, or 1' 1" from the centre, of the charge. 
 Charge of 10 lbs. 2385 lbs.* 
 
 .. " " 20 " • 4700 " , 
 
 " '■ 30 " jSot definitely ascertained, 
 
 " " 40 " 7500 lbs. 
 
 The relation between the weight of a oharg;e and the pressure produced 
 by it, at, or near its surface, may be represented as shown by Fig. 5, 
 Plate XXIX. . , . . ^^ , 
 
 The abscisses of the curve representing the charges, in pounds, the or- 
 diriates will give the corresponding pressures per square inch. The only 
 part of this curve which in of any practical importance, is that in the yi- 
 cinity of the origin (A), which corresponds to small charges. Represent- 
 in;!; the pressure due to-oharges which are so small, or which are ignited 
 at so many points, as to be entirely consumed, by an ordinate , equal to 
 the abscissa, which represents the weight of the .charge, we have, for all 
 such charges, ordinates terminated by the straight line (A B,) which 
 makes an angle of 45° with the co-ordinate axes, and passes through the 
 origin (A). By reference to the above mean pressures, we find that those 
 due to 10 lbs. charge (2,385 lbs.), 20 lbs. charge (4,700 lbs.), and the 50 
 lbs. charges, ignited at nine points and entirely ciinsumed, (12,275 lbs.) 
 will give the ordinates of three points very nearly, in the line (A B),:and 
 that those correspoading to charges of 30 lbs. (not definitely ascertain- 
 ed), 40 lbs. (7500 -lbs.), &e., give the ordinates of points of a curve tan- 
 gent to A B at A. 
 
 Although np points of this curve other than those above given were 
 determined by these experiments, it may be assumed with mathematical 
 certainty that it constantly recedes from the tangent until finally it be- 
 comes parallel to the axis of x, or in other words, that it has ' an asymp- 
 tote parallel to that axis. 
 
 To determine the exact distance of this asymptote from the axis would 
 be a problem more curious thap useful, and would involve an i mmense 
 expenditure of powder, but it is evident that it must cut the tangent at 
 some point beyond "C," since it has been shown (Fig. 3) that 22 ,000 lbs. 
 of powder (ignited at the centre), will give a pressure greater than that 
 due to the complete combustion of 500 lbs. 
 
 By carrying out the original design of the 3d,serieS; of experiments, 
 which would require but a few .additional explosions, all useful informa- 
 tion in reo-ard to the curve in'question cpuld |)e o.btained,'and its equation 
 would.be a practical formula, for ascertaining the charge necessary to 
 produce a given efiect. : . 
 
 , In these complemental experiments, a sufficient number of rings and 
 pressure pistons should be used to determine at the same time the re- 
 lation between the pressure and distance from the charge. 
 
 The depth of water should also be increased to 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 
 
 feet to ascertain the relation between the depth axiA. pressure. 
 
 The efiect of charging the di'pth of water between the limits 6 and 15 feet was not 
 considered of eufflcient importance to be taken into accoaut ia thiS' connectiuQ. 
 
68 XZPKKIlflirTS iri-TH TOSFBDOX*. 
 
 Theory of Scbmarine Explosions. 
 
 The relation between the "pressure and distance" from ia given charge 
 ■will give a curve similar to \a a' h V cd) Fig. 6, Plate XXIX, the or- 
 dinates representing the ^e««ure* corresponding to the distoAce* rep- 
 resented by the ahseissas. 
 
 As soon as the pressure .from the inflamed charge becomes greater 
 than the resistance orfered by the case containing it, the latter is ruptu- 
 red and the surface of the expanding gas moves on towards (X), the 
 
 W ■ 
 pressure increasing until some point (B) is reached where -^-is a maxi- 
 mum.* From this point the pressure decreases very rapidly until it be- 
 comes, sensibly, zero. 
 
 The curve from (a) to (6')t is concave towards the axis of [x); at (6) 
 it has a, tangent parallel to that axis; and from (6') onward, it is convex 
 towards the axis of (x) ; the latter being, (theoretically) an assymptote. 
 
 The law of the resistance of the Water will be given by the dotted line 
 a g gr', the ordinates of which constantly increase or diminish with the 
 distance from the origin, and depend for their values upon the depthot 
 the charge below the surface of the water and the direction of the line 
 (A X) with reference to the latter surface. The depth of water below 
 the cnarge^also affects the resistance to be overcome, according as the 
 line ( A X) approaches or recedes from the surface of the water. 
 
 When the surface of the gas has reached the point (P), the ordinates 
 of the two curves become equal and the pressure and resistance are in 
 equilibrio, but the ex|)ansion of the gas will continue until the living 
 force acquired in passing over the distance (0 P) is overcome by the 
 continued resistance of the water. The point (P') at which this takes 
 place, as given by the "Crater Qange" in the 3d series of experiments, 
 was for 10, and 20 lbs. respectively, (the charges being 5' below the sur- 
 face, and the line (A X) Iiorisontal) 6' 6" and 7' 8", from the centre 
 of the ch3,r^p. 
 
 At the point(P') the expansion of the gas ceases, and the elasticity 
 of the w-ater, ai^ded by its weight, force the displaced water back towards 
 (A), the gas in the mean time making its escape to the surface of the 
 water,' (either in a single volume or broken up into small bubbles accord- 
 ing to the distance it has to pass through the water, and being greatly 
 condensed in volume by the cooling effect of the latter). 
 
 Since this inovemerit takes place simultaneously on afl sides of the cra- 
 ter, the water meeting at the centre, it would appear that a second con- 
 cussion must result; and that under certain circumstances this would be 
 greater than the first. This is precisely what was observed to take 
 place in all the' preceding experiments. The first effect of the explosion 
 appeared to be a violent tearing asunder of the case and water, and af- 
 ter a momentary pa-use (greater than that due to the difference of velo- 
 city of sound in air and water) a concussioi) was felt, similar to that pro- 
 duced by a heavy wave striking a steamer under the guard, followed by a 
 jet of water projected from the crater and of a height and diameter de- 
 pend ing upon the size of the charg e and its depth below the surface. 
 
 • Tor small charges and for all charKus conft»e(J in yery strong cuse, the diatance AB 
 will nearly coincide^ith AO, or the maximum pressure will be eierted near the surface 
 of thp case. ' , , , i ' 
 
 f ^b' IB the point of the cnrre corresponding te the instant when the derfU]mer,i of 
 
 gas ceases.^ 
 
EXHE'HI-MBN'fS WIl'H'WMfI'MMrES. '6^ 
 
 It was noticed that in 20 or 25 feet of water a greater quiintity of 
 mud was bvouglu to the surfaoo when the charge was froin 5 to 10 feet 
 dee]3 than when it was phiced nearer to the bottom ; and that the boiUiig 
 motion of the water was more violent aind prolonged under the same cir- 
 eumstanees. 
 
 In the foregoing discussion "W" represents the weighi of powder con- 
 sumed at any given time, and "V" the space it then, occupies. ^'^ is 
 
 V 
 therefore a measure for the density of the .gas., and, leaving tempa-ature 
 out. of the account, it will vary directly with the elastic force of the same. 
 
 Since (W) soon becomes constant, and (V) increases with the cube of 
 the distance from the centre, it might be concluded without experiment 
 or ooniputationthat in submarine explosions, where the gas is free t.o.ex- 
 pand in all directions, a great loss of force, must rtsult from , any at- 
 tempt to destroy an object beyond the distance (A B), or, since the charge 
 should be conlined in a strong case to insure its complete combustion, 
 as concluded from the third series of experiments it may be assumed 
 that a reasonable economy would require the object to bje very near the 
 point (0), or the surface of the charge.* 
 
 fixperiments at Chatham. 
 
 Inteoducmox. 
 
 * » * * * * * * .* , 
 
 "The experiments relating to the application of electricity to the explo- 
 sion of mines, of which i^ results form the suliject of the present re- 
 port, were entered upon !jy the late Ordnance Select Committee by di- 
 rection of the Secretary of State for War, the inquiry having been pro- 
 posed by Professor Wheatstone, and strongly recommended by General 
 Sir John Burgoyne. 
 
 A Sub-committee was appointed by the Select Committee in March, 
 185b, to determine upon the experiments to be performed, which consist- 
 ed oi^ — 
 
 Col. TuUoh, R. A.; Lieut. Col. Eardley Wilmot, R. A.; Captain 
 Younghusband, R. A.; Captain Bainhrigge, R. E.; Captain Boxer, R. 
 A.; Professor Wheatstone; Professor Sylvester; Mr. Abel; Mr. An- 
 derson; Captain Scott, K. fi. (Chatham), afterwards added .to the list 
 of members. 
 
 This Sub-committee met on several occasions, and witnessed experi- 
 ments made with an electro-magnetio induction coil constructed by 
 Ruhmkorff of Paris; with a hydro- electric machine, constructed by Sir 
 William Armstrong ;, and with a magnet of very considerable size, con- 
 structed by Mr. Henley, which was exhibited by him at the Paris Exhi- 
 bition of 1855, and was afterwards purchased for the use of the Royal 
 Gun Factories. (.The construction of this instrument was precisely the 
 same as that ijf the magnets devised by Mr. W,heatst«!oe.imany ysars 
 
 * Where a direction is given to the force of the explosion, or a 'projectile is used, a» 
 in the apparatus.described on page 49, or that on 51, this remark does inot hold^ood. 
 
70 EXPERIMBNTS WITH TORPEDOES. 
 
 since for ringing electro magnetic bells. The armature, instead of be- 
 ing rotat.ng, is suddenly detached from the magnet by means of a lever.) 
 
 * » * * * * * * , 
 
 The most important subjects inquired into, and on which conclusions 
 ■were arrived at by experimental investigation, as detailed in the pre- 
 sent report, vrere the applications of the following sources of electricity 
 to the explosions of charges of gunpowder: — 
 
 1st. Electro-magnetic induction, discovered by Faraday, and employed 
 in its most available form, as produced from the apparatus known as 
 Ruhmkorffs Induction Machine. 
 
 2nd. Discharges from a jar or battery, charged by Sir William Arm- 
 strong's hydro-electric machine, a new and powerful source of electricity 
 of high tension. 
 
 3d. Magneto Electric induction, the electricity being developed from 
 permanent magnets as also discovered by Earaday." ' 
 
 Part I. 
 Application op Electro-magnetic Induction-currents to the Ex- 
 plosion OF Charges in the Field. 
 
 "The objects of the inquiry which led to the conclusions given below 
 were : — 
 
 1. To obtain definite information with regard to the maximum num- 
 ber of charges which could be fired with certainty by means of a voltaic 
 battery of low power, and a powerful induction coil-machine. 
 
 . To discover the description of priming best adapted for applica- 
 tion in the fuzes to be used with the volta-induction current. 
 
 3. To ascertain the extent to which an electro-magnetic coil, made 
 of the best and most portable, construction, would be likely to resist in- 
 jury by ordinarily careful use, and by transport. 
 
 The coil-machine employed in the first experiments was one' of consi- 
 derable size and recent construction, prepared by M. Ruhmkorff, and 
 lent for the purpose, by Mr. WhcTitstone. Another appar;itus of similar 
 power, but constructed for the Ordnance Select Committee by M. Ruhm- 
 korff, with special regard to its service in the field, was also subsequent- 
 ly employed in many of th^ experiments. A battery of cast-iron cells 
 and zinc plates (the dimensions of the latter being 5 inches by 3 inch- 
 es) was employed as the most economical for general purposes. 
 
 In the greater number of the experiments, the current was made to 
 pass to the charges or fuzes through one mile of copper wire, 16 gauge, 
 insulated with gutta percha, the metallic circuit being in many instances 
 interrupted by an earth-connexion of about 200 yards in length. 
 
 The results furnished by a large number of experiments" led to the 
 following conclusions: — 
 
 1. Fine-grain or mealed gunpowder was found to be readily ignited, 
 by means of the induction coil, with the employment of one cell of the 
 battery. Numerous substances of a more highly explosive character 
 were tried alone, and in admixture with gunpowder, in order to ari-ive 
 at the description of priming material most suitable to aid in efi'eoting 
 the ignition of the maximum number of charges by means of the coif 
 machine. The best results were obtained with tulminate of mercury 
 
liXPJSBlMKNTS WITH TORPEDOES. 71 
 
 and with the oompositioii which furnished such successful results with 
 the maguot (seo Pai't III). The efficacy and delicacy of the fuze were 
 also found to depend in very great measure upon a proper adjustment of 
 the wire terminals which it enclosed. 
 
 2. The number of charges placed in succession in single circuit which 
 can be fired at once by means of powerful coil-machines, such as those 
 used, and with the employment of twelve cells of the battery specified 
 above, does not exceed eight (and was generally below that number) 
 even when priming compositions of a sensitive character, containing ful- 
 minate of mercury, gun-cotton, sulphide of antimony, and chlorate of 
 potash &c., were employed. The discharge of this number cannot, how- 
 ever, be reliea upon with any certainty, and the employment of twelve 
 cells does not appear to offer any decided advantage over the use of only 
 four. The ignition of two charges can be effected almost with certainty 
 by the employment of only one cell, and the I'esult appears to be ren- 
 dered certain by the use of four cells. 
 
 'A. By employing a rheotome for changing the direction of the current, 
 so as to bring wires, qonneoted with one or more charges, successively 
 into the circuit, as in the system employed by MM. du Moncel* and Ver- 
 du, a considerable number can be fired in very rapid succession. The 
 result is, however, perfectly certain only when a single charge is brought 
 into the circuit at one time. 
 
 4. If, instead of arranging the charges in a simple circuit, in the ordi- 
 nary manner, each one is separately connected with the main wire and 
 theearth (or with the two wires), as first proposed by M. Savare, the 
 current, when established, will distribute itself along each divided 
 portion of the circuit, and ignite simultaneously or in rapid succession 
 the several fuzes which have been introduced. Five or six charges may 
 be thus at once exploded, and a far more considerable number ignited, 
 with a rapidity almost instantaneous, as the first of the very rapid suc- 
 cession of currents established by the coil-maohine passes through and 
 ignites those fuzes which offer the least resistance, while the others are 
 fired in their turn by the succeeding currents. 
 
 This method of exploding a number of charges at once or in very ra- 
 pid succession is far more eiiicient than that described at paragraph 3 (sm- 
 pra), and renders the operator independent of the uncertainty of firing 
 three or four charges simultaneously when arranged in a simple circuit; 
 for, when the charges are arranged in a single line, if the ignition of the 
 whole number is not perfectly instantaneous, the explosion of the first 
 prevents the discharge of the" remainder, while, in the arrangement just 
 referred to, the connection of each fuze with the instrument is indepen- 
 dent. 
 
 5. In the course of the experiments carried on with the two- coil ma- 
 chines constructed by M. Ruhmkorff (one of which was, as already stat- 
 ed, specially prepared for these experiments), a considerable irregularity 
 was observed in the power of the same machine at different periods, al- 
 thouu'h the battery-power employed was to all appearance, the same on 
 eaoh'occasion ; an irregularity which must be ascribed to defective insu- 
 lation, arisino- from the deposition of moisture on some portion of the 
 apparatus. It was also found that the arrangement attached to the coil- 
 machines, known as the oondensor, upon which the intensity of the cur- 
 rent oroduced greatly depends, was very liable to become deranged in 
 the tniinport of the apparatus and by other trifling causes. Such a de- 
 rangement was found to be fatal to t he efSciency of the appar atus. 
 
 * See bottom of page 45. 
 
72 EXPERIMENTS WITU TORPEDOES. 
 
 The perfect insulation of each coil of the secondary wire, and other 
 somewhat delicate portions of the apparatus, were also found liable to 
 injury from a variety of sources, which it would be very difficult to guard 
 against in the employment of coil machines for field purposes, and by 
 persons not thoroughly acquainted with their somewhat complicated con- 
 struction and their action. 
 
 Although, therefore, the system of exploding charges by means of the 
 induction coil machiiie offers very important advaHtages over the voltaic 
 battery, employed alone (one of the principal being the great reduction 
 effected by its use in the power of battery required), its adoption as a 
 general substitute for the old system of operation with the voltaic batte- 
 ry cannot be recommended with confidence, principally beoaiihe proper 
 reliance cannot be placed upon the certainty and permanent uniformity 
 of action of the induction coil-machine." 
 
 Part II. 
 
 Employment of Armstrong's Hvdro-electric Machine as a Source 
 
 OP Electbicitt for the Explosion op Charges op Powder. 
 
 * * * * * « * *,s 
 
 "A small portable hydro-electric machine was constructed specially for 
 the inquiry, and placed at the disposal of the Ordnance select committee 
 by Sir William Armstrong. 
 
 It consisted of a small vertical boiler (supported on a sheet-iron stand 
 in which a grate was fixed) of two gallons capacity, provided with a safe- 
 ty valve by which the pressure of steam could be regulated up to 90 lbs. 
 on the inch. The head of the boiler was provided with a. cock, so as to 
 admit of the escape of steam, to which was fixed a horizontal iron pipe, 
 nine inches in length, and of half an inch internal diameter, and fitted 
 -with the jet and wooden cylinder which serve for the issue of the ^team 
 and the development of the electricity. The iron pipe was surrounded 
 by a small metal box, which, when the apparatus was in use, was pai-tly 
 filled with water so as to effect a partial condensation of the vapor as it 
 passed through the pipe. A brass fork, raised to a level with the jet, and 
 capable of adjustment at different distances from it, served the purpose 
 of conducting the electricity from the jet of steam to the Levden jar or 
 jars, which were placed in a sheet-iron casing immediately' under the 
 steam jet. The boiler was very well adapted to the rapid generation of 
 Dteam of considerable pressure. About twenty minutes after the wood- 
 fire was kindled a pressure of 60-70 pounds was obtained, tlie boiler be- 
 ing one third full of water. 
 
 To avoid the possibility of the water in the l)oiIor priming during an 
 operation, in which case the charging of ajar with electricity could not 
 be accomplished, it was indispensable : — 
 
 1. That the boiler should not contain too large a quantity of water 
 (it was found safest to employ it not more than one half full) 
 
 2. That the water should be free from solid matter in suspension It 
 wasthereforenecesKary, notonly to employ perfectly clear water' but 
 to clean out the boiler after each experiment (if spring or river-water 
 were emp oyed) so as to remove all solid matter deposited by the boiling 
 water With the employment of rain or distilled-water this precaution 
 was of course rendered unneces.sary." 
 
