New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-09-02
Destructive Engines for Naval Warfare.
z5f.tI.

neS,ructixe Engines for Naval Warfare.
To tie Editor Of tie Tribune:
The recently prepared plan of MIR. Colt for ne-
val defence, cannot but be interesting to every
one who regards the protection of his country IN
the event of war; and although we may hope no
such destructive agents win ever be required, still
is not uawise to anticipate and provide against
It's ravases.
Some four years ago. when war was first ru-
nored as likely to occur between this country and
| England, in reference to the Canadian attempt al
revolution, designed battery to be exploded by
the means of electricity, having in view the same
object as tina. of Mr.. Colt. 1 contemplated a
different method of its application, however, and
doubt not it cos!d be fully realized-that OF aP
plying and securing the battery TO the vessels bot
tom or sides and then ignitpg it by the electric
spark.
For this purpose long cylindrical boat, made
air and water tight, of thin plates of iron, and
ribbed on the inner surface to enable it TO with
stand the hydrostatic pressure, might be construct
ed, and sheathed externally on the upper surface
with cork or other light material TO prevent its
turning over. This submarine vessel, when rest
ing on the water would probably be much eS-
posed: to give it proper weight or gravity, tour
or five separate chambers might be constructed on
the inside Of the boat, at the bottom, which might
be filed with water by means of tap, in order to
make it sink. By pump the water might be
forced out again when it is desirable to approach
| The surface of the water. Furnished with glass
| lights no difficulty could be experienced in navi-
| Eating the bottom of harbor, and setting bat
| ery under the bottom of vessel
A station airy battery is objectionable on account
| of its being useful only at particular moment
and the contingency required probably unlikely to
occur, while movable one would be no less ef-
| fective and more available.
The battery, whatever it mil ht be, mi h: be so
regulated By the means Of one or two air cham
| bers, connected with the boat by tube, that it
could be made to rise or fall at pleasure by the
pansion or reflling of the chambers; and if the
upper side should be constructed so as to fit, in
| the outline, to the bottom of the vessel and be
pressed against it by the upward tendency of the
air the chambers would contain, sufficient perma-
| nency would be given to it without any other aid.
Having thus set the battery by means OF two or
rhree arms projecting from the submarine vessel,
The latter can be rowed to sufficient distance,
md with the electrical conductors previously COZ
nected with the battery and charged by an aPpa-
ratus on board Of the submarine boat, vessel
| could be easily cleared from the harbor.
The navigator or boat would be long and shaped
much like segar to bear the pressure of the wa
ter which would otherwise crush it inwards, and
might be propelled by double row OF oars, set
an Ainges of a peculiar construction, or by some
other means, and, furnished with a compass, u
voyage of several hours might be undertaken with
cut risk IF in the night, the boat ght be brought
70 the surface, and q window constructed for the
purpose, might be opened to change the air, the
chemical application of Col. Payerne, of London
might be used. | do not see how the SUP plate
IF potassa is used with comfort considera-
pe degree of heat is required 10 e4pel the oxygen
from it, and seems to me almost likely to Offset
The oxygen generated in the process Fire of any
lind, especially charcoal, generates large guam
tity of carbonic acid. and thus great quantity of
oxygen must be produced in order to compensate
for that which is consumed in its production.
CoNTENTMENT.-Th captain Of whale ship
in allusion to the climate and various pri-
va.ions suffered by the inhabitants of Spitzbsrgen
told one of them that he sincerely pitied the mis-
cradle life to which he was condemned. {" Miser-
able!" exclaimed the philosorhic savage. 81
have always had ish-bone through my nose, and
plenty Of train oil to drink; what more could
possibly desire7 y
A GREAT WORK." The education of our
children, said John Adams to his vile, Is never
out of my mind. Train them to virtue. Hab,u-
ate them to industry, activity and spirit. Make
them consider every vice as shameful and unmanly
Fire them with ambition to be useful. Make them
disdain to be destitute of any useful or ornamental
knowledge.
GALLANT Bon Mor.-The Spaniards are re-
served people, and do not often pay hyperbolical
compliments, but one Of their most admired wri-
tiers, speaking of ladys black-eyes, says, They
are in mourning for the many hearts they have
| broken