The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-26
A New Weapon.

Ai't'J"b lolIoHlhg more DtioIt our fuin
one OF the most accomplished engineers service.
we have no doubt that we shall stimulate the wonderful
ingenuity OF our countrymen. How is this shell con-
struced VIII not be the only problem TO the nge
NOUS American to work but how can the French shell
be imProUedp 1t not an hour before receiving this
communication, that we had been shown new carbne,
at the capitol, possessing facilities in loading
at the butt; and it was then said that if the present war
were TO continue twelvemonth longer, the impulse
which had been impaired TO the genius of the country
the military line would be productive OF the most bril-
liant Improvements
To The Editor Of the Union:
The enclosed vague description of 'new missile"
may be worthy of notice, and perhaps of navy
ocers VIII lee an interest III ascertaning what results
are TO follow The use of such conclusion she'll" If
1t has been adopted by the French navy, as stated its
merits must be worthy OF inquiry. T.
London News, Jan To- lsis
THE FRENCH FRIGATE 'PSYCHE"-A Ne,o Shell.
While the invasion question is much agitated, the fol-
lowing description of novel French lrigale and
missile with which she is armed, will be read with inter
est is from the Lisbon correspondent of the Times
'As much has been said home the wonderful capa-
btes oil French shlP-oiwar now in the. Tagus, called
the Psyche, commanded by Count Gourdon, glad to
persons well informed such subjects who inspected
her, the pecnlares OF her construction and arma
ment. The PSYCHIC is not steamer, has been
enormously stated; she is simply smart irgae OF
10 guns, as well manned and well appointed any
vessel OF the class in the British navy Though rated
4gun ship she carries but 30; but these of
dons weights the % the main being all 81, and the
the upper deck being 81 Founders These guns be
used ndleenty for SHE'LL round shot grape but they
exclusively de voted in the Psyche for experiments
ncussion shell, which, being Gallo invention,
is exclusively employed in the French service The shell
in question has fuse and IL is perfectly harmless unless
passes certain distance through the air with certain
degree of velocity. 1t gnites by conclusion, and by
percussion and its chief and operation
of lods ing the matter aimed and setting fire
effects OF an ordinary shell as 1t explodcs 1t is harmless
until it gains certain velocity, and may be rolled the
floor dropped from the upper TO the lower deck without
the least injury and If be broken in the fall mis-
chief will The shell was invented by Capt Bete of
the French naval service and was actively used in 1884,
Mogadore, with such terrific certainty, that, wherever it
fell, the instantly fire Persons in the habit
of using it, say that half dozen lodging in the Howe the
Queen the Albion would set the ship in blaze the
they struck the sde each burrows in the wood
up all about il, and ignite everything with which
each norse of the comts in There
her guns fitted in the ordinary the SHE'LL
be effective, requires elevation of the gun from
whence it is discharged than an ordinary round shot
The superiority OF frgate having all her main
deck guns FOUNDERS and firing lOnch shells from each
evden but the admirers OF the Psyche will not rest
there, they she than MATCH for lineo
battle ship When shall see British 60 SOgun ship
allowing French rgate to get within range without blow
ing her of the water, we may be alarmed at the
much yaunted power ofthe Psyche Still tits well to know
that French gnte rated at 0guns, carries no less than
twenty-five Slpounders her main deck and eight 81
Founders her quarter deck and that half dozen shot
from them well placed calculated to play destruction
with an enemy of superior force, who does
by disabling her Captain Billette the inventor of the
she'll died few weeks since in the naval hospital at Paris
the government; the officers on board
acquainted with it. All they know is, that such articles
served out with other munitions OF war and that when
they witnessed the operation OF the SHE'LL the result
has invariably been the same