SXPEKIME.VTa WITH. TORPEUOES. Tit 
 
 "The time required to charge, with eleoti-ioity a Leyden jar of SfbeiitJi 
 square feet surface, when tlie machine was in good working ortej, was 
 found to be from five to seven seconds. The rapidity with, which, the jar 
 was charged proved, under favorable conditions, to be proportionate to 
 the pressure of steam employed, the most suitable being frpin,60, tOi 70 
 lbs. per square inch. 
 
 The first experiments on the ignition of charges were conducted, with 
 only short lengths (from 12 to 50 feeit) of wire, to serve ascpnnexion? be- 
 tween the jar and the charges. The machine was workedj in. a locality 
 sheltered from- wind or draught. The. priming composition .employed, in 
 the charges was the same as that ultimately adopted in the e^perirnesnts 
 with the magnet (See Part III). 
 
 Two different pla,B8 were available, for firing the charges :^t 
 
 1. By completing the circuit, beforei the jar was. charged, and, allowing 
 the fuzes to be, fired by the spontaneous discharge of the, jar. 
 
 2. By allowing a definite time (about 6 or 7 seconds) for, the charging 
 of the jar before completing the circuit. 
 
 The first method would be preferable for the ignition, of a very large 
 number of charges in the same circuit, as the employment of thy max-, 
 imum charge attainable would thus, be secured. If, however,, the igni- 
 tion of the charges had to be effected at. a given. time, it would b^^neces- 
 uary to employ the second method. 
 
 The results obtained by this apparatus were very variable. On one 
 or two occasions (five seconds being allowed for the charging of the jar) 
 it was found impossible to fire six charges, plaojed^n a siijiple, circuit, 
 simultaneously, with certainty ; although, when, eight, and afterwards 
 twelve, were connected in a similar manner, seven and eleven were.ficsd, 
 the conditions (as to pressure, &e.) being, apparently the same. On. an? 
 other occasion, with a pressure of 70 lbs., and an allowance, of seven 
 seconds for the chargingof the.jar, forty fuzes, were placed in cirquitj 
 and the whole number discharged. One hundred and twenty were ii,i-r 
 terwards placed in cirouitj and.of these one. hundred were instantaneous- 
 ly discharged. Attempts were subsequently, made, under apparently th^ 
 same conditions, to obtain a repetition of these results, but, without suc- 
 cess. 
 
 Kxperiments made to effect the ignition- of several charges in cirxJujj; 
 through a considerable length (one mile) of covered wire and/a,n earthy 
 connexion, were only very partially successful. At flrsit the greater 
 portion of the wire was left in a coil, for the sake of conifenienee, and 
 only a short earth-connexion, (about 20 feet) was employed, Very suc; 
 ce^sful, though not uniform, results were obtained, forty ajid, fifty, fu?,^8 
 (the entire number' in circuit) having in some instances,, iaeen,igniitpd, 
 while in others a few were left in different parts of the, circuit. IJpon 
 uncoiling the wire to the extent of about COO yards, and oaji^ingtbe; cir- 
 cuit to be completed by the earth j these, results could not in any way. be 
 depended upon, and on no occasion were as many aa forty charges fired, 
 the number at times not exceeding five or six. 
 
 A few experiments made with small Leyden. jars cbargedi.with; eleft- 
 tricity from the ordinary cylindrical machine, were confiBmatory of tlje 
 comparative uncertainty in tiring a large number of charge thrpijgh an 
 extended metallic circuit ot considerable length. Forty chflrgesiwerp fi; 
 red by means of a Leyden jar, containing 60 square inches of s(irface, 
 the electricity passing lurough about 20 teet of, wire-circuit, but on emr 
 ploying one mile ol wire, with an earth connexion, the igniJiaoj},,of 
 
74 EXPERIMENTS WITH TORPEDOES. 
 
 twenty-five charges, though once or twice successful, could not be de- 
 pended upon. 
 
 Attempts were made on two occasions to employ the hydro-electric ma- 
 chine in the field. The spot selected for the experiment was the open 
 and sloping ground near Brompton Barracks, Chatham, known as fct. 
 Mary's (and as the locality of the field works near the Royal Engineer- 
 Depot). 
 
 The machine was placed in the open air, on rising ground, and SSO 
 yards of covered wire were employed, of which about 60 yards were ex- 
 tended, an earih-conne;(ion ot that length being used in the place of 
 a second wire. Two Lcyden jars each containing about 1 J square feet 
 of surface, formed the battery. They were enclosed in a stout wooden 
 box, and every precaution was taken to have them dry at the commence- 
 ment of the experiments. The time to be allowed for the charging of 
 these jars, as determined by previous experiments, made in a thelteied 
 locality, was about ten seconds, with the employment of steam at 70 
 lbs. pressure. The atmosphere was dry, and a slight breeze blowing, on 
 the day of experiment. The machine was so placed that the steam-jet 
 should be as little as possible affected by the wind. 
 
 Repeated unsuccessful attempts were made to fire fifty chai-ges in cir- 
 cuit ; these were then gradually reduced to twenty, whtn only five were 
 ignited, in different parts of the ciicuit. It was soon found impossible 
 to charge the jars to more than a very slight extent. This. uniavorabJe 
 result was ascribed partly to an interlerence of the slight wind with the 
 steadiness of the jet of steam, and partly to the diitculty of maintain- 
 ing the Leyden jars in a suitably dry condition. The machine was re- 
 moved to a trench of some depth for the purpose of sheltering the steam 
 jet from the wind, but with no better result. 
 
 On a second occasion the machine was sheltered from the wind, which 
 blew freshly, by being placed hehind a shed. Forty fuzes were placed 
 in circuit, with two hundred yards of covered wire, coiled up, and an 
 earth-connexion of about 20 feet. The two Leyden jars were em- 
 ployed, 'and the whole of the charges were simultaneously ignited. 
 
 The wire was afterwards uncoiled, and the same number of fuzes were 
 again placed in circuit, but these did not fire. On reducing the number 
 to twenty-five, nineteen were exploded, six being left in different parts 
 of the nircuit. 
 
 The experiments with this hydro-electric machine were not continued, 
 as it was considered sufficiently proved by those already instituted that 
 the details, or rather the auxiliaries, of this apparatus, must undergo 
 some considerable modifications before any thing like definite results 
 could be obtained with it. Arrangements for securing the preservation 
 of the jars in a sufficiently dry condition, and lor screening the jet of 
 steam from the prejudicial influences of the wind or drauj.ht, might 
 readily be carried into effect, and would unquestionably contribute greatly 
 towards rendering the apparatus more certain in its action. 
 
 With reference to the possibility of using the hydro-electric machine 
 with advantage in mining operations, even the results already obtained 
 are of a nature to warrant the adoption of the following conclusions: 
 
 1. That in mining operations of very extensive character (the de- 
 struction of docks, bridges &c.), where it is desirable to ignite a very 
 large number of charges simultaneously, and at which, as is most gene- 
 rally the case, full appliances and conveniences aie at command for 
 thoroughly fulfilling every conditioa of success, there is no doubt that 
 
EXPEHIMKK'IS WITH TORPEDOES. 76 
 
 the hydio-elcctiio nsachine is readily Eusccptible of vejy clfective ampli- 
 cation, and possesses great advantages over other .arrangementi by 
 which static or dynamic electricity may be applied. to. the tame purpose. 
 2. That for general use in the field, the hydro-electric machine, even^ 
 if its appliances are arranged in a muih more cfficitnt.manr.-er than was 
 the case with the apparatus abovt referred to, is not very ilikely to prove 
 an instrummt upon the certainty of whoSe action, at any mcmtnt, the 
 proper reliance can be placed, and principally on account of the difficulty 
 of ensuring, in the field, the fulfilment of those conditions which appear 
 essential to the proper generation of electricity by means of the steam- 
 jet." 
 
 Part i i i . 
 
 AppIjIcation of Permanent Magnets to the Explosion oe Mines 
 AND Submarine Charges. 
 
 "The ignition of gunpowder by the direct magneto-electric current, 
 though well known to be practicable, has never yeit been applied to mili- 
 tary or industrial operations, and, so far as the reporters are aware, iio 
 satisfactoiy experiments showing its practical applicability to these pur- 
 poses have yet been published. . ' ; 
 
 • The experiments forming the subject of this portion of the report 
 were commenced with the employment, in. this first instance, of the very 
 powerful magneto-electric machine constructed by Mr. Henley, spokeili 
 of in the introduction." 
 
 Conclusions. 
 
 "The conclusions arrived at by a careful consideration of the results 
 furnis^hed by the series, of experiments on the application of magneto- 
 electricity to the explosion of charges are as follows : 
 
 Firstly. The explosion pf asingle charge of powder by means of the 
 phosphide of copper fuze and a magneto-electric apparatus (even of the 
 smallest size generally manufactured) is absolutely certain. 
 
 Sepondly. The phosphide of copper fuze is as safe and permanent as ' 
 any' arrangement employed in the service for,,^e ignition of gunpowder 
 by the aid of friction or percussion. ^ • . 
 
 Thirdly. With the employment pf a magneto-electric apparatus simi- 
 lar to that used in the Chatham experiments, and termed Ijy, Mr. Wheat- 
 stoiie the "magnetic exploder," the ignition at one time, pf luzes varying 
 innumber ;^rpm two to twenty-five,, is, certain, provided these fu^es are 
 arranged in the branches of a divided circuit in the manner des-cribed. 
 
 To ajttain this resultit is only necessary to employ a single wire, insu- 
 lated by a coating of gutta percha or India fubber, and .simple .metaliiC 
 connexions of the apparatus anil the charge with the earth.* 
 
 Fourthly. The explosion of from. tWjelve, to, twenty-five charges may 
 be eflected in the above manner, at a distance of at least 6C0 yards from 
 the apparatus, with a rapidity which in its results will in all probability 
 iave the practical effect of a 'simultaiieou% djischarge. T.his, statement re- 
 fers only to charges on land. 
 
 ,* An uncovered' wire, raised from the ground, and Bupported'ou poles Ly insulators, 
 might also be sucoessfiilly applied. IProf. Papert Royal Eng'rs.] 
 
76, EXEBKUIENTS WITS TQEEEBOESv 
 
 Fifthly. The number of submarine charges which.can.be exploded, 
 with certainty at one time by means of the magnetic exploder, if. more 
 limited.; butif such charges are entirely or partially imbedded in sand, 
 mud, or other deaise materials, from two to ten may be fired with cer- 
 tainty... If the cbaxges are suspendedin, or immediately in contact with 
 water, only four, can be exploded at one time with certainty. This, 
 statementisbased.upon the, employment of small charges (about 8oz.), 
 and it is possible that withheavier/cbarges a larger number may be ex- 
 ploded. 
 
 By the employment of separate wireSj leading from the instrument to 
 each charge, or by adopting Vicomte du Moncel's rheotomic arrange' 
 ment (referred to in Part 1), there is little- doubt, however, that the re- 
 sults obtained with the magnetic exploder in submarine operations 
 would be quite equal to those definitely established for the ignition of 
 oharjjes on land. 
 
 Sixthly. The only important precautions to which it is necessary to at- 
 tend rigidly, in order to insure uniform success in the application of the 
 magnet, are the. proper insulation,, throughout, of the main wire and 
 br3,nch-wire8 leading from the instrument to the charges, and the tho- 
 rough protection of all connexions of wires from the access of moisture. 
 
 Seventhly. The system ot firing chai'ges, by magneto-electricity possess- 
 es important advantages over the application . of th^ voltaic battery to 
 the .purpose. 
 
 Thejtbllojving are the principal of these : — ■ 
 
 a. The magnetic exploder is. at any time ready for immediate employ- 
 ment ; it is easily transported by hand, being of small dimensions and 
 weight ; it is not liable to injury or derangement, provided the most or- 
 dinary care be applied to its. preservation. and. transport; it maybe em- 
 ployed for many years without suffering any important diminution of its 
 power ; and as all arrangements in connexion with the instrument are 
 mechanical, any injury which they may sustain can be repaired by ordi- 
 nary workmen. 
 
 6. The magnet-fuze is more certain than any fuze arrangement appli- 
 ed with the voltaic batteries. It may be preserved for a great length of 
 time in any climate, and will bear very rough treatment without chance 
 of injury; 
 
 c. The implements and materials required for carrying on operations 
 with the magnet, in addition to the instrument, the wire, and the luzes, 
 are very fewin number, inexpensive, and readily replaceable ; they occi>- 
 py but little space, and require no more care in their transport than or- 
 dinary artisans' tools. (A list of the requisites is given in the Appendix, 
 tO' which is added some account of the proximate expense of the princi- 
 pal items.) 
 
 d. All the operations necessary in the employment of the magnet (the 
 connexion of thefuzes with the instrument, their introduction into the 
 charges, and the ex-plosion of these), are of the simplest possible charac- 
 ter, and can therefore be performed by any person of the most ordinary 
 intelligence. 
 
 It can be confidently affirmed that the general certainty of the magi 
 neto-electric arrangement is decidedly greater than that of voltaic batte- 
 ries, and that the necessity of ensuring a proper insulation of wires 
 and connexions, though it may be regarded in the 'flight of a difficulty by 
 thosle accustomed to carry on operations with the voltaic current, is in 
 reality a condition which may be fulfilled readily and with, certainty by 
 the use of very simple means and precautions, 
 
EXPERIMENTS WITH TORPEDOES. 77 
 
 There is little question that ivith hattery-power of great magnitude, 
 and with the successful fulfilnient of tfie numerous indispensible condi-> 
 tions and precautions (which long experience has Sjhown to be almost a 
 matt r of chance) it is possible to Are at one time a very much larger 
 numb ir of charges than those which have been quoted as the greatest 
 task t J be accomplished with certainty by the apparatus proposed for gen- 
 eral use. 
 
 It has, however, been stated by high military authorities on these sub- 
 jects, that the instances in which it is required to fire more than from 
 twelve to twenty charges at one time are quite exceptional, and that, in- 
 deed, twelve may be considered as the greatest number of charges which 
 it may be necessary to apply in all general operations. ' 
 
 In special cases, such as the destruction of very nlassive works, where 
 it would be advantageous to apply the force of exploding gunpowder si- 
 multaneously to a very large number of different places, the employ- 
 ment of arrangements of a special character is always admissible. 
 
 The reporters are strongly of opinion that the instrument which, in 
 such instances will furnish results far surpassing in magnitude and la 
 certainty those attaine4 by the most powerful voltaic batteries hithcSrto 
 applied, is the hydro-electric apparatus of Armstrong, which, they feel 
 convinced, may be so arranged in its detail^ as to admit of ready applicor 
 tion with confidence in the most .extensive mining operations. 
 
 A considerable number of experiments would, however, still be re- 
 quired, before its. adoption in such instances could be confidently recom- 
 mended. , , . . 
 
 For all operations of a general character, however, it is considered 
 that the results obtained, up to the present time, have satisfactorily pro- 
 ved that the system of exploding charges, whether in the form of mines, 
 or for proof and experimental practice with guns, by a magneto-electric 
 current, is, in point of certainty and simplicity, superior to any other 
 which has hitherto received application, and that no impediment what- 
 ever exists to its being at once adopted in military operations." 
 
 C. Wheatstone. 
 F. A. Abel. 
 
 A PPENDIX. 
 
 * * .»* * * * * * 
 
 List of Implements, &o., kequired for operations with the 
 Magnetic Exploder. 
 
 1. Magnetic Exploder . ■ < 
 
 "The cost of a thoroughly sufficient instrument is inconsiderable, but varies naturally 
 with its size and power. 
 
 The large lover-njagnet referred to in the Beport was purchased by the War OflBce 
 for £70, but an efficient magnetic exploder will cost, according to the number of mag- 
 nets of which it is composed, from £16 upwards. 
 
 2. Insulated Wire. 
 
 In addition to the main wire, a quantity must be provided sufficient for making the va - 
 rious branch connexions. The wire which may be employed is of two kinds :— 
 
 «. Copper wire of W-wire gauge, covered with a coating of gutta-percha of J^-inch di- 
 ameter. The cost of this wire is at the rate of from £27 to £29 per mile. (Although the 
 use of a somewhat thinner wire is admissible, it is considered desirable for all general 
 purposes tn use a wire of the above diameter.) 
 
78 EXPERIMENTS WITH TORPEDOES. 
 
 6. 'Copper wire of same gauge as the last, coated with India-rubber, and provided 
 with an efiScient protective hemp covering. The diameter of this wire wnuid be abpu't ^- 
 inch, and its cost would nut exceed £25 per mile. 
 
 A wire'of tliis description is considered to possess undoubted advantages over gutta- 
 percha covered wire. The very uncertain durability of gutta-percha, when exposed to 
 the action of air and light, renders the excellent insulation, which it aiforde-to wire, as 
 long as the coating continues perfect, a matter of uncertainty after the wire has-been in 
 use for a comparatively short period. 
 
 The coatingjrequently becomes in time so rigid, ,and. almost brittle, that it is readily 
 iujured by use. and will sometimes npt bear a slight bend without cracking, Some of t^e 
 wire employed in the experiments referred to in this Report, and the coating of which 
 was originally perfect in condition, is now quite unfit for use,, the gutta-percha having 
 bucome brittle, a^d in some places pulverulent. Other pieces of wire, procured at about 
 the same time, and used with the above, are apparently still in good condition. ' 
 
 The liidia-rubber coating also appears to suffer some change after long exposure to air 
 and light. This change is, however, apparently not detrimental to its plasticity. The 
 hemp coating, with which the wire above referred to is provided. €o protect tl^e India- 
 ruboer from injury in use, will aiso in ali probability 'prevent it from suffering change 
 
 Under any circumstances, however, there is very little doubt that much greater depen-* 
 dence can be placed upon the permanent insulation of wire coated with India-rubber 
 The comparatively low temperature at whi/jh gutta-percha becomes very soft {the average 
 temperature of tropical climates being quite sufScient to produce that result) is a defect 
 which gives the India-rubber another important advantage over that substairce. 
 
