Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-02-06
MISCELLANY.

A TRUE sToRY-BY PROFESSOR PARK

TRUE sToRY-BY PROFESSOR PARK.
In the time of the last war with Great Bril-
tain, when the eXertions of the immortal Full
ton and others were directed to the improve
mcnt Of scientific naval defence, and when
the fleets of the enemy lowered on our sea-
board, bombarding our cities, plundering our
vessels, and destroying our commerce, no.
vel and formidable plan was adopted to de-
stroy their ships, and drive them from our
coast. We refer to the torpedo and other
machines for submarine navigation, by means
Of which the largest man of war might be
blown to atoms, by magazine deposited UNI
der its bottom, while not the slightest trace
of an enemy should be visible However in
human or unfair might be this mode of war
fare in itself, still it was but just retaliation
for the barbarities committed by the British
and their savage allies in that bloody war;
And although, owing to its imperlection and
secrecy, our country at that time received
but little benefit from it, yet the experiments
then made prove that, with longer practice
and additional Improvements, it might be
made powerful means of scaboard defence.
The most approved invention for this pur-
pose, was the torpedo, $50 called from its re-
semblance TO the fish of that nancy the sub
marine vessel of Mr.. Bushnell. 1t consisted
of a concave frame, resembling two boats, one
inverted and covering the other, so that the
upper and under surfaces somewhatrcsembled
the shell of the tortoise. 1t was large enough
to allow man to sit upright in the cavity,
and contain air to support life considerable
time; and when properly closed was entirely
waterproof. 1t was propelled by means Of
spiral oars turning on axles, passed in the ca
witty within reach of the operator, and acted
upon the water upon the principle of the end
less screw. One OF these was placed at each
end of the machine, to propel it backward or
forw ard, and on the top and bottom to raise or
lower it in the water. Four keeis, uniting at
each end. gave it a constant direction; and it
was loaded with weight sufficient to keep it
just benath the surface of the water; but
part of this load might be disengaged from
the outside to raise the torpedo speedily to the
surface. Attached to one end, was a conical
magazine, sufficient to blow up the heaviest
ship, which could be fired at pleasure by the
person in the torpedo, by means of the con-
Meeting machinery. When it was intended
to blow up ship by means Of this machine,
it was first towed as near as could be done
with safety, to the devoted vessel, when the
operator was enclosed in its gloomy cavity,
provided with lights and compass by which
he directed his course, having first calculated
the direction and distance of the ship, and as
certained the currents or tides and probable
speed of the torpedo. The operator might at
pleasure rise to the surface and look out
through small window, or take in air if ne
cessary, by means of tubes prepared for the
purpose.-Having arrived directly under the
ship, he would then fasten the magazine to
its bottom by means of a screw at the yertex
of the conical chamber of powder. This
screw was made so sharp, that by slight
exertlon it would pierce the copper bottom of
the ship and penetrate deeply into the timber.
The operator would then disenpage the ma
gazlne from the torpedo, set the machine in
motion, which would produce an explosion in
given time, and make his escape as soon as
possible beyond the reach ofits effects. Then.
when all was JOY and tranquility on the ships
deck, while officers and men were feastinp and
carousing, perhaps imprecating themselves or
profaning the name of their Maker, the specta-
tor at a distance starts at the vivid flash. the
tremendous report, and sees the mighty YES
sci blown to the sky, filling the air with a
thousand fragments, cleaving the ocean to
the bottom, then sinking in the deep, with all
whom 1t contained, to rise no more forever.
Such was the warfare which terrified the
stoutest heart, and would soon have driven
the whole navy of Great Britain away from
the United States.
1t was near the close of the wear 1914. that
a British man-of-war was living at the month
Of New London harbor, in Connecticut. cans
ing great annoyance to the commerce of that
city and the troops in that vicinity. Mr..
Bushnel's machine had been invented and
some experiments tried with it at New y ork.
which argued favorablyt to its success. A Sc
cret fund was raised at New London, and
large sum privately offered to the person who
would blow mp this ship by means of the tor
Pedo. At length brave, patriotic and ambi-
tious young man offered to attempt its execu-
ton his name was Plowden Halsev. tho
youngest son of large and honorable family.
most Of whom had sunk to the grave by her,
editary consumption, and left his mother near.
ly childless. Hazardous as was the enter
prise, it was with much difficulty that the
youth could obtain permission of his parents
to venture his life, so dear to them, till at
length that patriotic mother with tears in her
eyes, devoted her darling son for the GOOD of
her country. Immediately and secretly the
necessary preparations were made for his La-
zardous undertaking, and the most confident
hopes otsuccess were entertained bv all who
had any knowledge of the project. Bnt there
was one who felt more deeply interested ,i' in
the success Of this scheme than the ventn.