Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
New and Destructive Engines Of
Mar.

na.i GdzeHe gives the following account OF
new engines of destruction, which will be
brought into requisition by the present Eu-
ropean wat. He says: ar
The new Invention for tle more rapid
destruction of human beings. which the
present war is bringing to light, especially
in England, will sarprise all expectations.
The arsenals OF England have for long
time been closed to visitors, even to MEM
bers of Parliament. while these new and
terrible machines were being constructed
and experimental upon, and no knowledge
tof Their existence even was permitted until
now called forth by actual service. Many
years ago the English Government had a
proposition before them TO adopt Wagners
floating gun, .and hesitated. a member OF
Parliament exclaimed '.He demands but
800 ,OOOl, and yet you hesitate! Hasten
to buy this machine, declare war against
France, and you will destroy her marine
| in few days' time" No attention vas
paid TO this apostropbe at the time in
France, and apparently none in England
But this terrible invention, OF which the
public has ceased to talk, and which was
even ridiculed at the time, has been matu-
ring IN concealment in the arsenals oil
Woolwich and is now ready TO 60 out on
IFS work of destruction. The Count Lave
lette, captain of military marlne,ln France
who knew The construction of this gun, it
is SAID, made endeayors to have it adopted
by the minister of marine under Eeals Phil
lppe. 1t is simply long Congreve gun,
whIch glides along on the water in a
straight line until it strikes the vessel at
which it is directed, when it thrusts into its
sides its iron head, containing two pounds
of Eliminating powder of mercury When
the fire attaihs this reservoir, it explcdes,
blowing hole in The vessel ten or twelve
feet in diameter, which it is impossible for
them to close up as they do the round holes
made by cannon balls. In admitting that
the Russian fleets shall retire under the in.
approachable fortresses of Cronstadt and
Sebastopo, they cannot be in safety from
this terrible gun, which carries to almost
any distance within reach of the ann, and
far beyond the reach of any other gun. It
cannot be prevented from passing through
the most contracted straits where ships
pass. The submarine boats are so perfect
ed at this moment, that they can reach and
attach burner to an enemy's ship without
running the least danger. Experiments
are also being made with an asphyxiatins
ball, which does not kill, but paralyses an
entire crew for several hours, or until they
are made PRISONERS. They are embarking
also large number of burning explosive
balls, which explode Invariably when they
strike, even IN the body Of horse. for they
inhame at the moment of discharge from
the gun, and fly burning like small Con-
ereves until the moment of explosion, when
they may apply fire to the ammunition
chests and other inaamma6le material, a:
easily and as surely as if they were to fall
in stubble-feld.
They are furnishing also two small steam.
boats OF singular appearance, which Will
carry only two enormous Paixhan guns,
placed on the forepart of the vessel. The
walls of these little vessels have thickness
of six feet, made of oak, standing upright,
and this covered with a mattress of cotton
substance, foot and half thick, which IS
impenetrable to bullet and this again COW
cred with sheeting of iron and lead. Its
prov has the angular form of cuirass. in
tended to turn bullets; the roof or the deck
is covered in the same way, so as to allow
the bombs to glide into the sea without do
ING anv damage, The fre-sbip, very heavy,
and bad saiIer, will be towed and let loose
at the proper moment, to approach near the
enemy's vessels, either when at anchor or
lying 10, which it will attack fore and ait
with bombs thrown between wind and wa
ter and sprinkling the ship with a shower
of Grecian fire. One of these burners, ta'
king by surprise fleet Of vessels in calm,
could destroy the whole feet, and yet on
lv requires the labor Of ten determined men
to operate it.
The peace society have sgltsted the ques-
ton in England Of how far nation is JUS
tilted in employing other and more destruc-
tive methods in war than those employed
by the enemy. Admiral Napier has replied
to these propositions With irony: "lf you
fear to hurt the enemy, put into your guns
balls of cotton, and into your cannon cakes
of rice !" The English fleet is largely pro-
y,ded with balloons, intended 10 carry in
! fsmu,able materials TO scatter over towns,
villages, and fleets, when the wind favors
such operations. ~.
Another invention, still more terrible
Than all the rest, but of which the constrnc-
ton has not yet been made known, except
to a very small number of persons, is about
to be sent out to destroy the Russians. All
of these inventions are bighly curious and
very interesting in the history of the war
but rather affecting for humanity.