 Other good insulating materials have recently been prepared, with special reference 
 to their employment in hot climates. The experience gained up to the present time with 
 respect to their durability is, however, too limited to allow of their being positively re- 
 commended lor employment. 
 
 3. The Magnet Fuzes. 
 
 The cost of the fuzes is calculated at three pence hali? penny each. 
 
 4. Copper wive of Id-gauge, for earth and other connexions. 5. Fine 
 copper binding wire [lb-gauge). 6 Oiled canvas, or other cheap water- 
 proof material. 7. Vulcanized India-rubber tubing, |-i«c/t internal diu- 
 meter. 8. Twine._ 9 Pliers, [for cutting and twisting wire.) 10. Knife 
 [common, for cutting gutta-percha &c.). 11. Box of cement (mixture of 
 beeswax and turpentine, or any other good soft cement of a similar kind.) 
 12 One or two small files [for cleaning wires, after removal of gut aper- 
 cha). 13. Wooden pickets. 14. Small pieces of thin wood for stiffenina 
 connexio.s [any wood obtained onthe spot will do.)" 
 
 [Prof. Papers Royal Eng'rs.] 
 
 Experiments at Portsmouth, Eng. 
 
 "Oa Tuesdw afternoon .May 15, 1866, an interesting torpedo experiment 
 Was made m PprtiSmouth Harbour under the superintendence of the float- 
 ing olbstruotion committee: Col. Fisher, R. A, OoL Askwith R A Cant 
 Horton, R. A., Commander Dawson, R. N., Mr. Fergusson C E and 
 Mr. Abel, chemist, were present at the trial. > • •, " 
 
 The America, target ship was selected for the experiment, and was 
 anchored inPorphester creek situate some distance from the .runnerv 
 ship Excellent, the centre of the upper portion of Portsmoulh Har- 
 bour. Twelve tojpedoes, having tlie appearance of small casks 
 were attached to the ship, each being filled with gunpowder 
 
EXPERIMENTS WITH T0RPEB6ES. 79 
 
 'The charges in each torpedo varied, there beiiis four of 601b., 
 two of 501b., two of 401b., one of 301b., two of 201b. of powder, and 
 one of 101b. of gun-cotton. Another tioi^ffeid'o was suspended from a 
 launch anchored under the bow of the old lta»get ship, which contained 
 gun cotton equal in power to 301b. of gunpowder. The ex-plosion was 
 caused by an ingenious system of magnetism; the twelve torpedoes be- 
 ing connected by galvanic wire; they were placed 21 feet apart and from 
 5 to 15 feet under the bottom of the ship. The torpedoes were fixed .-o 
 the ship's sides, and a magnetic line was attached to a battery in a boat 
 mooi'ed about 75 yfcrds distant. The signal to fire having been given the 
 torpedoes exploded with tremendoiiS force, th6 report resembliug the 
 simultatteous discharge of many heavy guns. The effect on the frigate 
 was manifest, and she wa-s nearly lifted from the water. Her timbers 
 flew in pieces around, her sides bulged, and her upper deck eventually 
 fell in. The torpedo at the bow was then fired, doing considerable' dam- 
 age. After the last explosion the committee went on board the vessel 
 to ascertain as far as possible — considering the torpedoes were placed 
 below water-mark — the damage done externally. It was found that the 
 six torpedoes placed aft of the ship's centre, and farthest from her bot- 
 tom, had done no damage. A hole 20 feet in width was blown, from the 
 ship's bottom, on the starboard bow, from the floor timbers upwards, to 
 the beams oi the main deck. The torpedo filled with gun cotton explo- 
 ded on the port bow, ripping off' the pltafcing and allowing the water to 
 enter. Internally much damage had been done, and a mass of confu- 
 sion appeared on boaird the injured vessel. Both main and lower decks 
 were driven up in rjdges ; the beams of the main and lower decks 
 were broken asunder, and the deck fastenings to the knees and side of 
 the ship ware carried away. The capstan was overturned and the sup- 
 porting columns broken. The result was, we learn, considered satisfac- 
 tory, considering the ship selected for the tjrial." 
 
 [United Service Maffaiime, June 1866.] 
 
 Austrian Experiments. 
 
 Report on the Application oe Gun-Cotton to Warlike Pdrposes. 
 
 (From the Heport of the British Association, 1863.*) 
 
 "Since the invention of gun-cotton by Professor Schonbein of Basle, 
 the thoughts of many have been directed to its application' to warlike 
 purposes. Many trials and experiments have been made, especially by 
 the French Government; but such serious difficulties' and objections pre- 
 sented themselves, that the idea seemed to be abandoned in every, country 
 but one. That country was Austria. From time to time accounts reach- 
 ed England of its partial adoption in the Austrian service — though no 
 explanation was afforded of the mode in which the difficulties had 
 been overcome, or the extent to which these attempts had been success- 
 ful. 
 
 * "This Committee Bonrfsted of J. H. Gladstone, Ph. D.,F.E. S., Prof. W.A.. Miller 
 M. D., S. B. S., and Prof. B. Franklaud, Ph. D., F, K. S., from-Seotion B;, and V.'. 
 
 Fairbairn, L L. D., P. E. S., Joseph Whitworth, F. R. S., Jamos Nasmyth, 0. E. F. B. 
 
 A. S,, J. Scott Busssll, 0. E., r. E. S., John Anderson, C.E., and;Stf W. Gi.Aiimtiong, 
 C. B., LL, D., F. R. S. from Section G." 
 
m EXPERIMENTS WITH' TORPEDOES. 
 
 This was the state of the case when the present committee was ap- 
 pointed. 
 
 Uuring the year your Committee have been put in possession of the 
 fullest information on the subject, mainly from two sources, F. A. Abel, 
 Esq., F -K. S., the chemist to the War Department, and Baron William 
 von Lenk, Major General of the Austrian Artillery, who is the inven- 
 tor of the system by which gun-cotton is made practically available for 
 warlike purposes. 
 
 Mr. Abel, by permission of the Secretary of State for War, has com- 
 municated the information given by the Austrian Government to the 
 Government of this country, and the results which he himself has arri- 
 ved at during the course uf an elaborate series of experiments. 
 
 General Von Lenk, on the invitation of your Committee, and by per- 
 missioil of the Kmperor of Austria, paid a visit to this country, with the 
 object of answering any inquiries; the Committee might make, and ex- 
 plaining his system thoroughly ; and for this purpose he brought over 
 drawings and samples from the Imperial factory.f" 
 
 I. Chemical considerations. 
 
 "Under this head are included the manufacture of the gun-cotton itself, 
 and the answers to such inquiries as those which refer to its liability, or 
 non-liability, to deterioration by keeping, the possibility of its sponta- 
 neous decomposition, and the nature and effects of the products into 
 which it is resolved on explosion. 
 
 As to the chemical nature of the material itself, Baron Lenk's gun- 
 cotton differs from the gun-cotton generally made, in its complete con- 
 version into a uniform chemical compound. It is well known to chem- 
 ists that; when cotton is treated with mixtures of strong nitric and sul- 
 phuric acids, compounds may be obtained varying considerably in com- 
 position, though they all contain the elements of the nitric acid, and are 
 all explosive. The most complete combination, or product of substitu- 
 tion, is that described by Mr. Hadow as C36H2i(9NO4)O30, which is identical 
 with that termed by the Austrian chemists Trinitrocellulose, Ci2H7(3N04) 
 Oio. This is of no use whatever for making collodion, but it is Baron 
 Lenk's gun-cotton, and he secures its production by several precautions. 
 
 Of these the most important are : — 
 
 1st. The cleansing and perfect desiccation of the cotton, as a prelimi- 
 nai-y to its immersion in the acids. 
 
 2d. The employment of the strongest acids attainable in commerce. 
 
 3d. The steeping of the cotton in a fresh stiong mixture of acids, af- 
 ter its first immersion and partial conversion into gun-cotton. 
 
 4th. The continuance of the steeping for 48 hours. 
 
 t "It would'appear that tlle British GoTcriimeut at first attcmpti'd to get at the secret 
 of the Austrian success without the aid of General Lenli. railing in tliis, tliey formally 
 applied to the Austrl m Government, which granted their request for politcal reasons, but 
 gave as little and as unsatisfactory information as possible to the British Commissioners. 
 Mr. Abel, however, from the inadequate report of theComni'issioners, and what addition- 
 al information he could gather, made some tolerably good, but not p.rfect gun-cotton. 
 Meanwhile, Geneial Lenlt, naturally anxious to have the British Government use his in 
 vention successfully, if at all, was induced to come to England, and to communicate the" 
 necessary information. This practical result was chiefly due to the exertions of Mr. Scott 
 Bussell. 
 
 General Leak's guu-cotton is patented in England and in the United States." 
 
 lOrdnancsd Armor,— HoUey.'] 
 
EXPERT MEOTs' ' Wl'f H TO'S'PKC&SS. §'1. 
 
 5th. The thorough purification of the giifi-cotton so pYoaticadj from 
 every trace of free acid. This is secured l)y its beiH^ w-ashSd in asti'Bam 
 01 water tor several weeks. Subsequentljr' a weak s jlution of pbta^H iHaV 
 he used; but this is not essential. 
 
 The prolongi3d continuance of these processes ajipears at fifst sight su- 
 perfluous, imt it is really essential ; fof each cotton fibre is a lott^ narro\v 
 tuoi, often twistfei an J eveii double! up, and the acid has flrstfo peiib- 
 trate into the very furthest depths of these tubes, and afterwards has t6 
 be snaked out ofthem. Hence the necessity of time. It seems to have 
 been mainly fl'Om want of these precautions that the gun-cotton experi- 
 mented on by the French Commission gave ifrfejaiural' and unsatisfactoyv 
 results. o o J 
 
 From the evidence befnife the Committee, it appears that this hi'gheBt 
 nitro-compound, when thoroughly free from acid, is riot liable to Some of 
 the objections which have been urged against that mixture of conlpbiiiids 
 which has been usually employed for experiments on gun-cbtton. 
 
 These advantages may be classed as follows : — 
 
 1st. It is of uniform (iomposition, and tJius the force of the gfisesgten- 
 erated on explosion may be accurately estimated. 
 
 2d. It will not ignite till raised to a teaipei-ature at least '136°C (277°F), 
 a heat which does not occur unless artificially produced by' mealns vfrhioh 
 would render gUn'-powder itself liable to ignition. 
 
 3i. It is almost absolutely freefroln ash wlreh exploded in a confined 
 space. 
 
 4th. It has a very marked superiority in stability over other forms of 
 gun-ootton. it has been kept unaltered for fifteen years, and is not lia- 
 ble to that spontaneous slow dgaomposltion which is known to render low- 
 er products worthless after a short time. Yet there are still some rea- 
 sons for suspecting that even the gun-cottoU produced at the Imperial 
 works suffers some gradual deterioration, especially when exposed to the 
 sunlight. 
 
 '* * * * * * * ^ ^ 
 
 There is one part of the process not yet alluded to, and the value of 
 which is more open to doubt, namely, the treatment of the gun-cotton 
 with a solution of silicate of potash, commonly called water-glass. Mr. 
 Abel and the Austrian chemists think lightly of it; but Baron Lenk 
 considers that the amount of silica set free on the cotton by the carbonic 
 acid of the atmosphere is really of sei-vice in retarding the combustion. 
 He adds that some of the gun-cotton made at the Austrian Imperial 
 AVorks has not been silicaied at all, and some but imperfectly ; but 
 when the process has been thoroughly performed, he finds that the gun- 
 cotton has increased permanently about 3 per cent in weight. A piece 
 of one of the samples left by the General was indeed found to contain 
 2.33 per cent, of mineral matter, consisting chiefly of silica.* 
 
 Much apprehension has been felt about the effect of the gases produced 
 by the explosion of gun-cotton. It has been stated that both nitrous 
 fumes and prussic acid are among these gases, and that the one would 
 corrode the .gun, and the other poison the artillerymen. Now, though 
 it is true that from some kinds of gun-cotton, or by some methods of de- 
 composition, one or both these gases may be produced, the results of 
 
 * TWO combustions of it, made by Dr. Gladstons, gavo roBpectively 2.27 iidrt 2,4 per 
 ces-t of ash. It was mainly insoluble silica in a st^te of very fine division; but acids dis- 
 SOlred out of if an appreciable amount of lime.'" {Ordnance <i Artaor^^Bolley.] 
 
82 EXPEEIMENTS WITH TOKPEBOES. , 
 
 the explosion of the Austrian gun-cotton, without access of air, are found 
 by Kavolyi to contain neither of thtse, but to consist of nitrogen, car- 
 bonic acid, ca-rbonic oxide, water, and a little hydrogen and light carbu- 
 retted hydrogen. These are comparatively innocuous ; and it is distinct- 
 ly in evidence that practically the gun is less injured by repeated char- 
 ges of gun-cotton than of gunpowder, and that the men in casemates 
 suffer less from its funies. The importance of this latter property in 
 a fortress, or a ship, will be at once apparent. 
 
 It seems a disadvantage of this material as compared with gunpowder 
 that it explodes at a lower temperature, possibly at 136° C. (277° F) ; 
 but against the greater liability to accident arising from this cause may 
 be set the greatly diminished risk of explosion during the process of 
 manufacture, since the gun-cotton is always immersed in liquid, except 
 in the final drying ; and that may be performed, if desirable, at the or- 
 dinary temperature of the air. Again, if it should be considered advisa- 
 ble at any time, it may be stored in water, and only dried in small quan- 
 tities when required for use. 
 
 The fact that gun-cotton is not injured by damp like gunpowder, is in- 
 deed one of its recommendations. It is not even so liable fo absorb 
 moisture from the atmosphere, two per cent, being the usual amount of 
 hygroscopic moisture found in it ; and should that quantity be increased 
 through any extraordinary, conditions of the air, the gun-cotton speedily 
 parts with its excess of moisture when the air returns ,to its ordinary 
 state of dryness." 
 
 II. Mechanical Coxsiderations. 
 
 ''At the outset of this inquiry, the mechanical members of the Com- 
 mittee found it difficult to believe that greater effects are pi-oduced by a 
 given volume of gases generated from gun-cotton than by an equal vol- 
 ume of gases generated from gunpowdtr;- nevertheless, irom the facts as 
 brought before* the Committee, such contradiction would at first sight 
 Eppear to exist. 
 
 The great waste of force in gunpowder constitutes an important dif- 
 ference between it and gun-cotton, m which there is no waste. Accord- 
 iiig to the experiments of Bunsen and 8chischkofl', the waste in gunpow- 
 der is 68 per cent, of its own weight and only 32 per' cent, is useful. 
 This 68 per cent, is not only waste in itself, but it wastes the power of 
 the remaining 32 per cent. It wastes it me<^hanicallv by using up a 
 large portion of the mechanical force of the upelui gases. The vi-aste of 
 gunpowdei- issues from the gun with much higher velocity than the pro- 
 jectile; and if it be remembered that in 100 lbs. of useful gunpowder 
 this is 68 lbs;, it will appear that a portion of the 32 lbs. of useful gun- 
 powder gas must be employed in impelling a 68-lb. shot composed of 
 the refuse of gunpowder itself. 
 
 There is yet another peculiar feature of gun-cotton : it can be explo- 
 ded in any quantity instantaneonsly. This was once considered its great 
 fault ; but It was only a fault when we were ignorant of the means to ' 
 make that velocity any thing we pleased. General Von Lenk has disco- 
 vered the means of giving gun-cotton any velocity of explosion that is 
 required by merely varying the mechanical arrangements under which 
 It IS used. Gun-cotton in his hands hfis any speed of explosion, from 
 
EXPERIMENTS WPIU TOETEDDES. 83 
 
 1 foot per second to 1 foot in one thousandth of a second, or to instanta- 
 neity. The instantaneous explosion of a large quantity of gun-cotton 
 is made use of when it is required to produce destructive effects on the 
 surrounding!; material. The slow combustion is made use of when it is 
 required to produce manaojeablo power, as in the case of gunnery. It is 
 plain, therefore, that if we can explode a large mass instantaneously, 
 we get out of the gases so exploded the greatest possible power, be- 
 cause all the gas is generated before motion commences, and this is 
 the condition ot maximum effect. It is found that the condition neces- 
 sary to produce instantaneous and complete explosion is the absolute 
 perfection bf closeness of the chamber containing the gun-eotton. The 
 reason of this is that the first ignited gases must penetrate the whole 
 mass of the cotton ; and this they do (and create complete ignition 
 throughout) only Under pressure. This pressure need not be great. For 
 example, a barrel lotii of giln-cjt;on will produce little effect and very 
 slow combustion when out of the barrel, but instantaneous and powei'- 
 ful explosion when shut up within it." 
 
 PRACTIC.1.L Applications. 
 
 "Application to destructive Explos ons. — Explosion of Shells. — Prom 
 some unexplained difference in the action of gun-cotton, there is an ex- 
 traordinary difference of result as compared with gunpowder ; namely, the 
 same shell is exploded by the same quantity of gas into more than double 
 the number of pieces. This is partly to be-accounted for by the greater ve- 
 locity of explosion when the gun-cotton is conliued very closely in very 
 small spaces. It is also a peculiarity, that the stronger the shell the 
 smaller the fragments into which it is broken. 
 
 Mining Uses. — The fact that the action, of gun-cotton is violent and 
 rapid in exact proportion to the resistance it encounters, tells us the se- 
 cret of its far higher efficacy in mining than gunpowder. The stronger 
 the rocl^ the less gun-cotton comparatively with gunpowder is necessary 
 for the effect ; so much so that, while gun-cotton is, stronger than pow- 
 der as 3 to 1 in artillery, it is stronger in the proportion of 6.274 : 1 in 
 strong and solid rock, weight for weight. It is the hollow rope form 
 which is used for blasting. Its power of splitting up the material can 
 be regulated at will. 
 
