The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-03-25

Zach SIDE OF tnls Uhttcfy Wal Hrc ~ cvcry
broadside $50 lbs. OF metal. Two Of these
batteries, therefore, on the side Of 74,would
fire 5o4 lbs. of destructive heated metal, and
with much more precision ; whilst the ~
could only return 44s lbs
From the construction Of these batteries
they arc capable Of sustaining four times the
bauering "a gun ship could.
They cannot be sunk by shot, because the
buoyant power is 10 the hold, Of the sloops,
sunk in water below the effect of ball.
They could not be run under, on account
OF their great area and bouyant power.
By means Of the oars they can choose their
position, and could with great facility change
tho face Of the battery.
In case OF disaster, they cosld with case
row into sboal water 10 repair
Three OF these batteries would be an over
match for any IA gun ship.
Thirty OF them would defend the harbors of
New York against any force that could posi-
bly, be brought against them.
The vessels, and building battery capable
ofmounling i2 forty-two Founders, mannedby
200 men, would not cost more than 1900 dol.
lars, exclusive of the cannon.
They would be erected with great facility,
as the materials are ut hand and in plenty.
Batteries Of larger seize, and capable OF
mounting more guns, might be erected for
the purpose of being anchored, so ias, to annoy
vessels Of war as they enter
The weight of the battery, 400 men, l2
pieces Of cannon, 3 tons Of ammunition, &c.
will not exceed $50 tons, which the bouyancy
Of the vessels and the first floor of logs resting
on tie water, is amply sufficient to bear. tits
well known, that four men can with case move
so tons OF the water in sioop, therefore, sc
men will find no difficulty in moving $50 tons
with rapidity.
Besides the decided superiority these float
ing batteries have in close action, and heavy
bauering, 2orhedoes, by their means, could be
used with great effect
MANNER
Cast cannon balls with ring in each, take a
chain fee, long, with ring and swivel at one
end, and fasten the other end 10 the ring in the
ball.
Take rope Of about $50 yards long, and
put stopper on it, that will not pass through
the ring, at about 40 feet from the end, rcave
the rope through the ring ut the end of the
chain and divide il into two equal chains. !
Prepared Torpedo with about 500 W.T. oigun
powder in it, graviteted to sink abou, twenty
feet in the wafer, having lever projecting
from il, that communicates with ! spring in
the inside.
Attack small cord to the lever, about so
yards long.
Fire the ball with the rope rceved through
the ring, SO as IT, strike nssr the bows Of che
vessel.
1t it is found that the ball has taken effect in
the right place, attach the torpedo to the end
Of the rope on which is the stopper.
Launch the torpedo through port hole
made large enough for the purpose.
Haul in the other end OF the rope til il
strikes the stopper.
Give time for the torpedo to swing under
the vessel then pull the rope whichis attached
to the lever of the torpedo, aud it viii instant
ly explode.
The destructive eHTectsof submarine cxplo-
sion have been clearly demonstrated by the in-
genious Mr.. Fulton.
Let our harbor. be defended in the manner
here described, andth most desperate invader
viii. either be intimidated or defeated.
s In the middle Of the room. where it forms q
bite, by passing through the ring. piece OF chain
about yard long might be used, or the same length
may be covered with leather, to prevent il be-
ing broken by the velocity of the ball.