The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-07-27

For TIE IL. l. REPUBLIC.1.w
REMARKS ON TORPEDOEs AND SUBMARINE
= NAVIGATION.--.NcL L.


NAVIGATION.-M. L.
THE Torpedo has, for several years past,
excited considerable share of attention. At
the present junc,ure, it has become a subject
oil moro than ordinary study, and every Day
seems to be bringing il nearer to perfection.
Various opinions have been expressed respec-
ting its utility, but those who have had oppot-
tunitics of becoming acquainted with its prin-
Giples, concur in deeming il powerful means
of annoying the ships of the enemy lowering
round our shores. That il is fully adequate
TO destroying ships was proved at New-York,
by experiment, on the Goth of July, 1907,
when largo brig was blown in pieces in a
trial to evincc the feasibility Of this machine.
IT is matter Of much regret that the attempts
TO destroythe Plantagenet and La Hoguc un-
fortunately failed. But this failure was not in
consequence of any imperfcction in tho ma
turc Of its principles, or in its construction,
but resulted solely from inexperience and
want of skill in managing it. The dreadful
and sublime effect produced in the water by
tho explosion plainly exhibits IFS power--a
power which must have torn these ships into
shivcrs, had tho machine but been fairly un-
der them. Such, however, has been the a.
1arm excitedby these two unsuccessful essays,
that The enemy constantly feels himself in
state Of insecurity, andis continually employ
ing the most eligible means in his power Tor
guarding against this terrific engine OF des-
truction. Indeed the utmost dread prevails
on board tho British ships while lying near
the coast, and they are necessarily changing
their place of anchorage in order 10 frustrate
the designs Of those, who, armed wita Tor
pcdocs, are watching thsir every motion.
That gun powder could be made 10 explode
beneath The water with destructive effect is
not an idea Of very recent date. The fact
was proved more than eighty years ago, by
that iliustrioUs teacher of experimental phi.
losophy, DEsAGULIERs. Ho actually sue
ccedcd in forcing hole through the bottom
Of boat, while afloat in the river Thames,
by the bursting of his yrater rocker. No ap-
plication Of utility seems to have been made
Of this fact ill the commence OF the rs-
volutionory war. Mr.. Bushnell, a distin-
guished mechanical genius of Saybrook, in
Connecticut, ,endeavorcd TO turn the discovery
to the advantage Of his country, by attempt
ing to destroy some Of the British vessels
which approached our shores. He invented
machine denominated the american Turtle,
and ingeniously constructed upon a plan en-
treIy novel, by means Of which he could de-
sccnd beneath the water, and steer in any di-
rection. To this was attached magazine OF
powders which was intended 10 be fastened TO
the bottom Of ship. This powder was to
take FIRE by means Of gun-iock, which was
sprungAby certain clock work, after remain
ing there any dc,ermina,c length Of time.
But from certain accidents, not initiating a
gains, its philosophical principles, it did not
succeed SO fully al could be wished. He was
unaeA ~ xlsa t,ps.
vessels and put the enemy into most terri
bic fright.
The next that appears 10 have peid any par
ucular attention to submarine navigation and
submarine explosion, was Robert Fulton, ESQ.,
This ingenious mechanic, has been employ
cd, tor some considerable time, in inventions
OF great utility. His sysfem Of canal naviya-
fio1, his mill for Saving and fohshing marble,
MS machine for making rones, and his sfeom-
boar will immortalize his name, as one OF the
bcnefactors OF mankind. But these arc not
the only things which have occupied his in
qoisitivc mind. His ooas to navigate under
rvafer, and his Torfedo, or machine for ex.
plosion under water, will long distinguish his
useful labors, and add lustrs TO his memory.
These, however, will be more particularly
noticed in the snbsequent numbers.
No H.
A boat 10 navigate beneath the water will,
TO many, perhaps, seem wholly imprac,ics
BILE. So did once the NOTION of ascending int
the eir. This, however, was proved a mat.
ter Of ease by aspiring eronauts and now.to
soar even beyond where the Eagle dare. to
wing his flight, is deemed neither Difficult
nor wonderful That boa, can be so COZ
structed as to navigate under water in any di-
rection and at any depth, was experimen,slly
demonstrated by the iIlustrious Bushnell. A
boat Of this kind was actually formed by him
during the American war, and which has rem
dered his name conspicuous in the history OF
mechanics. Mr.. Fulton, OF New-York, ha.
since constructed one of similar ns,ur,
In this machine hc end three persons con-