 Against the Gates of a City.— It if, a well-known fact that a "bag of 
 gun-powder nailed on the gates of a city will blow them open. In this 
 case gun-cotton would fail; a bag of gun-cotton exploded in the same 
 way is powerless. If I ounce of gun-pbvvder is exploded in scales the 
 balance is thrown down ; with an equal force of gun-cotton the scale-pan 
 is not depressed. To blow up the gates of a city, a very few pounds of 
 gun-cotton carried in the hand of a single man. will be sufficient ; only 
 he must know its nature. In a bag it is harmless ; exploded in a box it 
 will shatter the gates to atoms. 
 
 Against the Palisades of a Fortification. — A small square box contain- 
 ing 351bs, merely flung down close to them, will open a passage for 
 
84 EXPJ5KIMENTS WITH TORPEDOES. 
 
 troops. In, aa actual experiment on palisades afoot diameter and 8 feet 
 high, driven 3 feet into the ground, backed by a second row of 8 inches 
 diameter, a box of 2.5 lbs. cut a clean opening 9 feet wide (Fig. 3, Plate 
 XXXI). On this three times the weight of gunpowder produced no effect 
 whatever, except to blacken the piles. 
 
 Against Bridges.— A. strong bridge of oak (Fig. 4, PI. XXXI,)12 inch- 
 es scantling, 24 feet span, was shattered to atoms (Fig. 5, PI. XXXI,) 
 by a small box of 251bs. laid on its centre ; the bridge was not broken^ it 
 was shivered. 
 
 Under Water.— 'tvio tiers of piles 10 inches thick, in water 13 feet 
 deep, with stones between them, were blown up by a barrel of 100 
 lbs. gun-cotton placed 3 feet from the face, and 8 feet under water. It 
 made a clean sweep through a radius of 15 feet, and raised the water 200 
 feet. In Venice, a barrel of 4001bs. placed near a sloop in 10 feet water 
 at 18 feet* distance shattered it to pieces and threw the fragments to a 
 height of 400 feet. (Fig. 6, PI. XXXl.); 
 
 All experiments made by the Austi-ian Artillery Committee were con- 
 ducted on a grand scale — 36 batteries of b and 12-pounders having been 
 constructed for gun-cotton, and practised with that material. The re- 
 ports of the Commissioners are all based on trials with ordnance from 
 6-pounder8 to 48-pounders smooth-bore and rifted cannon. The trials 
 with small fire arms have been comparatively few, and are not reported 
 on. The trials for blasting and mining purposes were also made on a 
 large scale by the Imperial Engineers (^mmittee, and several reports 
 have been made on the subject. 
 
 The committee desire to put on record their conviction that the sub- 
 ject Jias neither chemically nor iiiechanically received the thorough in- 
 vestigation which it, deserves. There remain many exact measures still 
 to be made, and many important data to be obfaiined. The phenomena 
 attending. the explosion of both gun-cotton and gunpowder have to be 
 inyestigated, both as to the temperatures generated in the act of explo- 
 sion, and the nature of the compounds which result from them under 
 circumstances strictly analogous to those which cctur in artillery 
 practice ; and until tfese are accurately ascertained, it is impossible to 
 reconcile the appa,rent contradictions between the mechanical phenome- 
 na which result from the employment of gun-cotton gases and gunpow- 
 der gases, when employed to do the same kind of mechanical work." 
 
 ( Ordnance & Armor. — Holley.) 
 
 * "The.offioiaVrccord. rom which the author has copied these illustrations gtuteg this 
 distance to have been 24. feet. The local effect of gun-cotton is shown by Figs. 7 i S, 
 PI. XXXI— a 26-lb. box laid on the side of a bridge." [Ordnance <t Attiwt.'I 
 
85 
 
 STOTES 0«r TORPEnOElS. 
 
 Inventio\ and early use., 
 
 The name "Torpedo" was originally applied to a submai-ine iBngine 
 invented by Robert Fulton for the purpose of destroying ships ; and wals 
 doubtless suggested' by the similarity of its action to that of the eledtricill 
 fish of the same name. The term has however, become so gemfery in use 
 ■as to include nearly all explosive apparii'tus, for war purposes, on land 
 or sea, excepting thstt relating to ordinary fire arms, artillery and mines. 
 
 History furnishes numerous' instances of the early use of "flofiting 
 mines", "fire-ships", "petards", and "inferhdl machines", of various 
 kinds* for destroying ?hips, bridges and barricades ; but it vvas not un- 
 til the beginning of thd nineteenth century that the present form of totpe- 
 do was invented ; and it is worthy of reniaf k that the first torpedo, in- 
 vented by Fulton, in ISOSf, wais in manyrespects equal, if not Supe- 
 rior, to any which has since been tried. Numerous modifications and 
 improvements have been suggested since Fulton's time, but about the 
 only real improvements, which have been made in torpedoes, consist in 
 the application to them of electricity and detonating powder, as a means 
 of igniting the charge. Both of these agents were first employed for 
 other purposes ; and their use in this case was but "a natural result of 
 such employment. 
 
 The comparatively small amount of atteiition which has been bestowed 
 on this subject by the scientific world, may be^ attributed to several causes, 
 among which are the numerous failures which occurred in Pulton's and 
 other experiments^ ; a popular aversion to their use, excepting in cases of 
 absolute necessi'ty ; and the fact that up to the time of the late rebellion, 
 there has been but one extensive field suitable for their employment. 
 
 CLAssiriCATioN Or Torpedoes. 
 Torpedoes are nstturally divided into two general classes, according 
 
 * See account of powder vessel '^Hopo'', constructed in Antwerp, 1585, Page 24. 
 Mr. £. L. Stanton cites from history two other cases where similar appliances have 
 been used ; one liy the JDngliBh against Saint Malo, in 1693, and the other by the Mar- 
 shal de Luxembourg agaihs't the besieging army at Philip^burg, also towards tlie close 
 of the seventeenth century. 
 
 t Page 35. 
 
 X In 1810, after the pamphlet entitled "Torpedo War" was written, (See extracts pa- 
 ges .S4:, 35, &47,) Mr. Fulton obtained an appropriation of $5000 from Oongress for the 
 purpose of making experiments in New York Harbor, and commissioners were appoint- 
 ed by the Secretary of the Navy to witness and report on them. 
 
 These experiments were directed against the sloop of War "Argus", which had been 
 so fitted up, and was so skilfully defended by Com. Rodgers, that all attempts to destroy 
 her failed ; and before Mr. Fulton had time to modify his apparatus lo meet the unexpect- 
 ed difficulties thrown in his way, and satisfy Com. Kodgers and tlie commissiohers of 
 the practicability of his plans, his attention was absorbed in tlie more importatat prob- 
 lem of Steam Navigation. 
 
ft6 NOTES ON TORPEDOES. 
 
 to ike nature of the service for which they are intended, vi«': — marine 
 and land torpedoes ; and each of these classes may again be divided, ac- 
 cording to the manner of their "use, into defensive and offensive torpedoes. 
 
 As examples of land torpedoes used defensively, we have the "ground 
 shells", "electric", "Singer's", and "lanyard" torpedoes, (pages 14, 5 & 
 31); and the ordinary "fougasse," which is not essentially different, may 
 be classed among them. ' 
 
 As examples of land torpedoes used offensively, we have the "petard" 
 of the ancients, "powder-bags", "bridge torpedo", (page 33), "thun- 
 dering barrels", "camonflets", and "infernal machines", (as the "Horo- 
 , logical torpedo", ^page 16). 
 
 Araong the mM)-ine torpedoes used defensively are "Fulton's gun lock", 
 "Fretwell's percussion", "swaying boom", "turtle", "double cask:', 
 and "electric" torpedoes, (pages 35, 12, 9, 10, 30 & 1, respectively), 
 while rmirine torpedoes for offensive purposes include the "spar", "lan- 
 yard", "Wood ife Lay", "current", "horological", and "Fulton's clock- 
 work" torpedoes, (pages 7, 20, 29, 12, 16, &; 34). 
 
 Other classifiuations, depending on the nature of the exploding appara- 
 tus or the agent operating the same, might be made, but the foregoing 
 are considered sufficient for the purposes of this discussion. 
 
 ^ Land Torpedoes. 
 
 Land torpedoes are generally used against men, though they are some- 
 times used offensively against obstructions, and bridges, as in case of pe- 
 tards, powder-bags, and the bridge torpedo, already mentioned. 
 
 In Order to disable the greatest number of men with a given amount of 
 materials, and with the least number of chances for failure, which would 
 indicate the greatest possible efficiency in a system of land torpedoes, 
 they should produce the greatest number of effective fragmmts, and pro- 
 ject them, with a maximum velocity in the direction of the space which 
 must be occupied by the enemy in his advance, or in his attempt to de- 
 fend his own position. They should also fje perfectly safe to the parties 
 pknting and operating them, not only during a cessation of actual ha-?- 
 tilities, but under the excitement of a real, or expected attack. 
 
 However simple and common place these conditions may appear, they 
 are not satisfied to any considerable degree by any of the numerous sys- 
 tems which have been devised : but by reference to the drawings and de- 
 scriptions of the several land torpedoes referred to. as well as" to the, ex- 
 perience of officers who have had an opportunity of witnessing their 
 practical operation and effects, it will be seen that, at best, they are more 
 defective than almost any other apparatus for war ))urposes. 
 
 This remark applies more particularly to defensive torpedoes; and it 
 'will be observed that those for offensirc purposes are far more satisfacto- 
 ry. For example, the bridge torpedo. (Page 33), could hardly be impro- 
 ved excepting perhaps, by the substitution of gun-cotton for the powder: 
 which wil! prohalily be done when the !;un-ootton comes into more .i-eue- 
 ral use. " '^ 
 
 Referring again to defensive torpedoes, it has been found, as a rule. 
 
 Ist. That the explosion could not lip reliprt upon to take place at 
 the exact time intended. 
 
N'dTEs ON Torpedoes. 8( 
 
 2d. That when Jt did take place but little damage, excepting in the im- 
 mediate vicinity, was done to those against whom the explosion was di- 
 rected. ' 
 
 bd. That numerous accidents occurred to parties constructing, 
 planting and operating them; and, 
 
 Finally, that aside from the w,oral effects, they were nearly as danger- 
 ous to friends as foos. 
 
 With this view of the case it would appear that the use of torpedoes 
 on land as an auxilliary defence, is of questionable utility, and, if the 
 defects alluded to, arose from any insurmountable difficulty, either theo- 
 retical or practical, such would undoubtedly be the case ; but it is be- 
 lieved that they arise from the slight attention which has been given to 
 the subject by those who are competent to discover and correct them. 
 T'he want of experience on the part of those constructing and operating 
 ^;his class of torpedoes has also been a fruitful source of accidents and 
 failures. 
 
 Were the parties who planted the system of torpedoes, at Fort Fisher, 
 to be allowed a second chance, they would be likely to put the conducting 
 wires oiit of the reach of shells, the effect of which would doubtless 
 prove disastrous to an assaulting column. 
 
 . In rei^ard to the manner of exploding both land and marine torpedoes 
 electricity possesses decided advantages over all other methods, when the 
 torpedo is fixed in position. Its principal disadvantage consists in the 
 difficulty, under certain circumstances,** of determining the exact mo- 
 ment when the objects to be destroyed, or the greatest number of them 
 are within a dangerous distance of the torpedo ; but this is more than 
 counter-balanced by the perfect security agaiUst accidental explosions. . 
 It is proposed to add this advantage to that of the sensitive shells 
 (which explode on contact with the object to be destroyed) arid leave out 
 the disadvantages of both methods. 
 
 For this purpose and to attain other advantages mentioned hereafter, 
 the arrangement, shown in Fig 1, Plate XXXI, and of which the follow- 
 ing is a description, has been devised. 
 
 Case. A 1.5-inch cast iron shell, {'sss), is, for many reasons, the 
 most suitable case to contain the charge. It is strong, and will hence de- 
 velop the full force of the chargef; convenient, as two men can handle 
 onet ; cheap, since defective columbiad shells may be used ; and will fur- 
 nish a large nvmher of effective fragments. This nnmber may beincreas- 
 
 * The precise value of this moral effect cannot be ascertained ; but the knowledge, or 
 even suspicion, of the presence of torpedoes, has doubtless prevented many an attack 
 on both land and sea. 
 
 Admiral Farragut, in his report of operations in Mobile Bay, remarks, "Regular dis- 
 cipline "Will bring men to any amonht of endurance, but there is a natural fear of hid- 
 den dangers, particularly when so awfnlly destructive of human life as the torpedo which 
 requires raorp than discipline to overcome," 
 
 ** E.g. When the operator is necessarilyj stationed at considerable distance from the 
 torpedo, or where from the nature of the ground or intervening obstacles, he is unable 
 to see it. 
 
 t See Page 66. 
 
 X Another reason for proposing this siie of shell is, that it is uniform with one propo- 
 sed for marine torpedoes, .Fig. 1, Plate XXX. 
 
00 NOTES ON TOKPEDOES. 
 
 ed by casting or turning creslses in the surface of the shell, dividing it 
 into squares of about two inches on a side. 
 
 Charge. The shell should he: filled, which will require about 17 lbs. of 
 mortar powder, when the ordinary shell, 2J inches thick, is used ; and 
 25 lbs. when they are cast but two inches in thickness ; which would be 
 advatageous if special shells were made. When gun-cotton comes into 
 general use, it will doubtless bo found better to use a 13-ineh, or perhaps 
 a, smaller shell, in bpth land and marine torpedoes. 
 
 Planting. When time and materials are to be obtained, a flat stone{6 6) 
 two or three feet square, should be placed iinder the shell, and inclined 
 slightly towards the enemy, to prevent fragments from penetrating the 
 earth, and cause as many of them as possible to be projected forward 
 ^.nd sideways ; and for the same purpose, as well as to shield the 
 parties operating the torpedoes, when they are near at hand, two 
 or three tough logs, (a a a], ten or twelve inches in diameter, and six or 
 eight feet long, should be firmly planted, as shown in the drawing, on 
 the side towards the work defended. 
 
 The shells should be planted in quincunx order, their centres about 
 three feet below the surface of the earth, and from twenty to fifty feet 
 apart, according to the importance of the work. 
 
 Like other auxiliary defences, they should be placed within effective 
 musket range of the principal works ; and the opening of the excava- 
 tion, should be directed towards the ground most likely to be passed by 
 the enemy. 
 
 Tamping. Stones, bricks, pieces of timber, lumps of clay or bags. of 
 sa,nd will be found more effective projectiles, and may more easily be re- 
 moved, in case removal becomes necessary, than ordinary earth; and, in 
 covering the wires, boards, rails or straw should be first laid oventhem, to 
 prevent the insulation from being destroyed by sharp stones, or damp 
 earth, as well as to facilitate the removal or renewal of the wires. The 
 trench containing the wires should also be so directed, if practicable, as to 
 serve as a drain for the water which might collect over the shell and ex- 
 ploding apparatus. 
 
 i'^Kze. This may be constructed on the principle of Beardslee's. or 
 Abel's fuze but with the addition of another wire, making with the two 
 already used, an equilateral triangle as shown in Fig. 2 Plate XXX. 
 The first two wires are conducted, parallel to each other, to the battery', 
 while the third ends near the torpedo and is attached to the connecting 
 apparatus to be described. A spark passing from o' to //, 6' to '/. or 
 from a' to c' will ignite the charge. 
 
 OonneeHng Apparatus. This consists in any simple device by means 
 of which, the end of the short wire from the fuze is connected with the 
 surface of the shell, thus forming a circuit through the ground ; this con- 
 nection being determined by the pressure of the foot of a man or horse. 
 Fig. 1 Plate XXXI shows one device for this purpose, <■ e bein.r a small 
 spi'ing, insulated from the ground and attached to one of the lo^s, a 
 short distance above the top of the shell ; cd a small wooden standard 
 resting upon the spring and reaching to the surface of the ..-round* ■ and 
 e e being pieces of board placed over the spring, to exclude 'the earthl and 
 preserve the insulation. 
 
 '■ Two or more standardB might be used to advantaKe for the purpose of increasing the 
 ohancea of an ob.ieot coming in contact with the apparatus, or pieces of board or rails 
 laid oarele.»8ly across the upper end of the standard would tend towards tlie same result 
 
5J0TES QN I'UBPEHOKS. ?»» 
 
 Conducting Wires. Although a very slight, covering of insulating ma- 
 terial would be sufficient, especially in dry earth, it is proposed for the 
 sake of uniformity to use the same method of insulating the wires on 
 land as for the marine torpedo. Two No. 16, copper wires, each cov- 
 ered with a single coating of vulcanized rubber, and two cords of tarred 
 hemp of about the same diameter, being placed together, so that the wires 
 s'hali be opposite to each other, and closely wound with tarred hemp will 
 answer all purposes. It has been found, especially in using marine torpe- 
 does, that an unprotected coating of rubber or gutta-percha, is easily de- 
 stroyed by oysters and otherwise. 
 
 A smaller size of wire would answer where the circuit is short, limt, 
 since the resistance of the circuit is inversely proportional to the area of 
 a section of the wire, and increases direcWy with its length, it wilT be 
 found advantageous to use the above size where the distance is considler- 
 able. 
 
 A number 1(5 wire is 0".065 in diameter, and its cost, prepared as 
 above mentioned, ought not to exceed $200. per mile ; while the seven 
 strands of No. 30 wire insulated with vulcanized rubber, mentioned page 
 60, cost abbut double that amount; In any System of torpedoes explo- 
 d'ed by 'ftlefctricity, the conducting wire must form an important element, 
 and in Some cases it may be more expensive than the torpedo itself. In 
 oYde;r to economise wire it has been attempted to explode several tor- 
 pedoes by a single wire, but the numerous failures which have resulted. 
 Has placed it beyond a doubt that in alinost all cases, likely to arise, it 
 will be cheaper in the end, and far more reliable, to have a separate 
 wire for each torpedo. 
 
 Battery. The results of experiments at West Point, Chatham*, and 
 elsewhere, point to the Magneto-Electric Machine as the most effici- 
 ciont means of generating electricity for exploding mines find torpedoes. 
 
