The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-04-09
mo 10.


agree on Il mode Of exhibiting the experi.
ments proposedby Mr. Fulton, explanatory
OF ms system of TORPEDO WAR, in such
manner as would enable the commissioners
{" report their opinion If the meri of said
system, so lar as satisfactory opinions could
he formed from observations of said experi.
mems
Al this meeting, Mr.. Fulton exhibited a
iMPeoo LOCK, also model ola Torpedo.
winch he proposed to launch under the bot.
tom OF a ship, by means of spar, proiec ed
from the bow of boat or vessel for winch
purpose, he requested that the frigae Pre-
sident might be re moved from the North
into the East river. To this proposal OF
Mi Fulton. commodore Rodgers REPLIED
thata removal OF the frigate President would
be attended with Inconvenience: but. thar
the proposed experiments might be made
either on the frigate in the Nor,h river, or
on the orig Argus. then as anchor nea the
navy yarc, in the East river. 1t was then
agreed that the experiments should be made
on the brig Argus, with blank Torpedoes
and that such defence should be made a.
ga'nst them as vessel of war could exert.
without having recourse to her guns or The,
employ ment OF active force.
Owing to unfavorable weather and Other.
causes, the commissioners could not convene
at the navy yard before the Goth of Sep
TENDER; at Which time they viewed the
brig Argus. prepared for defence against
the application of Torpedoes, in the mode
which had been previously suggested by Mr..
Fulton. This defence consisted of a net.
suspended from the bow Of the brig, and
reaching to the bottom also, of spars lash.
ed together and suspended from the DOW
spirit and yards, IN such manner az would
prevent boats from coming into contact with
the brig. The studding sail pooms were
moreover armed with kentlidge and heavy
shot' and provided with grapnels, for the
purpose OF sinking or taking possession OF a.
ny boat or Torpedo which nigh, come
within reach. l. was stated by the office IS
OF the Navy. that, these means of defence
were such as are usually possessed by sbips
! OF war, and that after he prenara,ions
were made, all the defences couId be dis.
! posed IN proper order or replaced in a SHIN
IN the term OF fifteen minutes After near
ing the observations of com motlore r oapersa
captain Chauncey and Lieu ena I law.
renee commander OF the '.rgus Mr.. Full.
ton candidly admitted that on The sunnos;,;-
on that the net, before the brig reaches
the bottom, he was then unprepared for ar,
attack, by any means which he had at tbat
| tin e provided.
he commissioners viewed at the Naytt
Iara specimens OF diff rent Torpedoes. md
| In particular anchor torhedoes win ,he
means proposed OF securing Them under
| water IN a position Capable Of ANNOYING
shiPs "h,ie pa sng over them: They also
inspected machine invented fer ths r,T
pose OF cutting he cables OF sh;ns Will ~
| ding at anchor the effect OF which mach;ne
| will be hereafter described.
AT TINS meeting experiments were ma5e
OF nrihg harPoun, 10 which a small rona
had been attached: the attempts 20 nl.ca
the harpoon in the target did moi succeeG ~,
a greAter distance than ffl cen fee,. ana a.
tha' dis' ance the harpoon struck firmly. m,t.
nbliqeeiy. 'u1
| On the 18th of September, the commits.
s'ohers me' az the Navy Yard; when, to
demons rate the effect which the eups of !,
ship OF war would have upon a boar of tha
SIZE and description of that which Mr.. FIJI
Ton mad prepared tor exhibiting his expey.
lrhneh's, captain Chauncey caused an Ola
| 1oat TO be moored at about ninety yar,I.
distance, iii which three boards were nIacea
| uprights represt nting the size of men. AZ
eniS oDJect twenty four FOUNDER, loadet6
WIN .Canhister and grape Shot, was dis
charged the effect was, that seventy-,hree
shol PASSED through the boat eigh, cen snor
pe"etra'eo through the first board, nine
| nrough the second, and five through the.
third. VIC
| AT this meeting, an attempt was made r..
Gu. Cdoie under water, which failed -
owing, as is suggested by Mr.. FuSon. ia ,be
Iimperfection of the machinery. II was,hnS
determined topostpone fur, her exner,menr.
iii the 29th OF October. On the lst of No
vember, the commissioners again convene,n
at the Maynard, when Mr.. Fulton snc
ceeded IN cutting fourteen inch cable q
onut SIX teet under wafer, without "a
Juring MS machinery. The operation ,cas
pc, formed from an open b. ar which 80
NAMED about five minutes within nis,on
shot ofthe vessel AT anchor.
| he commissioners examined an dncLn,.
fothedo in the East river. which had sa,a
raj days remained under water !, w..
viewed when ihe ebb tide had lust compen
Geo. and when the current was feeb @ The
torpedo at that time appeared to preserves
nearly vertical position, as intended bv
Mr.. Fulton but no experiment was made
OF the effect of the machinery upon the no,
tom Of vessel
At this and other meetings of ,ha 1or,-
inlSsloDers, various models were exh;h;,ea
by var. Fulton of machines by means SO
which 1t was supposed by him the detenSive
measures OF he officers OF he ns.v rniahr
be counteracied and defeated in opposi 2 n
60 "nich they suggested counter proiects
The duty Ut the commissioners being ~
YER conh'ed TO AN observation Of ero,yi.
menfs, 1t ~ deemed unnecessary In 49,,
OH this branch OF the subject.
Oliver Woicot,
JChu KrnH