Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-11-04
From the N. Y. Tribune 18th inst.
COLTS SUBMARINE EXPLOSION.

| From the N. !. Tribune, lyin INST.
lCOLT'S SUBMARINE EXPLOSION.
We have rarely seen more imposing spec
tacles than that exhibited yesterday at the
Battery. The third experiment of Mr.. Colt
with his Submarine Battery was advertised
to be performed in connection with tho Elk.
hibtion ofthe American Institute, at o.
clock, and before 3, thousands we're wend-
ing their way toward Castle Garden. At
half past the whole vicinity presented a
most animated and interesting scene. Cas-
tie Garden was crowded to its utmost linn
its-admission fifty cents (; the piers north
Of the Battery were thickIy filled; the ves-
sells for long way up the river, with their
rigging, were crowded with clusters of hu.
man beings; the Battery, as far as the eye
could see around it, and far back from its
outer edge, was black with the dense multi
tude tree tops were filled the roofs of
houses and all the prominent places near
were covered; the North Carolina, which
lay, will, her broadside to the shore, a little
to the north of the Garden, was completely
crowded and her rigging filled, and, at dis
lance of about one eighth of mile from the
Battery and in direct line between the
Garden and the north end of Bellows Is
land, swung a large unrlgged vessel of near
y 800 tons with a heavy hull and two masts
capped by eflieies while around her were
playing hundreds of boats, steamers, sloops,
skils, &c. filled to the utmost with men, wo-
men and children of all ages and conditions.
AT quarter before 4 gun from the
North Carolina gave note of preparation.-
The surrounding craft began to remove to "A
little distance from the vessel, small boat
went out to make necessary arrangements,
and both the North Carolina and the unrie-
ged ship swung round their broadsi1es to-
wards the Garden. Every thing was now
quiet, and the great multitude we're flushed
in expectation. The sun shone not brightly
enough to dazzle the sight, and all gazcd with
fixed intentness upon the ship. At IA little
after a signal gun sounded from the Caro-
lima; another quickly followed, and with the
Explosion of the third, the great hulk seemed
lifted by its waist from the water by some
unseen power, the bow and stern sunk heav-
lily, and the whole was developed by huge
pile of dense mist. some two hundred feet in
diameter and about eighty high, through
which now and then were seen pieces oil
timber, of which even the shape could not
be guessed. In about minute tine whole
settled down, and "A large circle, covering the
spot where the ship had stood, was strewed
lhlckly over with fragments of the doomed
v, ssel-the largest piece being slight por-
ton of the hull attached TO the mainmast.
Never have we seen more completed,
successful experiment. The explosion wa.
attended with a very slight nose-completc-
ly sllcnccd by the superior sound of the gun
fired at the same instant. The boats which
had surrounded the vessel now rushed in It
inspect her wreck and scores of life pre-.
servers, life sctlees, life buoys, life boats
&c. Nc., which had been put on board were
picked up. fine brass band in the Gar.
den struck up "ilail Columbia" and lls
to dispense. We have no doubt that at lcas
10000 persons looked upon this experiment
The Secretary of War with Adj. Gle era
Jones witnessed it from the North Carolina
No man, after seeing such an expcrimcn, "A,
this, can doubt the ability of this Battery I,
scatter in fragments over the water II vrs>e
of any size; the only question with any one
is, how the engine can be placed under the
ship without the knowledge OF those on board
There are many ways in which this migh
be done; but which Of them Mr.. Colt EN-
/ ploys he chooses to keep to himself.
The Centrifugal Railway which we saw
in Castle Garden, is extremely curious. A
four wheeled car, some two feet long, il
placed at the head of the inclined plane will
f IA base equal to about twice its hight. Th'
momentum it acquires in its descent sends i
completely around the upright circle, some
ten feet in diameter, on its concavc surface
r and then up plane of less inclination tina
. the first. The weight and water meanwhl
!, remain undisturbed.