 Several different forms of machine have been constructed, the most suc- 
 cessful of which being, Wheatstone"s, Beardslee's, kti'd the lever machine, 
 mentioned on pages 18, 53, & 69. An experinlental machine is being 
 constructed by the Engineer Bureau with & view to determining; the 
 most advantageous size, form and number of magnets ; and the relative 
 size of spools and coils of insulated wire, as well as the diameter of the 
 latter, which will give the degrees of intensity and quantity, best suited 
 to the purpose of igniting powder or other combustible materials. 
 
 The manner of operating the battery, in exploding land torpedoes, 
 will be lis follows |^Keferring to Fig. 2 Plate XXX, (c), being connected 
 with the negative pole of the battery, when an object is seen approaching 
 the torpedo, put the battery in motion and connect (a) & (6) alternately 
 with the positive pole. In order to do this with facility, each of the wire- 
 ends might be connected with asmall spr ing and these springs, fingered 
 like the keys of a piano. Should the object come in contact with the 
 connecting apparatus (Fig. 1, PI. XXXI) a spark will pass from a' to </, 
 or from b^ to c', and if both of these chances fail, connect (o) with the 
 positive, and [b) with ih& negative pole of the battery, which wilL give 
 a spark a'V. Each of these chances will be as good as the single chance 
 with the ordinary arrangement; and, if we suppose one fuze in ten to 
 fail, we shall htive only about one failure in a thousand with the three 
 chances, since the three failures must occur in the same fuze. Of course 
 this estimate can only be approximately true, since some of the causes of 
 failure may affect two or more of the chances at the same time. 
 
 * Pages 63 £ 69. 
 
90 NOTES 0-N Torpedoes. 
 
 Marine Torpedoes. 
 
 Since marine torpedoes are generally directed against single objects, as 
 ships or obstructions, they should concentrate, rather than distribute the 
 force of the! explosion, and exert it in a single effort to break through 
 and sink or remove the object, as may be desired. 
 
 In addition to the difBculties mentioned as pertaining to land torpe- 
 does, several other, and more serious ones are here met with. 
 
 For examplCjSa channel filled with percussion torpedoes, or in fact any, 
 excepting thoseexploded by electricity, is as effectually blockaded against 
 our own vessels as it is against those of the enemy. 
 
 This difficulty may be partially overcome by the plan of anchoring sug- 
 gested by Fulton (page 37); or, by leaving a narrow and crooked passage 
 for our own vessels, and running the chances of the enemy's finding and 
 using it to our disadvaijtage. The _/?»■«< method might succeed, if p^fect 
 machinery could be made, in partially overcoming the difficulty, but the 
 losses to our merchant marine, which would result from closing any 
 one of our principal harbors in this manner, even for a single day, 
 while an enemy's cruisers were hovering on our coast, would be too 
 great to warrant the adoption of such a plan. The second method was 
 tried during the recent rebellion but with indifferent success. With the 
 best charts and the most skilful pilots there is still great risk from storms 
 and fogs, which may cause a vessel t« deviate from its course ; and, from 
 the displacement of the torpedoes, which may result from defective an- 
 choring or strong currents. A rebel steamer was blown up in the 
 James river, by one of their own torpedoes, and had that river been 
 navigated by merchant vessels, instead of the limited number of iron- 
 clads and flag of truce boats, there is little doubt that numerous accidents 
 of a similar nature Would have resulted. 
 
 Where torpedoes exploded by electricity have been used, this difficulty 
 was avoided, but it then became difficult to explode the torpedo at the 
 precise moment when the object was over, or dangerously near it. Even 
 where range stakes could be used, (page 17), the rise and ial! of tides, 
 displaoejnent of the torpedo, or other causes have rendered it almost im- 
 possible to determine the proper timt for the explosion to take place; and 
 supposing this time to be determined, there is but a single chance to ef- 
 fect the explosion, this chance being reduced t6 a very poor one by the 
 opposing chances of imperfect insulation, or working of the battery 
 and the rapid motion of the vessel. " ' 
 
 These defects, like those of the land torpedoes, relate chiefly to those 
 used defensively, exist from nearly the same causes, and will doubtless 
 be corrected when a sufficient amount of attention has been given to the 
 subject. 
 
 ,Not\5rithBtanding this imperfections and consequent failures of the sys- 
 tem of torpedoes used by the rebels, in the late war, the following list 
 of vessels destroyed by rirciii is a sufficient evidence of their utility • and 
 when, in addition to this, we consider the number of seaports and rivers 
 which were efiectually blockaded for three or four years by little else 
 than torpedoes, it must bo admitted that the time materials, and labor 
 bestov^ed upon them was well expended. There is but little doubt that 
 with a more perfect system of torpedoes. Port Koyal, New Orleans Mo- 
 bile, aud other southern ports would have been safe from any naval at- 
 tack which could have been made against them. 
 
NOTES ON TORPEDOEB. 
 
 91 
 
 List of armed vessels and transports destroyed by torpedoes during' the 
 late rebellion. 
 
 
 Name 
 
 Class 
 
 i 
 
 a 
 d 
 
 Where 
 
 destroyed 
 
 
 T 
 
 Cairo 
 
 Iron-clad 
 
 
 
 Yazoo river 
 
 Dec. 12 1862 
 
 2 
 
 Baron DeKalb 
 
 'T 
 
 
 
 )) 
 
 July 1863 
 
 3 
 
 Housatonic 
 
 Steamer 
 
 1240 
 
 13 
 
 Off Charleston 
 
 Feb. 17 1864 
 
 4 
 
 Bazely 
 
 Tug 
 
 
 
 Rpafioke river 
 
 Dec. 10 1864 
 
 5 
 
 Com. Jones 
 
 Steamer 
 
 542 
 
 6 
 
 James river 
 
 May 6 1864 
 
 6 
 
 Harvest Moon 
 
 )) 
 
 546 
 
 3 
 
 Georgt'n, S. C. 
 
 March 1 1865 
 
 7 
 
 Otsego 
 
 1) 
 
 974 
 
 ,10 
 
 BiOanoke river 
 
 Deo. 9 1865 
 
 8 
 
 Patapsco 
 
 Monitor 
 
 844 
 
 2 
 
 Charlesfn, S. C. 
 
 Jan. 15 1865 
 
 9 
 
 Tecumseh 
 
 n 
 
 1034 
 
 2 
 
 Mobile Bay 
 
 Aug. 5 1864 
 
 10 
 
 Althea 
 
 Steamer 
 
 72 
 
 1 
 
 Blakely river 
 
 M'rohl21865 
 
 11 
 
 Ida 
 
 T 
 
 . 104 
 
 1 
 
 )) r 
 
 Apr'l 13 " 
 
 12 
 
 Milwaukie 
 
 Iron-clad 
 
 970 
 
 4 
 
 ») 11 
 
 Mr'ch28 " 
 
 13 
 
 Narcissus 
 
 Steamer 
 
 101 
 
 2 
 
 Mobile Bay 
 
 Deo. 8 1864 
 
 14 
 
 Osage 
 
 Iron-clad 
 
 523 
 
 2 
 
 Blakely river 
 
 M'rch29 1865 
 
 15 
 
 Rodolpb 
 
 Steamer 
 
 217 
 
 6 
 
 ■ ' 
 
 Apr'l I 1865 
 
 16 
 
 Soiota 
 
 1) 
 
 507 
 
 5 
 
 Mobile Bay 
 
 Apr'l 14 1865 
 
 17 
 
 Maple Leaf 
 
 St. Tr'nspt. 
 
 
 
 St. John's river 
 
 Apr'l 1 1864 
 
 18 
 
 H'rietA.Weed 
 
 T* 11 
 
 
 
 11 11 
 
 May 9 1864 
 
 19 
 
 John Farron 
 
 H ») 
 
 blown 
 up, but 
 not de- 
 stroyed 
 
 
 James river 
 
 Sep. 1863 
 
 Aggregate tonnage 7674. 
 
 number of guns 57, 
 
(^ NOTES ON TORPEDOES. 
 
 In addition to the foregoing list fceveial tian^j oris in the teiyice of the 
 Quarter Master's Department have been more or lets injured during the 
 war. and of which no further inlormation can l,e lurnifcheO. 
 
 The destruction of the Rebel Earn Albemarle, at Plymouth, N. C, by 
 Lieut. Gushing, U. S. N., -was a remarkable instance ol the off enshe l^c 
 of marine torpedoes; and'the detliucticn ol the sleep ol vai Iltutatcn- 
 ic, mentioned in the table, though lets satislactoiy in its ittuhs* alto 
 goes to show that this mode of warfare is not impracticable. 
 
 Assuming the following prinlciples : 
 
 1st. That the torpedo shall be within its diameter of the object to be de- 
 stroyed ; 
 
 2nd. That ^he size of the torpedoes shall be as small, and their jrawfce)- 
 as la/rge as practicable ; 
 
 3d. That each ttifpedo in the system, shall be entirely independent of the 
 others, f.r.a as simple as possible in its own construction ; 
 
 4th. That the interior of the torpedo, shall be absolutely free from mois- 
 ture for an indefinite period'; 
 
 5th. That they shall be perfedlif safe U) our own vessels, and certain to 
 explode on contact with those of the enemy ; and 
 
 (5th. That their removal; by' drag ropes or otheiwibe, shall be attended 
 by the greatest possible difficulties ; — as essential in the construc- 
 tion of an efficient and economical system of torpedoes, the follow 
 ing description of a defensive marine torpedo is proposed ) 
 Case. This coiisikts of an outer, and an inner .shell, the latter being 
 
 a 15-inch, cast iron shell [s s, Fig. 1, PI. XXX ), containing the charge ; 
 
 ^ The rebel Geu. Maury, in his report of tbe defenco of Mobile, gives the following ac- 
 c6il]it of the torpedo boat which sunk the HoUsatonic ; — 
 
 "It was built of boiler iron, was about thirty-iiTe feet long, and was manned by a 
 crew of nine men, eight of whom worked the propeller by hand. The ninth steered the 
 &bat and regulated her movements below the surface of the water. She could be submer- 
 ged at pleasure to any desired depth, or'could be propelled upon the surface., In smooth, 
 Stillwater her movements were exactly controlled, and her speed was about four knots. 
 It v^as iotendtid that she should approach any Vessel lying at anchor, pass under her keel 
 and drag a floating torpedo, which would explode on striking the side or bottom of tbe 
 ship attacked. 
 
 She could remain submerged more than half an hour without inconvenience to her crew. 
 Soon-after her Arrival in Charleston, Lieut. Paynk of the Confederate Navy, with eight 
 others, voluiiteered to attack the federal fleet with her. While preparing for their expe- 
 dition the swell of a passing steamer caused the boat to sink tuddtuly, and all bands ex- 
 cept Lieut. Pavne, who at the moment was standing in the open hatchway, perished. She 
 was soon raised and again made ready tor service. Lieut. Payne again volunteered to 
 conlmabd her. While lyihg near Fort Sunipter she capsized and again sunk in deep wa- 
 ter, drowning all hands e.xcept her commander and two others. 
 
 Ueing'agaSli rilised, and prepared for action, Mr. Aunlei, one of her constructors, 
 made an experimental cruise in her ill Cooper liiver. While submerged at great depth, 
 froin some unknown cause, she became unmanagable and remained for nmny days on the 
 bottom of the river with hei crew of nine dea^ men. 
 
 A fourth time was the boat raised, and' Lieut. ]Jlxo^, of Mubile, of the twcnty-flrst 
 volunteers, with eight others, went out of Olinrleston harbor in her and attacked and 
 sunk the Federal steamer Housatmiir. 
 
 Her mission at last accomplished, she disappeared forever with her crew. Nothing is 
 linown of their fate, but it is bili<-veri tiny went down with the i m my." 
 
NOTES 0,\ TORI'tCDOES. 95 
 
 C C. Okarge. About double the service charge of the gun used, will be 
 sufficient, or an equivalent weight of gun-cotton. 
 
 D D. Sheet Iron Tube. The diameter of this tube will depend upon the 
 size of gun usod; and its length upon the depth of water. Thick sheet 
 iron should be used, to resist the shook of vessels ; and at the junction 
 of the tube with the gun it should be reinforced and made sufficiently 
 rigid to hold the gun ia a vertical position. The upper end of the tube 
 should be closed by a smooth spheri/jal ball of wood, or other light ma- 
 terial, so as to slide along the side or bottom of a vessel without catching- 
 and the whole an-angement should be made 'water-tight by calking, ce- 
 ment or solder. Chloride of calcium and compressed air may be employ- 
 ed as additional precautions against leakage^ in the manner proposed for 
 the torpedo just described. 
 
 The fuze, wires, batter;/, connecting apparatus ani mode of planting 
 may also be the same as for the other marine torpedo. 
 
 Where the bed of the channel is so soft as to allow the gun to sink in 
 and become rigid, a small platform of plank with a hole in the centre 
 for the cascable might be placed uiider the gun, which would allow it to 
 swing freely with the tide. 
 
 From the results of experiments with Jones' submarine battery, page 
 51, there can be little doubt in regard to the efficiency of the apparatus 
 just described. . ' , 
 
 It might app '.r that under certain circumstances, the gun would be 
 , dischp-i'ed while its axis was so nearly parallel to the side of the vessel 
 that ti-j shot would not penetrate the latter ; but, since a shot is always' 
 deflected towards the line of least resistance, which would be through 
 the side of the vessel, it is more than probable that the planking womd 
 be ripped off to a considerable extent, especially if a percussion 'shell 
 were used. 
 
 Eemoving Torpedoes. 
 
 Very many plans have been tried for (his purpose ; and the facility 
 with which many kinds of torpedoes have been removed or destroyed 
 has been urged as a strong argument against their utility. The ordinary 
 means adopted have been the drag line, page 9, and grappling irons. The 
 latter have been directed more especially against the conducting wires 
 of torpedoes exploded by electricity ; and for this purpose, several forms 
 of grappling irons have been devised to be fired from a mortar or howit- 
 zer, with small charges, having a line attached to haul them in by 
 after they had reached the bottom, thus allowing the vessel from which 
 the operation was conducted to remain at considerable distance.* Floating 
 or ,towing a raft drawing considerable water, or provided with verticd 
 projecting arms, over the suspected locality, is another means which has 
 been tried : and offensive torpedoes, arranged to explode on contact with 
 those to be removed, have been used for the same purpose, as well as to 
 remove sunken vessels, cribs of timber, piles and other obstructions. 
 
 These operations are generally conducted from small boats, and fog 
 or darkness is taken advantage of to insure sefireoy. 
 
 '' To guard against this, it was proposed, page 93, to run the couduc.ting wire direct- 
 i.v to the rear for a considerable distance. 
 
96 notes on torpedoes. 
 
 ..Illumination. 
 
 In order to guard against the removal of torpedoes and to prevent the 
 enemy from passing them unobserved, some means of illuminating the 
 channel in -which they are placed should be at the disposal of the parties 
 operating the torpedoes. . u i /■ 
 
 To this end, it is proposed to supply important points, as i orts Latay- 
 ette and Wadsworth, at the Narrows, or Schuyler and Willet's Point on 
 East River, New York Harbor, with caZciMm Zi^rAfe and large parabolic 
 reflectors, by means of which cones of light could be thrown over every 
 portion of space where it would be necessary to place torpedoes, and our 
 ' picket boats, keeping outside of these cones could observe the move- 
 ments of the enemy. At the siege of Fort Wagner this plan was success- 
 fully adopted, and an attempt to illuminate Cumming's Point from a 
 distance of over 3000 yards was partially. successful.* 
 
 A magnesium wire, electricity, or other means of producing an intense 
 light, would answer the same purpose, though it_ remains to be deter- 
 mined which will be t.he,most economical and efScient. 
 
 Tbiangulation. 
 
 The use of torpedoes, as well as of modern artillery, renders it of great 
 importance that some accurate means of measuring distances at sea 
 
 ■ should be employed, and numerous inventions and plans have been tried, 
 most of them being but little better than guess-work. They all depend 
 upon! the principles, of triangulation, a base and two angles being given 
 to And the other sides. Ordinarily, some dimension of the object is as- 
 .sumed as the base, and the angles at the object being considered as prac- 
 tically right-angles, the only angle to be measured is that at the observer, 
 the required distance being given on the graduated scale by which this 
 angle is measured. 
 
 The advantage of this method is its simplicity, the whole operation re- 
 quiring but a single observer ; but it is too inaccurate to be used in loca- 
 ting torpedoes, or to be, of much service in artillery practice, since it is 
 
 .impossiiale to determine the exact size of the object assumed as a base and 
 there is too great a discrepancy between the latter and the required sides 
 of the triangle. 
 
 It is thought that this method mightbe greatly improved by fir^t meas- 
 uring the angle subtended by the; object as it passes a buoy or other 
 point, at gouie distaflce previously determined, and using tliis angle and 
 distance as units of measure in determining other distances for the same 
 object. 
 
 , Thus, ^supposing the mast of a ship to subtend an angle of 10' while pas- 
 sing a light house GOOO yards from the observer, and that on a second 
 measurement, this angle is found to have increased to20', IjCor 40', 
 the corresponding distances will be- 3000, 2000, and 1500 yards respec- 
 tively. By using a delicate micrometer in measuring the angles, this 
 method would probably give very accurate results. 
 
 The height of the observer is sometimes taken as the base, and the 
 distances are determined by measuring the angles of depression of the 
 object in its various positions. 
 
 ^ -'*Kngilieer and Artillery Opt^rationB a^aiQBt Charleston." — Gillnore. 
 
NOTES ON TORPEDOES. ' i93 
 
 p,Qd the fonnev, a thin oast ivon tank (A C) of sufficient size to buoy 
 itself, the inner shell, charge, and boom (CD), to which it is at- 
 , tached. This outer shell should be as thin as practicable, and . have a 
 movable pjrtioa at the upper end to .allow the; inner shell to be placed 
 in position, on the flanges, {a a a), provided for its support. A free 
 space (xxj is left between the shells, the air in which being condensed 
 to one and a half or twj,atiuoj(j.iore3 , and a small quantity of chloride 
 of calpii^iu, in Itjmps (c e), being placed in the outer shell to absorb any 
 moisture which may find its way into this space. 
 
