The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-04-19

~ SeaICh 'or TIC SofPeooess yet one Sntp
OF 81 guns Cannot guard one port agains,
one "a gun ship. although her first cost in
anchored torpedoes would guard at least
three ports against ten ships of "a guns. -
In this estimate it may also be stated that a
"a gun ship in commission costs the nation
one hundred thousand dollars a year; this
at five per cent. is interest to raise loan
g s~o millions to build Inc forts or bate
rics in barbet. between which the torpedoes
should be placed. While thus compare
the expense of torpedoes with that of a ship
OF 81 guns. do not mean to object to such
ships to protect our coast but when cousi.
dered for harbor defence, or aiding forts or
batteries to defend harbors, the money can
be better expended in torpedoes.
Inthe report OF the committee it is also
Admittedthat ! cut a ID inch cable at the
depth of six feet under water, (it 4uas in
fact isvetUe feet under the suater. In this
experiment it is true was FIVE or six mi
nutes within pistol shot of the vessel; the
reason is, il was only the fourth time ca
BILE cutting machine was ever tried; with
SO little experience did not attempt to cut
at greater distance the object at the
time being to prove that cable could be
hooked and cut without injuring the ma
Chine. New invented instruments must be
nnskilfully used for a time, but with the
practice of only one month and one good
boats crew, will undertake to cut the ca
BILE of ship at aay given depth of water
without approaching nearer TO her than
eight hundred yards. will also undertake
60 place myself at the distance of 800 yards
from ship having an unguarded cable, &
at that distance will put an improved ca
BILE cutting machine in the water; will there
abandon it, and it shall go to the cable, cut
It off and set the ship adrift, without any
further aid on my part than placing it in the
qyater Such is the unforeseen and meal
culable results of mechanical combinations.
1t may be said if one cable be cut and ano-
ther lost, the enemy could put out a second.
third, fourth or fifth anchor and cable; but
as provident government would not under
take to defend a port with one cannon, so
there should be in the magazine Is or 90
machines for cutting cables. and there should
be marine militia practised in the use of
them. In such case an enemy could not af-
ford To exchange an anchor and cable, worth
five thousand dollars, against three ounces
of gun-powder, and at the same time run
the risk of heing driven on shore in calm
or by a lee tide; hence in our calculations
on harbor defence this instrument alone will
always be an embarrassing consideration
tor an enemy.
1t must be admitted that the whole of the
experiments at New York were badly ex-
ecuted; but they could not be otherwise
Z had not man practised, nor am expe.
flenCed IN the use OF my own machines. l
consequently was necessitated to explain
my theory by such imperfect means as I
had in my power; yet under all these dis
advantages, have to my satisfaction gain
ed much useful experience, and evidently
convinced some of the committee of the
great Importance OF persevering, and par
ticularly with view to harbor defence. By
the experiments I have discovered much of
the strength and resources of my opponents
and am satisfied l can defeat every OBJ
etruction which has hitherto been presen-
ted; this hope TO prove after some prac-
tice. But having witnessed the activity and
resources of mind which commodore Rod
gers and captain Chauncey possess, I look
forward to contend with new and difficult
combinations which they may produce for
defence: in this manner it is probable we
shall discover the principal means of de-
fence against torpedoes. and modes of at
tack with them, until, like the attack and
defence of fortified places, the measures
60 be put sued on each side in all cases
will become familiar. and fair calculate
On may be made on the mode of attacking a
ship.
But, sir, to do this, tits indispensable that
] should have 20 or so men under my COM
mand to be practised to the use of my en-
KlDeS III my own way wen dS Runnery is
understood, no one can hope that young re-
cruts should fire cannon with skill and
effect until they have some months practice.
It is therefore demanding of me to perform
a miracle, to apply torpedoes to advantage,
break through nets, harpoon ships and cut
cables with an outfit of one thousand dolls.
and not one man practised to assist me-
Compare my situation with that of my op-
ponents /; men of talents and sound nautical
Knowledge. working on their own element,
the commodore commanding more than 400
snen in ship of 81 guns, which ship with
all her various apparatus as fitted for eff
cient service. is All engine produced by the
combined talents OF some thousands of in.
senious men, who have directed their at.
tention to the improvement of vessels of
war since the invention of un-powder-
chus the commodore, added to his own ia
tents, has the advantage of the experience
end talents of all nautical men who have
lived before him, yet he would not be so
1mprudent as to face an enemy of equal
force, il his men were raw recruits unprac-
tised to the guns or working of the ship
and it is to familiarise his men to their duty
in each department that he is in state Of
constant practice. A succession of exReri-
ments on mis- men, which costs the nation
one hundred thousand dollars year, which
experiments, when followed from one 10
ten or twenty years at the expence Of from
one hundred thousand to two millions of
dcliars is to enable him IN do M RI, oro 81 = :