 We have then, these ' conditions towards keeping the powder -.dry: 
 first, a water-tight case ; secondly, if this case leaks, it will leak out- 
 wards, since the pressure of the compressed air inside, is great'~i than that 
 of the water on the outside of the shell ; thirdly, if under these circumstan- 
 ces water does get in, it will be taken up by the chloride of calcium ; and, 
 finally, this leakage may , go on until the chloride of calcium becomes 
 liquid, (as represented in the drawing,) without even coming in contact 
 with the outside of the water-tight shell containing the powder. 
 
 Charge. ' The 15-inch shell filled with mm-tar powder will answer the 
 purpose, but gun-cottoti will be found even. more advantageous here than 
 I in land torpedoes. Since the water yields in all , directions, everything 
 . depends upon velocity of action. The reduction of the size .and thick- 
 , ness of the shell, which the use of gun-cotton would admit of, would 
 also be of great importance since every cubic inch of iron must be buoy- 
 ed by displacing more than seven cubic inches of water. Should the 
 gun-cotton accidentally get wet, it might be dried, and usedagain without 
 considerable loss. 
 
 Boom. It IS proposed. to use a large wrought ironigaa-ipipe (CD) for 
 this purpose, the ends being made water-tight to give .buoyancy. 
 
 Anchor. The anchor used with tlie swaying boom torpedo (page 9), 
 being a heavy ring of oast iron, with a universal joint (^) in the cen- 
 tre connecting it with the boom, is perhaps- the. best form that .can be 
 used. By making the bottom slightly concave, as shown -in the drawing, 
 it would better adapt itself to its bed and be less liable to catch, theigirap- 
 pling irons which may be dragged over it. 
 
 Fiize. Same as that prpposed for the land torpedo. 
 Wires. The double conducting wire, described on page 89, was, also in- 
 tended for marine torpedoes. It should be led, from the fuze, through 
 a water-tight plug at a, d, and D, under the anchor and.along the bedof 
 the channel, for some distance in the' direction the enemy, would be most 
 likely to move in passing, and thence to the battery. 
 
 Connecting Apparatus. A device for this purpose is shown at (6,,Eig. 
 I, PI. XXX), and consists of a small copper cup (/;), in which alittle 
 ball, also of copper, attached to the end of the siimi insulated.wire,is sus- 
 pended, the pup being of such a size that the ball will not touch its side 
 unle.^s the torpedo in tilted consideraibly from a perpendicular. In some 
 localities, where strong currents, heavy waves, or high tides prevail, 
 it may be found nece'ssary to adopt additional means to inti-ire the con- 
 nection when a vessel comes in contact, and at the same time to avoid 
 a connection by the agencies just mentioned. This may easily be ac- 
 complished by attaching five or six rarms to the torpedo projecting up- 
 ward at such an angle as not to catch a drag rope and yet strike the bot^ 
 torn of the vessel. These arms may act simply by increasing the tilting 
 effect of the vessel : or,' they may pas* into the outer case, and becon- 
 nected directly with the .short wire, in such a way as to dispense with 
 
94 NOTES OS TOBPEDOES. 
 
 the cup and ball altogether, and form the connection by the simple con- 
 tact of the vessel ■with either of the arms. 
 
 Planting. In planting these torpedoes different lengths of pipe (for 
 booms); will be required ; andj knowing the approximate depth of wa- 
 ter, an assortment of different lengths may be prepared whieh will iur- 
 nish a boom of suitable length for each case. 
 
 The distance between the torpedoes should not be greater than 15 or 
 20 yards excepting in channels where vessels necessarily make considera- 
 ble lee-way, when it may be- increased by the amount of such lee-way, 
 made while the vessel is passing its own length, .nnd measured in the 
 direction of a line joining the torpedoes : or, very nearly, the length of the 
 ship's keel, multiplied by the sine of the angle which it makes with her 
 wake. AVhen a second, or third line of torpedoes are placed near the 
 first, they should of course be planted opposite the intervals, the latter 
 teing projected in the direction of the track, which a vessel would be most 
 likely to make in passing. 
 
 The position of each torpedo should be noted as accurately as possible, 
 as well as the height of tide at the time of planting. 
 
 Where the bed of the channel is soft mud or f and, the conducting wire 
 may be imbedded into it, by means of a kind ol suLn>arine plow ; which 
 is so constructed that, when dragged along in the desired direction by a 
 rope or pole, it cuts a furrow, pays the wire into it, and covers it at the 
 same time. 
 
 To determine the proper depth to which a torpedo should b^ submerged 
 and to secure it in that position, is a more difficult matter, especially 
 where there is considerable rise a.nd fall of tide. For exainple, a vessel 
 might ride safely over a torpedo at flood tide, while the same torpedo 
 would be out of water at the ebb.. 
 
 This would not probably occur, however, in any channel which the 
 United States would be interested in jlockading : and in most cases a 
 torpedo ten feet below mean high water, would be effective at all stages 
 of the tide. Perhaps twelve or even fifteen feetwould answer better in some 
 locations; but as an enemy would be most likely to pass at high, or at 
 least above mean tide, and as the hull of a vessel gcnerallv narrows 
 very rapidly, at ten or twelve feet below the water line, it is thought 
 that a depth of about ten feet will give the best resuj s. 
 
 Battery. See page 89. The manner of working the battery there 
 proposed is more esjiecially applicable to marine torpedoes. It should be 
 preserved from moisture by artificial heat, chloride of calcium, or 
 otherwise ; and if possible, so situated that the operator can see all the 
 torpedoes connected with it as they explode. 
 
 Marine Torpedo No. 2. 
 
 Fig. 2, PI. XXXI, represents a section of an apparatus v hicli would 
 possess many advantages in blockading a very deep channel. 
 
 A A. Howitzer, Gvn or Mm-tar. This may consist of any old unservice- 
 able ordnance with which our arsenals are tilled. The only requisites 
 are that it should not be ven-y large, nor very small, and that "it should be 
 water-tight. 
 
 B B. Projectile. A long, cylindrical shell will best answer the purpose ; 
 and its efficiency may be increased liy loading it with powder or gun-co' 
 ton and providing it with a percussion fuze. 
 
NOTES ON TORPEDOES. 97 
 
 Dv. Edwin H. Grant has tiled a caveat in the U. S. Patent Office, 
 for an invention which appears perfectly practicable, at least for Posts 
 "like Forts Hamilton or Tompkins, N. Y. Harbor, where the instruments 
 can be placed at considerable height' above the water level. It is, essen- 
 tially, a camera obscura with a graduated scale and vernier for measur- 
 ing distances on the image formed in the instrument. Of course a dif- 
 ferent scale would be required for each altitude of the instrument above 
 the water. 
 
 The most accurate method, however, is that adopted by the Danish 
 Government at Copenhagen, a detailed account of which has; been kind- 
 ly furnished the Engineer Bureau through Baron Baasloff. The follow- 
 "ing are the outlines of this plan, the details being easily supplied: 
 ■' ' At'each of the detached works forming the defences of Copenhagen, 
 is stationed an observer with a theodolite, plane table or other instrument 
 for iueasuring azimuth angles, and a telegraph operator. The works are 
 connected with each other and with a cefltral' station, from which all the 
 operations are directed, by a submarine cable. Accurate charts and other 
 facilities are provided for locating an objiect ae soon as its bearings are 
 'determined. 
 
 When an object is discovered by either of the observers, the fact is re- 
 ' i)rirted' by telegraph to the eentr&l station ; and the officer at the.latter 
 ""'tfesignates two or more stations to prepare for an observation. When the 
 "'4ib8btve'fs at these, stations report themselves ready, the word is i given 
 ""frdm'thfe central station and the results of the simultaneous observations 
 
 iiwai 
 
 reported back to the central station, and to each other. •; 
 
 '""Pfeife'djieration is rfepeiited at regular intervals ; the object being lo- 
 
 cated eateh'time upon' thecharts and the direction and rate of its motion 
 ''thus determined. ■ i ■ ■ ■ i ■,,.. 
 
 ""^'•'If either of the works opens fire, the others not in the line of fire, re- 
 
 port'the effect as they can better observe the range of the guns. 
 ' "'It i^ thought that a plan siitiilar to' this would work advantageously, 
 
 in'coiij'Unction with the system; of torpedoes and artillery employed in 
 
 the defence of our pHncipal seaports. ' • •■ 
 
 Af iinportant poi'ntsi as the Narrows, N. Y. Harbor, at least three 
 
 stsitiohs should be selected for ob3e; ")rs, not in "the same line and in 
 "*^'lain 'sight of eaeh'clther. The observer should be provided with an ac- 
 
 (iurate chart showing the location of each torpedo ; and, the torpedo and 
 
 telfej'raph! operators With their apparatus should be 'withki speaking dis- 
 "feiice.' When the distance between statioitS'iBndt great; ordinary [signals 
 
 by flag or torch might be found a good substitute for the telagra/phtj-rand 
 ^''tlleSe'as'weU'asthe illnminatog and ex!ploding apparatus should be sub- 
 ■'"f^tb the directi'rtn of the' observer. ■ '■ ' ■ ■ oi- '-• ■- ' a... 
 
 Torpedo Corps. 
 
 Whatever details may be adopted for a system of torpedoes, adequate 
 to the defence of our principal harbors, the practical working of the 
 system will not only require the employment of a large number of skil- 
 led and intelligent men as observers and operators, but an amount of or- 
 ganization, drill and practice a' least equal to that required for the prop- 
 er service of artillery. 
 
98 .NOTES ON TORl'EDOKS. 
 
 There seems to be a doubt in the minds of some, as to whether torpe- 
 does properly belong to the Land or Naval service. lieferring to the 
 nature and requirements of the diiferent classes of torpedoes, it will be 
 observed: First, that land torpedoes, both ofl'eijsive and defensive, un- 
 questionably belong to the land service ; Secondly, that marine toi-pedoes 
 when used delensively are local, while the navy is not supposed to be 
 confined to any particular locality, that they are best operated from land 
 defences, and in connection with the .other stationary apparatus descri- 
 bed ; that when not required for use, they should be stored in magazines, 
 near the place where they are to be planted, and that they require the 
 exercise of no further nautical skill or experience than is to be found in 
 the boat's crew, which almost every garrison on our seaboard can furnish; 
 or, in short, that they also naturally belong to the land service,; and 
 Thirdly, that offensive, marine torpedoes are rjccessarily operated from 
 boats, or vessels, capable of pursuing the enemy i^nd adaptiu; ihemselves 
 to his movements. They have no connection whatever wiii» the land, 
 and are essentially naval in their character. 
 
 The first three of these classes will therefore require a laud force for 
 their service, and since we have at least forty harbors of sufficient impor- 
 tance to warrant the construction of permanent defences, each harbor 
 requiring a, detachment of eight or -ten men well qualified to prepare, 
 plant and operate torpedoes, as well as to use the plane-table or theodo- 
 lite, we may estimate four hundred men as the least number that can 
 properly perform the duty. 
 
 In time of peace this force could be kept in a battalion and instructed 
 in their duties theoretically and practically ; but when their services are 
 required they can be divided into detachments and distributed along the 
 coast from Maine to Oregon, each harbor receiving a number proportion- 
 ate to its importance, and the extent of blockade required for its defence. 
 
 To this number could be added, by detail from the garrison, a suffi- 
 cient number of men to assist in the work ; and the whole placed under 
 the command of a commissioned officer. Where there are several chan- 
 nels to guard, a corresponding number of officers will be required. 
 
 This same force could operate a system of land torpedoes, should one 
 be connected with the work, and they would form a portion of the effec- 
 tive force of the Grarrison. 
 
 A suitable number of torpedoes, could be made and sent to the points 
 where they are most likely to be needed, and preserved with other ord- 
 nance stores, by the ordnance sergeant. 
 
 A chart of each harbdr should also be prepared, showing the nositions 
 the torpedoes are to occupy, and designating the stations for observers 
 and operators. 
 
 The wires, fuzes, batteries, plane-tables, and other light apparatus 
 could be kept at the depot of the battalion, and distributed with the vas\- 
 ous detachments, when they are assigned to their posts. 
 
ri.Mi *• >\ 
 
 StH'litHi oil1,2. 
 
 SectiojL (nx 
 
 
 1^ 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 holfltrff/ f/ arir/ /i hythf fty/7/r fu.srtf^trnr^.: in rn .rin. h i.s- </(//// ff/ 
 /frt/z/trtf/. ' 
 
 n: n'.' ■snialJ cypi'/' uirtw in.s-dhtircf hv f/irft<t pci'chtt ptissut. 
 
 / hr'nsc ipiiiff, (t h c.rf ft> mrmi rifnot'iftf it/tir/i tfun- iTitfr- 
 
 '/'n t/iri't'frtt moKs'hirf* /oi/tnt'r/tr/ u'nc'i iri ttt tin'fH'ifu , (i 
 
 tJu'OTJt/?! (t rJi.wh- o.n A i'vliiu7ivr.t\,/ifti/u/ ti^ffitfx' T!tc:sp r, 
 
 ctrul tlWitk- i>Ii/j iJciurt f/w it^rf . 'I7ir c\ifn,/i't:v i-ffti-riiify iitjlit 
 
 rvhncTtT'.v in rZ. till tJtf r//.vA' f. a ctnufs <ii/t nrf.s( f/w cnrj trfck 
 
 tJten Uif f^fr/A'a/'{^^'7T'ftfffi\v^ c c rcs-t nif</\- 1 ufftn/.st .sJnnifclcj 
 
 BetH'cert the nidA- ot' tln' rf/i/tr//^/\s rt/n/ f/tc sftcnOh'r'S irittnn 
 
 , ffT-f'a.serl i.v p7ufX'i/ Ihrtimn/ n'hr/i ccn// }rr.y.:-t-(/ nnff'/'/tf^/// fx 
 
Seel ion on 12. 
 
 Seotioii OIL ,^,4 . 
 
 ■A 
 
 /'/</. 'i. 
 
 Section on 5,6 
 
 Soetiou on 7, 8 . 
 
 Ti(()igitu(liiial Spi-lioii 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 CSfl-tji '>l'»r>o<i H'rih/rci l_rttn n hy nrtZ/^r k- •'yttTfi'nirtt/ irr/r aru/ 
 7lf>h.lir/(/ r/ aiir/ /t firtJii- fn-iz/f /tixtfrifrn/.\ in rn .rirl . h isc/ii/U t ciil'ii/iiiK/ 
 prttfir nc/ . I 
 
 ^y. i\'' 'tnliilJ <\y>pt'/' iilftw //?.sv/A///v/ fn-(firtlii/>rfrhii pttssi/ii/ l/irt>ui,Ji 
 f hj'dsi' iptttff, (I hf'.ci it> tttYim of triH'tf (/ tiftu-/i //i,'y mft-r- 
 
 To fifi'i'cn^t rnoKvtllfe /of/, twn/i/ u-ij-c^ in tn tiff/ tri it* , t/irt' pil.w.i 
 rhruTHj/li It disK- n.fiA ifliiiiJi'ir t'., /t/liiu/ tn//it/\' T/irsr cr/iiu/i-rs 
 arul (i/sK- slift thnni i/u- nirr '17ir fr/iiii/i'/.v rii/rriii// li</lill\- Ittithn,- 
 rtirrujir.v in rl. tin tin' itist^- n.ti ininr.w iii/m'n.vt tfie rnit nf'cl . unci 
 t?ien-tft^ endsot'rylrriricvKS- (■ C m-.yt rliirli- tu/rmi.vt xliunlilrt:-.' in ({ . 
 
 BetMven the eiidsoftJif rrtuiiifi:-! amt //if sflmiM^/vt aitlori ycuii 
 r/ivn.vfrf l.s/ttarer/ Idnillili/ if/irll f<nii/>n:ss-f,/ nritf^'lttf/l/ /mikiile/ 
 
 t\'iif/>rr.v.ytoii i.r o/jUlifiiuJ /?T f/ij^ /lol/oit' st-re't- /'. tyj/iih fuis-.fulr/ m'nr 
 i> o.scieiys 11/1,17/ r/ n/ic/ fi,r;-iv,- ttir Cfti/u/fi:v Cf . Iuiiuij i/i it. 
 Cniiipiv.-,.-,-,tic/ l/i,- ,;,lti,ii /HiiJyuip rj.t iJtcii- ivu-t.s- iir,,i , iii/ l/i, i/i,r/,/ 
 /Ji'ftjia til/'p , ct .srriny fir inU'i'ilK/ Iniyifi/r,. ti.L/^s .s/l,iii/,/,-i- r.ll.r.rn~ 
 f/nil /hi tnnif/,-ey ,y'rt'iti/i , li .stye^' Inriimi/ n-f^.s-.s-iri,/ iiif f lyo.t'C 
 . fnntp/'e.'/.M'i' /('<i ■ pai'7-i lu/ 
 
 Sheti^i a/^ /ii.sw /'nr ri.-ind Tory)o(Lt>t'K n.vi^,y ,-// V^^^\ I-'isUtT 
 
 ScCCt4' Hj/ULIJ •'■/. . 
 
 isd) . ('.B.fiiin.wtni-k- I.ftn/. 
 
 Bi-t.Biif/CfTiiKC/iif/Jiru/f. 
 
 Fori T?'isller. Jan. 23 fi.j 
 
 n 
 
 K 
 
 Set Kxploilcd 
 
 Jjiind 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 A \/ii//,/,ifi/ 
 
 W //11//////1 /■ 
 
 C ,'i'/loll/i/i /■ trill t/i.'y 
 
 1) r/lll//l/t tr/v Ji- 
 
 K Cil/J /l(il//l 
 
 O F'iUint/ U(/jf 
 
 Subjurtiiiu' 
 
 \\ Jfi/l/l/^///fV 
 
 I /•J.tyj/oi/t/ii/ /itir 
 
 K ■\/)i/ii{ ,v/j/i/i(/v 
 
 \j ■Sfy-irt / s/ittrAcl 
 
 M J^fitit l>oili>i/i 
 
 N ('\ti/i(//i(it / lithe 
 
 W 
 
PL. I 
 
 !■'(,!. I 
 
 ^ —■ 
 
 SPA Pi TO 
 
 ScaU- One 
 
 /''///. ■^. 
 
 1 
 
 riuii aiul .Soctioii of Exploding iViiingcMnonl 
 
 ,Sralc_ Hall" .Si/c 
 
 Fi(j 't. 
 
 F 
 
 Uc,. ./. 
 
 II 10 
 
 - U- 4- 
 
 4-^-l--l- 
 
 Scalc 3 iiU'hoH to One Fool. • 
 
 "' ' ■ 
 
 1-j-i-L- 
 
 Eiuinived in tlie.Hiiaincc-r-UioTtat 
 
riq. I 
 
 f -f 
 
 Fic). ■^. 
 
 SPAii r()KiM:i)() 
 
 Scale Due l''()iiill( 
 
 <s 
 
 I'liiii and Soflion ol' Kxplodiiiti iViangfiiuMil 
 
 Sc4\k'_ Half ,Si/e. 
 
 I''i(/ 't. 
 
 Fif/. .y. 
 
 10 1 8 7 T ■> ^ 
 
 Sc'iile 3 inch OH U) Diu' l'V)()l 
 
 ' 
 
 2f(. 
 
 ivcerHxarvaix 
 
PL. II, 
 
 svViWiNc; i]oo\i Tonrr.no 
 
 Side K]e\-ulioii 
 
 '! ^^M^ 
 
 
 
 l^^>mx^^y,vi-z;.M 
 
 Scale 11 ins to 1 Foot, 
 
 " ' ' t M ^ ' ' j. 
 
 
 
 
 PL.III. 
 
 ^"'^ J. 
 
 Tl HTLK TOnri^DO AM) ATTACMIMKXTS 
 
 Fuj. 2. 
 
 Y, 
 
 Seel ion iil' l''use 
 Hall' .Si/.f 
 
 
 Elevation a Sivie. 
 
 Si-rt iiiii i>n .V,15. 
 
 PL IV. 
 
 Devil C'ireiuuventor. 
 
 siii:li 
 
 C 
 
 Scab 
 
DO AM) ATTA(1IMK\TS. 
 
 jy^/fw-~j '^1 '^' ^f\-J'- 
 
 \J/ \J\J \J\^ \^ JKJ ^ ~,JKJ^.J * ..^^.:7~^JJ<J f^UJUlUJ 
 
 '^ 
 
 f) 
 
 Ki I ova I ion a Si/, i' 
 
 >»i<)sy.^./';', t ^g ^iS^^^^^^gsy^^' ';^-^^ 
 
 iventor. 
 
 PL. IV. 
 
 SIIKIJ. ronPKDo. 
 
 Vapuvy •J:\ I1)s. 
 
 ScaLe It ins to iFoot. 
 
 PL.V. 
 
 iSccl ioii on A, IV 
 
 .MAGMVrK T()liri:i)0 faxk 
 
 { l5()iU'r li-on.) 
 Capacil.v ?()()() Ib.s. 
 
 tilevalioa. 
 
 Sect ion oi" Packing ]iox 
 
 rii/ J. 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 T 
 
 A.. 
 
 St*ctii)n nn A,U 
 
 6'' 
 
 SciiU" ^'. ins I o ] l'\>ul . 
 
 Half Size . 
 
 ,?f^t^ 
 
 \^ 
 
 aBEijjsijJs; 
 
 Eiuiruvnl iji (hr Kivi/iJirr i?i'nr((ii" 
 
 Half Size. 
 
 ;u^- 
 
 ". IVi/lJ 
 
PL. VI. 
 
 riuc^rioN in)niM:i)o. 
 
 Vim- lie- a I Sccliou. 
 
 .'\ i !•. 
 
 I'ouilcr. 
 
 
 I'lwi 111 1)0 ri 
 
 rii\\'(li:r. 
 
 
 ?1l' 
 
 ^.^oV" ^'"'»-f.,.,,, 
 
 t'apai.-ilv_ lii lbs. 
 Sea U" I '■ i U.S. 1 1) I Kiio t . 
 
 PL. VII 
 
 CLHIIKXT TOIirKllO 
 
 lit pji cil V .')() lbs. 
 Stale 2 iJis. U) 1 Fool. 
 
 X'lMlicnl Section 
 
 I''/ </. J. 
 
 Sei'liDii on CD. 
 
 .Seetioii on A, 15. 
 
 V 
 
 1 r'll 
 
 4 y 
 
 'lJt 
 
 O 
 
 IH 
 
 i'l 
 
 <^ 
 
 11 >> !i // 
 
 
 fl 
 
 M:^- 
 
 PL.VIIl. 
 
 SYS I 
 
 ricj. 2. 
 
 Sjidc Vii'w 
 
 c JJ 
 
 n 
 
 tj 
 
 Front \ 
 
 f "O -c 
 
 ^ 
 
PL. VIII. 
 
 Si lie V'ii'w 
 
 a 
 
 D 
 
 c ^U_j\ 
 
 ^ 
 
 SYSTKiM 01' rr:i{('rs.si(t.\ 
 
 Seal*' 2 ins. I o 1 Vool 
 
 /■'/</. 2 
 
 l''lMll\l \ icw 
 
 _X1 n TL 
 
 ?| :| I 
 
 ■^4 
 
 U J 
 
 n 
 
 J _ J .4 
 
 rr 
 
 t? 
 
 ro) 
 
 ;o 
 
 a 
 
 PL. IX. 
 
 .Set- 1 ion on .\,li. 
 
 -Scalo 5 Size. 
 Wflic-.ll SfCtioii of tlio i''llS(.' 
 
 1^ i 
 
 P 
 
 ?-, 
 
 i't 
 
 ^^M^ 
 
 ErulTUvalin thf.ViiaiJ^crr Kurvnu 
 
PL.X. 
 
 Elevii Hon 
 
 Scale T . 
 
 u 
 
 HOROLOUK^\L TORPEDOES 
 
 Side ^:le\-rltion of Lock. 
 
 So ale 2. 
 
 End Eleva tion 
 
 \1 
 
 \ "! A 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 
 x-/ 
 
 r/' 
 
 /Vy. J. 
 
 Elevvi t ion of Lock 
 
 Section Tl iron o'h axis ol h.iiiinier und nipple. 
 
 riff.?. 
 
Lock. 
 
 L. 
 
 ^ 
 
 r 
 
 uid, nipple . 
 
 3" 
 
 V'Vy. 7. 
 
 CONNECTIOx\'S FOR EILECTRIC SUBIVI/VRINE TOIIPEDOES 
 
 /ji^ij 
 
 Ffc/ . (9. 
 
 A. 
 
 r- c p o 
 
 I^S:^^ 
 
 i?. 
 
 
 
 Section on E,F. 
 
 Section on A,B- 
 
 ConiLections al d. 
 
 Enryt'tTvpff /n f f//^ J[^ /?(///? e^^^' /J fyj(/r/ /v/pfi^^ 
 
PL.XI. 
 
 KLIX'THU' SI n iVIAHINK l()Hri:i)() 
 
 Sort ion on a , b 
 
 A'/// /. Seal*' i» 
 
 A W 
 
 
 VA.VX'VW 
 
 ScH'lion on a 
 
KLiU' rnic snn i:i{am:a\ roiiPKnoKs 
 
 /'V// o'. 
 
 F,<l 6. 
 
 J''t(/ 6'. 
 
 nijL'iupn 
 
 Scflion oil a.,b. 
 
 Fiff. ^ . 
 
PL.xii; 
 
 g-r 
 
 (mOUNI) TORPEDO. 
 
 Fie/ / 
 
 SCAIE^ONE FOURTH. 
 
 ^'- 
 
 Seel ion on a ,1). 
 
 f'<\9 -' 
 
 FHKTWELIAS PKRCUSSION TOHPE 
 
 Scale 24. 
 
 y"/y. /;. 
 
 \^--^:.f^^A^t^'- ^^i^f^^^^f^^;^ ! ^rr~>in< - : ^:.ii^s ' .^y if f ^ 
 
=tl 
 
 KLL'S rKRCUSSION TOUPEDO 
 
 Scale 24. 
 
 i 
 
 llYDHOCiKX rOHl^KDO. 
 
 4 
 
 a 
 
 St'ule i. 
 
 SoclioTi on a, b. 
 
 .<-,x1 
 
 t'cg. 0. 
 Sectibii on i-,(l 
 
 Scale 2. 
 
PL.XIM. 
 
 ARM TORPKDO 
 
 7^v>y 
 
 Vertical Section 
 Scale i 
 
 Ofjieral A ria nu'eiiient . 
 
 -/^V ^ 
 
 M 
 
 c 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■J 
 
 
 J^^'^S^'- 
 
/'V//. 7 
 Oi'iu- 1 a I ,\ 11 {I II yc'iiu> 111 
 
 -^^ 
 
 ■^ ^T '■' — 
 
 /'Vy. /. 
 
 /'V//. ^. 
 
 y-vy. 
 
 ■fl -J 
 
 AV//. ^^ 
 
 "II FLOATING TIN CAN TOHPKDOKS 
 
 itiiiiiiiil 
 
 M 
 
 FLy. <y. 
 
 Goncial Ariaai i^'eiiiont . 
 
 Scale a 
 
 O. 
 
 /'//u/ffJ \'('(/ f'/f f/fc /in^rif/t'if / )(fi-f f'f /nr/i t . 
 
 -^Jl 
 
PL. XIV. 
 
 Bl OV TORPEDO 
 
 Scale A 
 
 KNIFE TOnPE]UO 
 
 f^cale ^. 
 
 F^j.2. 
 
 
 Fn/. J. 
 
 Firy. J. 
 
 SINGERS TOHPEDO. 
 
 Scule (i. 
 
 /'Vy. :.'. 
 
 /''e^. ^. 
 
 A^fiy/u^i-r^ I'll ///!■ h'rii/iiir'i'r- Depr/rtin^nf . 
 
EHS TOIirKDO. 
 
 Fiff. 2. 
 
 FYff. 4: 
 
 in th^ Sti(^ im*f^r JJepar-tftrfvt^ . 
 
 /'Vy. J. 
 
 O' 
 
 Fi /j.(j. 
 
 St'illt' 4^ 
 
 /'Vy. 7. 
 
 1 
 
 
 B 
 
 /, _ 
 
 W 
 
 C-/' 
 
 i^V^. <y. 
 
 H 
 
 ^ 
 
 Ci\I' T. LEE'S SENSITIVE 
 
 TOHPEDO FL ZE 
 
 Sc-.ile 2 
 
 F'f/- J- 
 
 Fiy. 2. 
 
 
 CAJ»T. LEE S 
 CHEMK AL 
 
 TORPEDO FIZE 
 
 OHIGLNAL LW^NTION 
 OF TORPEDO FL^ZE 
 
PL. XV. 
 
 NORTHRTTP'S SITB:\LVR1NE BATTERY 
 
 Ft^. J. 
 
 'xiI L "' "^"O "^^^^ 
 
 c 
 
 ^.y. 4. 
 
 j I> =p c 
 
 Eiiarxival ui t)if Hiufinrt: r tl turmi 
 
PL. XVI. 
 
 mumm 
 
 LAN YAK 1) TORPEDO 
 
 Cr 
 
 />y, /. 
 
 m 
 
 V^^vifT^'^^T^A T'^ . T^> .it 
 
 /•/^ :r 
 
 ciiji> 
 
 <^ 
 
 yifl^^^m-^^^ 
 
PL. XVII. 
 
 ,.^' 
 
 
 Fjiup'iivrti in thr Eiujutrcrh'iLrta'ti 
 
 uin 
 
 - hiuJi. 
 
 powDEK vi:ssi:i. 
 
 EXrLODKl) OFF FORT FISllKli 
 
 Fr/j. m;5. 
 
 /v>/ :'. 
 
 Sprtiaii 1.2. 
 
 Sprtioii on !).U). A 
 
 t 
 
 Section (111 '.• . !• , 
 
 ? i 
 
 J 
 
 J''. I il .n is^odl Mil u ol I'lisc Koimi 
 
 i 
 
 c 
 
 PL.XVlll. 
 
 miT/FONS ( LOCKWORK 
 
 n 
 
LTOlNlS (M.OCKWOUK TORl'EDO 
 
 D 
 
 M' 
 
 ) 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 iij___._^ =, 
 
 PL. XIX. 
 
 irLTON'S CUN LOCK TOKPEDO 
 
 \V;iU-i- l.iu« 
 
PL. XX. 
 
 CAHl.K ( IJITHR 
 
 Sfillc 12 
 
 '''"J ' 
 
 Fig. 2. 
 
 Fig 3 
 
 o 
 
 PL. XXI. 
 
 SHELL TOHPEDO 
 
 LAM) ) 
 
 S c a 1 (■ fi 
 
 PL. XXII. 
 
 CAN roiiri:i)o. 
 
 S«£»le abtml I inclj It) I I'ool. 
 
 Fifi. I 
 
[ 'roHiM:i)(). 
 
 bout I inch lo I Cool 
 
 c,. I 
 
 PL. XXIII. 
 
 WOOD cS- LA^ S TOHPKDO 
 
 J^Uf, ;>. 
 
 #irfi 
 
 Kiujmvni ui thr.KniJiJurcf lluntiii 
 
PL. XXIV. 
 
 Doi iM.i: (ASK roinM:i)() 
 
 Fill. ■'). 
 
 Fill I. 
 
 Kiul i'l lc\il t HIM 
 
 lioii n i I II dma I Srcl loii 
 
 I'ind KIcvaliDii 
 
 l''i<l 't 
 
 I 
 
 ^xasssisxs. 
 
 Eniiruvtxl in th/'KiUJiJirrrlturvaii 
 
 Vox F/f/ .'» 
 
 % 
 
PL. XXV. 
 
 HAIL IIOAI) TOnrKDO 
 
 Fiif. ,V 
 
 /'',,/. .<). 
 
 Fit;. 1 
 
 Y^^^^-n' ^ ** ••■ — '■ \'-^ ' i ' -' ' 
 
 u ■ 
 
 IgJT^- 
 
 "7= ■ ''#;.,,^o^v. 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 ■"i, y f^^i.^2"^^:iri. 
 
 f 
 
 m 
 
 V ^\i!2- 
 
 '^>5.=^ 
 
 
 
 ——----: — n / 
 
 ^j»»&afet 
 
 - t4£iig;=;^?=^^P^;-'2^^^^^^^!^^;5^'?;f^=fw^s^.jgj^ij' 
 
 , :,:,/,:,C 
 
 ^ 
 
 7/;^ 
 
 
 
 
 /•' 
 
 ^^/• 
 
 2, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 TT*771 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 If 
 
 
 i 
 
 
PL. XXVI. 
 
 FUZKS FOR STAriC FLKl 1 UK rr\ \ 
 
 !«^ 
 
 K.§ 1, 
 
 v_y 
 
 Fi^. 2. 
 
 :.J 
 
 Fiy. ,i. 
 
 
 
 Fii 4. 
 
 O 
 
 — — r 
 -1 
 
 Fiii. ;>. 
 
 ■'.;-■ /■ 
 
 iiM 
 
 J 
 
 t'lg. 7. 
 
 
 Fig. 10. Noal 
 
 e I 
 
 
 1 
 
 --: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 :::;:: -® ;--;-- 
 
 
 
 
 ;---: 
 
 ; 
 
 Fi^. 12. 
 
 
 fi.-,-;^.. -..x-s-.- , ,.s 
 
 Fi^. 
 
1 uzKs FOR s ivvnc i:li:( 1 nun \' 
 
 Kit; !) Nciili 
 
 t'lil. 7. 
 
 ■asamija^ir 
 
 Kiii » Sr.iU- X 
 
 
 J—': 22 
 
 . 
 
 ,•!-.-; 
 
 '' 
 
 
 "^4 
 
 <l 
 
 
 a 
 
 d 
 
 \y- 
 
 ,;^:t, - __ 
 
 uLJdl 
 
 ■^■^^H 
 ..^t 
 
 Fii4 JO. Scale ■> 
 
 U:.-:;tv:: 
 
 Ki«. 11'. 
 
 1^ 
 
 1 
 
 
 Fi^.ll 
 
 1 
 / j 
 
 a d 
 
 / Scale i 
 
 Fi^. 13. Full Size. 
 
 i^ 
 
PL. XXVII 
 
 AUSTHIAiX Fl ZK FOII KI.KCTIMC IF^ 
 
 ^j. 
 
 :^^ 
 
 ^,1 
 
 
 '-'ki.ii^^^^ 
 
 ilU 
 
 A /''/,'/■ /.'I. 
 
 iCiWDfrro/tji 
 
 
 ( I iianrAOXr.V,' rito.iKrrioS' 
 
 o'l ^-^ 
 
 117//*; r(ixiircr<M,\/';.V':\yt:/i /.v f'/Tt// - 
 
 xAv/yio- .vrA//.-^., p 
 
 VOUflAIVn ^.«(- 
 
 f(WA 
 
 Hy/?g romi('CVOii h:sy;-v^f-'i» /.v /'irni 
 
 TiT/hwfA/, /'j/i'.ih-c'r/(hv OF hwr/'.-iiioii i ,\.\7> 
 
 l''i 11.12. 
 
 I'''.'/ ■ I- 
 
 \J 
 
•^ 
 
 f^^fi^i^pmmmm 
 
 !!???!!W^ 
 
 /''///./-'. 
 
 /'>// . / 
 
 Fl ZES 1X)H lA'NAMK^ KLEC 1 RI( I FY. 
 
 r^[y.4. 
 
 PileCL 
 
 i^l^. J. 
 
 r,;y.j. 
 
 its 
 
 Rl 
 
 /'/y. 7. 
 
 />y. /?. 
 
 Kniji'aved. in th^ ISnoinefr Deptitlrften/ . 
 
PL XXVIII a;,,,/,,,,,-,/,-, ',h,- K,u,u.,;;-I!..„ 
 
 Fia. I 
 
 
 o (J o (J o (-.1 
 
 \ 
 
 6 b 6 6 & 
 
 r~u 
 
 i c^ I ! 
 
 ; [i j; 
 
 6 o 6 6 
 
 -V 
 
 I / 
 
 ^4 Jf:''""\ 
 
 
 
 % 
 
 ■■-i 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 I 
 
 ,'l 
 
 ^ 
 
 XiiiiJi W'/iiiil' 
 
 i , ■■ 
 
 
 E^7:S^., 
 
 "i;"": 
 
 
 
 '1 
 
 
 N 
 
 
 M,u Inn,- 
 
 'l<> 
 
 ','/ ■'■ 
 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 
 // 
 
 /' -^ 
 
 Jl , A, lliincl or hinlx ,il' pislmi . It. 11 'III ii ,j s I I'm ■ nil iii-li uiij linii-cl I o riiitj) (' Ciiilri: 
 I). Cojijjii- i/isr. J' Pinion /ictiil h' h' Scdniii of riitcj. S.S Sirriws holilinij t/iinp- 
 to Ixiiifl 
 
 F,i/. /. 
 
 S.air I I,, 
 
 A, SiHoll Ca/jin < <<,,h,in,n,^.\loii,u-lo-i:L;l,;c M,irlnn<- 
 I! . h'uKj.s , r/ioir/r . ^lishfus Sr ■ 
 ir, )l', //isiiltr/ril \\(/r . 
 
 
 
 Fy .-. 
 
 Fuj. G. 
 
 M 
 
 S T'" : 
 
 
 1 
 
 j 
 
 == 
 
 
 
 
 
 '_\ 
 
 Fiij.S. 
 
 f 
 
 
 ^s' 
 
 .~-_p. 
 
 
 ; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^m 
 
Fki 
 
 I'iij. a. 
 
 M 
 
 '>■ QM-i^i^. ^.i:;j i ^-^^ij-jii .s- 
 
 .1 . .1 . 1 .1 / v (i/ roliil inn 
 M M St.ir .\l,uiiic( 
 
 S S . S . Sf>H()l s III' iii.sii I iilril ii7/r \vit/i 
 hiir III' Si>l'l liiiii in llii-ir iixi-s 
 
 + *+ I'd.siln-i- iiiilrs ol Miniiul 
 
 "/' 
 
 Xc(lil ll \c 
 
 \V . ir.ii' lll(ick-.s ll/ WihkI ill ili II I III t sli 
 rrs I si ll 1 1 II- III l/ir aii' 
 
 A A lit mil- ll I wiHiil . 
 
 S S Si CI I Sill II HI 
 
 //, //. //('/' liiiii ll . 
 
 ir. ir, iiV/v - 
 
 :j!) ' 
 
 nil I. SI lie. ]> . I) . hnufs.'SX rj i/i nairs. 
 
 A. A. iviiiiilrii Iriiiiic ll K /J) /ii/ific/- .'),') .s-iiiiiir< 
 C c/iiiriji- III s/i/irn'rii/ wnoilrn cii.sf .I'Ji.Iriiii finti y.- X '2 '^2 , 3 iliainfirt; 
 S S.S , xlii/r^ . c.v/iliiinfi/ ill I'WjA' . W'W.W'. wins on wliii-li .sliiii's im/vr, 
 
PL, XXIX 
 
 
 Ti, 
 
 J'-ttt//nwil in ///(■ /•■'riiitnrir l/m^ttii 
 
 j?y'iij>tolc 
 
 A , Ihujin of .ciiiirt/iiiiitcs ninll cciilic of c/iiinir A X 'iml 
 A y^ axes of X kY frspriltvc/ v. A If. li h.!<' distanics ^ firt.'<s'uics. 
 
 Fi<l 1. 
 
 Walir l.ui 
 
 wta 
 
/' Kl . ,7, 
 
 H ~— ^> - 
 
 \i>luiin- .VS/. 7 i\i:lu-r( 
 colli, li ni ii,j 'J'J.IIDO Ills. Ill' ixnvili-, 
 
 
 
 W'^^^' 
 
 \."..'.J^^, /Ayr;- /W:: 
 
 7/ 
 
 A , Ti , Till C ftsf 
 
 (' . [^111 II i !>/' iijtii ti on 
 
 Fui. I 
 
 -^^L^J 
 
 .1 , // , I'll! (.'iLsc. (', C'/i,iri/i- run .si si iiiij oi' t r n jiihuiiLs o/' Fim'tler. 
 I), Duipliriuiiii . I'. 1\ J'rrssnif /'islaiis /r". A' , \\'i<)injli I iron riiui 'AX 3 
 
 .^rcitoft 
 
 
 / 
 
 'uj. 2. 
 
 
 
 
 a> 
 
 
 
 /,' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 '/ 
 
 '. I 
 
 
 
 j;jM-.-- 
 
 'i-M'--':^ 
 
 ''^^^- ~ ■-■::'-:■ 
 
 ''■."''-■ ■' -A'-i 
 
 ;?V,-; 
 
 ' .-, ;" ' ■ "., '■,' '■:.--' ■.;■'■ ' ■ ' 
 
 ■'. . - ^: ' ^!\' < ' ' 
 
 ;|^ 
 
 -T<""',- 
 
 -4f;'- -- 
 
 -.:<-■'- 
 
 _^- ^ -t'^:*: ~ 
 
 '■^'■~ 
 
 :-^.-^i^---K^<^:"- 
 
 .-.V'r:---v- 
 
 '^'f 
 
 \-}'^.i-r^-<' 
 
 ,'-i;;vV!,fr^ 
 
 
 
 '•:■■■ 
 
 -^-;"j,■:-^;v^v;:^,^:;.^,;;^v>;^ 
 
 
 3^1 
 
 li 
 
 A , /> , 7V;j Case conttiininij li/ly jKiunds of jiowdcr. (' , (' , ('. Points 
 of ii^nili,},! F. P Frcssni-r l'i.-iloiis. f> . Ii . Wruarjht irrm. run, .^\" X S'.scctUni 
 
PL. XXX 
 
 ^''!J ' 
 
 Jl 
 
 A . (' . Tliiii aist Inm nisr, 
 (' Jl. W'roiiiilil li\.n tiihc . 
 J), Aiiclitir. 
 II .11 K . Liiilil I riiiiir . 
 
 h, ('ofl/HT llljl iV lllllt . 
 
 (■ , Cliloiitic lit' riilciiiiii . 
 
 il .J'arhiiiii box . 
 
 -K . Fn-e . 
 
 s s . J,') i iivh SIicTl . 
 
 It' , vv .(douhle)iiisitLali'il 
 
 wb^c . 
 
 X .X . (iir roinprcsscJ 
 
 to about two at 
 
 Tiiosptuivs 
 
 y. Tyilvcrsal jtjiid. 
 
 Scale 1 inch to I foot 
 
 h 
 
 Kiujiuwd ill tlir t'.iujiiu'crJluirxui Aluy ISGU. 
 
 I III II cry 
 
 c' + Positive fiol 
 t — Nctjiitivc 
 
 Con iiri't ti 1 1/7// o + 
 
 (<; : - 
 
 O-j 
 
 ,h) ■ 
 
 . + 1 
 
 If) . 
 
 .-) 
 
 (a) ■ 
 
 + 1 
 
 ((>) ■ 
 
 „_; 
 
 J iiivi s s/iiirJi- li .c 
 
 Thin- y-> 
 
 Scitlf haW sire 
 
 Tiilcrim' Dinjiiftr 
 
 Kxtrrior Diaiut'lct 
 

 
 
 Sill if lid 1 1' si-c 
 
 i<- 1 f n'j( 
 
 Kirtfi'inr Diuuictcl 
 
 2 
 
 7'7y.^.. 
 
 / 
 
 n ' 
 
 /"■" ■■ 
 
 ""T^ /, 
 
 
 
 -'-' 
 
 - 1_'_ 
 
 
 _?._ 
 
 k" 
 
 a 
 
 ^x 
 
 ■r_ 
 
 
 PITCH 
 
 
 Ficj.3. 
 
 (JIuss'lVilx" 
 
 ItM ,,,,■!,, -a I,.,,,, 
 
 liil.-rliM' DiniiK-ltTi"!; ' ;l5Kx.lrii<>i- Dim lie In 
 
 105' 
 
 Till Tub f 
 
 I9i inches l.n,„ 
 
 
 \b 
 
 PITCH 
 
 Vowdrr Kdx 
 
 Section of Soikct ami Slirll 
 
 N ^ 
 
 an— nwaWWf t "I II 
 
 Siti/c J iiicli (o I loot 
 
PL. XXXI 
 
 ri'()l)i)s<'(l M:u-inc 
 
 TOUrElH) 
 
 N?2. 
 
 Fuj.2 
 
 A, A . Ifim'U-tr. (itni ai 
 
 Mi)ri(ii: 
 
 Hit. /'nijfililr. 
 
 (' . I 'IllllXjC 
 
 DP shfcl h-iin lube 
 <'.(' licii ol' ('/itinticl 
 .s .s" .siirldcr i>i' wulct 
 IV If. w I It- . 
 
 Proposed Liuul Toi-prdo 
 
 "Nolc Tlir sill II <-(i.s-l tvHh < rcasis mi il\ ini/siilr. inlliiui 1 1 iidu 
 
 liuin-.s iihinil - 
 
 A. I), line III' srctiiiii . 
 
 I'. I), S'iilii/-itl ifiiiiiiiil . 
 
 II .11 .11 . Woixlrii Ijiiiiii.-i li.' A I'J" 
 
 L 
 
 Ik/i.I) Slonc L"x3'/:ff" 
 c. r Sprituj. 1/ Sliiiuliiiii . 
 S..S. n't -inch Siirll 
 f r /Hires ol lnuinl. 
 I .1 loose slniii\f. 
 w.w. eleelrie wire. 
 I I'li-e .{.siiiiie ii.s fur snh- 
 '111(11 ■inc l(iri>i-ilo.) 
 
 
 
 
 Fiij. k . 
 
 /•'nj J. ^ 
 
 
'Poi'pedo 
 
 
 .1 
 
 
 Note- '/'/'(■ sin II ciisl Willi crcttsrs on Us (nilsiJr. cull inn il inli 
 
 .sifiuni.s iihoul - ('// (( >■(</<■ 
 
 .\./>'. lini- III' srcliiiii 
 
 (',/). Xiilu/iil ijiiiiunl . 
 
 a .11 a . W'ooAcii biiinis li.'".\ I'J' 
 
 Ik f I.I). ,SI(>/u' - X 3x6' 
 c. c Sptiiiij. i{ . SIdiidavd 
 s.s. IF, -inch Shell . 
 f.r />iiccs III liiiiinl . 
 i .1 loose slone.f. 
 w.%v. el eel rie wire . 
 r I'n-e .[some us for suh- 
 -niorinr lor/ietln.) 
 
 Fiiiqinyid III till- Kiuji- l>fii( 
 
 Vui 5 
 
 C^4^^( 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 V . y ^, X ' I /\V ' V •*" *'/ J .\ 
 
 
 X.J , V. ). 
 
 V" 
 
 > 
 
 i'( 
 
 /'Vy 4 . 
 
 Ellccls ol' (am Colloii 
 
 —— ~- , rti' 
 
 '// 
 
 /■V,/ ^ 
 
 
BKARDSLEES AJTAKATUS FOiv^ KXl'llODING TORPEDOES 
 
 TESTED AT WEST I'OJN'l^ N.Y. 
 AFKIL ISGS 
 
 4rOO POUl^T) 
 
 J/n//'// I: u ,',,, ;,,! },-,,, 1.1, , , y 
 
 
 'm 
 
 W\ 
 
 ,,-,.,,,,,, ,,,.^. />•,,>>>'>',. ,n/n,u^',>, I/' I >//'>' ">,nii/N/f,>, ' n •/"" ""i2^±^2j^ nj/>.r- • • ^, ,,>•,,,, :,,. ,,,,,,,>■.,,,■,,,>,,,,,.,■,,.,,,,,,■,,,,, 
 
 -^ ^ -^ '. ^ ^r- 
 
 ' I// /il' ^^- . j'///>^j!/ij-//>,w ,•//,• ,• n I ijin M///iiuii,iin 
 
 ^Vooclcj:/ ZfJoair 
 
 -=^^ 
 
 o 
 
 o| 
 
 0/ 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 ° 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 o\ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to tie Bnoi/^fiJit 
 
 ^7 j7)her' 7rjS7i7n t er/ f'ojj/yri' Cff/ylc 
 
 T'Jajzp o^jeu ivji'e 
 
 :S.%^-Sr--0. ^X~\a 
 
 J^lz67jG t- Co/J/Jfl^ C/f /j/c 
 
 ItUill 
 
 "^'^'^ 
 
 " ~\ . )/•//. ,ii>i/i!,!i. i)i;,,in>,,!)r,nf ii,,> ! • • n- 
 
 ,,>! • •>>!> >J> }/ l/>!U/ri> V '!,> 
 
 // J //^ /.■ /J l.'j / >^ n I ,/ M,j,ii, •/!/,•!.• J I !)!> 1 },,,,),, • ,, ,^ ,•,,! : 
 
 S c ale 3 ill cIlc s 
 
)R KXri5()l)iN(; TORPEDOES 
 
 ' POIN r NY 
 
 <S65 
 
 y 
 
 400 POTTl^D SHELL. 
 
 Pie-. 1 
 
 inn/ni/ui>n "■ :.rz2Tj!rr^r r' • w "•"•>///."•>•>••>.•).• i ■• ; ^ ■ v^^>../'y.. vv . ... • ,, ■ ;/ / / ^ •// / f^; >> ; nr, uni"/ • 
 
 ,-,-// V , -// / // /.-^ -.-■,■,■// -/. .■///^,', ' ■ ■ '- ' // .'y // ' ^/ J.'/, 
 
 ,- , v/ , -, .V . ,v. ., //-■ ■/,•//>/// tun 'tin in I mil II, n >n/> ! I nn in r n i / 1 1 1 n > n n /> }j 1 1 >i>! > > i >r } rr }i •> > i > • > i > 1 1 1 j 1 1 }> m/ nr},,r, , > ni , m }, }? i in 1 1 r ^: 1 1 im • >ii m : ,,>i>i 
 
 
 :^,^J6J3;W/^ 
 
 J*/,{/L' ojjrjj ivj'j'f^ 
 
 
 TTOTTT 
 
 a 
 
 rOT2UCL 
 
 LL 
 
 jjje 
 
 .7?, ^'2 
 
 mk\ 
 
 
 j^^m^w0jm 
 
 (rj-on/jcr 
 
 1 1 oof/fjj JjJocir 
 
 J^jlzZi 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 
 \Q 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 r 
 
 o 
 
 
 /o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 J 
 
 - to tlie J/izoxjajut ) 
 
 J /• •j;!>jj/^>>;^j>i^/j !ii.'>i,.'ii^!j/;.w>;/iM i , .• 1 1 ' i ; / ^ i • / .' > I n , / / I i i > > i ' • • • • ■ ■ i ■ 
 
 
 .■ I ,,,■■■.■,,, in mini 1 1 null, ,), 1,1, , I}),,,}! I I I I ,/• ,,,,,,,,,,,1,1,, 
 
 Scale 3 inclLCS to a loot 
 
Tig-. I 
 
 Fip- '1 
 
 Kill iiirim/ii<i/l//!/////ii , l//l/lin/lf/jf/r/ti iini>i>>iiu>i,i,,,i , n i i > i , <i) } r ,> ,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,, , .; . ,, , , — r- 
 
 ■ f ' ' } ^ 'TT 
 
 777^ 
 
 ''i/i 
 
 
 :^-^2^ 
 
 ', -^.-Tt.rn.TT 
 
 (r/-or77/r7 
 
 -^ — T"^ — y— 
 
 tjHJ-tj-7r/g^G 
 
 -lyjlzit 
 
 ■ /' '^- <•■.>.. ^w.' ':/> ^ J ^ ' r>j.'> ^ ':>?'■/■.'/ f '." '. ' , ' ' ff^ 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 
 \o 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 io 
 
 o 
 
 
 /o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 to (lie J>*Tzoz/et^jt ) 
 
 . 1 ■.■/,-.■/? J J.rj ! )1/ 1 1.! /ll ;■ • , : > • I! .• I > :>> >i iiri >j} I I 'II I II , ID I ' I in n 
 
 'I i^f ' ' ' ' ' 
 
( I ;i I \- ii // / y.«- f/ //vy// 
 
 Fi- 1 
 
 GO POUND SHELL 
 
 Scale GiiicIlcs to u Fool 
 
lil'.AKDSl.EI'lS METIIOT) OF FIRINC TOm^KDOKS _Ji£i-i 
 
 SV\'>\^\VV^\VS\\S\'v\\VAV'-AV AV'\V .V\V.VV','A.'AVA\^V V.' .V.'.vy 
 
 v.-.\\\\\ \ \ 'a \\ v \ v.'a . v;a'a.sv . -^ 7::t;;?au^.:^ 
 
 ' ^U- . ii ■ ,'■/////, 
 
 ^S^^ :^^''^ ^^^:^^^'^^^^^'^^'^^^'^'^ ^^ ^'^^ 
 
 
 mr 
 
 ^-T^ sv ■^^^^^VA^>.-A.^AV.VAAA^;7^-:W?V^,W 
 
 • /// 
 
 ^■A-A^-:-:T^";^^— "^.'VA'.'A^'A^■A^'■'.^.W7^f / 
 
 m 
 
 ^■,y A.A ^A.■,^■A'.^'.-^AA^.. ^A.^.C^^r^ 
 
 -^ Asy.vy ■ ■■>"AAsAAA>'>'AAvft<«(^^.T-:r,r^ 
 
 ffy^tss Teuton 
 
 '^^'V./ nf SJirJl 
 
j«t&j se^^?!^i| 
 
 mi 
 
 ■ S- 
 
 ^''"^ 
 
 <rt:c 
 
 i0 
 
 1. c. 
 
 r'*^'^" 
 
 _$:<;■; 
 
 
 >^m'-^ 
 
 ct <£^:^^ 
 
 3 ^'jc T 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ■-T-'^- 
 
 
 :^c 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 ,_,<Kf% 
 
 
 
 
 M«& 
 
 
 ^s«i? 
 
 r.^ 
 
 _4r, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Klfe 
 
 
 'tit ceee>^; 
 
 
 ^^m^- 
 
 ^: 
 
 
 tClfflCC <;«■ • C <GrXi 
 
 
 .¥ 
 
 
 ^:_m ^