The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-04-28
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DEs.
TRUCTlON OF HUMAN LIFE.

/ wv ~ I'N liz II
TRUCTlON OF HUMAN LIFE. Y
The Paris Correspondent Of the Gins
cinnati Gazette, whites the following in
regard to new Inventions for the desifuc.
ron of human life on more grand scale
/ than has hitherto existed. Their actual
efficiency is to be tested i'll The, Eastern
| Wars asl.8il2 ltuid 4 ssp e.aT al
"The new inventions for the more rap
id destruction Of human beings which the
war is bringing 70 ligh',especialiy in Eng
land, will surpass all expectations. The
arsenals of England have for long time
been closed TO visitors, even 10 members
Of Parliament, willis these new and fer>
rible machines were being constructed
aud experimental upon, and no knowl-
edge of their existence even was permit
ted until now called forth by actual SER
vice. Many years ego the English gov-
eminent had a proposition before Them to
adop, Wagnsr's floating gun, and hesita 4
ted. A member Of Parliament, exclans
ed: "TIe demands but 100000 pounds,
and yet you hesiia,e! Hasten TO buy
this machine declare war against France,
and you will destroy her marine in few
days. timG!" No attention was paid TO
this apostrophe at the time in France and
apparently uone in England. But this
terrible invention, of which the public
has ceased TO talk, and which was even
ridiculed at the time, has been maturing
in concealmeni, in the arsenaIs Of Wool
wicb, and is now ready 10 60 Out on its
work Of destruction.
"The Count Lavalet,e, captain Of mil
iiary marine in France, who knew the
construction Of this gun, il is said made
endeavors to have it adopted by tho Min
isler Of Marine under Lcuis Philippe. II
is simply a long congreve gun, which
glides along on The water in s,raigh,
Inc till it strikes the vessel al which i,
is directed, when it ,hrusts into lis sides
lis iron head, containing two pounds of
Eliminating powder Of mercury. When
the fire attaiDs this reservoir il explodes,
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 tina, the Russian fleets
shall retire under the inaPproachabe for.
tress Of Cronslad, and Sebas'opol, they
cannot be in safety from this terrible con-
greve gun, which carries to almost any
distance within reach Of aim, and far be-
yond The reach ofany other gun. Ii can>
not be prevented from passing through
the most contracted straits were ships
pass.
"The submarine boats are so perfected
at this moment that they can reach and
attach a burner to an enemy's ship witb>
out running the least danger. Experi-
mcnts are also being made with an as
phyxia,ing ball which does not kill, but
which paralyzes an entire crew for sew
eral hours, or until they are made prison,
ers. They are embarking, also, large
number OF burning explosive balls, which
explode invariably when they s,rike, even
IN the body Of a horse; fot they inaame
at tho moment Of discharge from the gun,
and fly burning like small congreves un>
Ill the moment Of the explosisn, when
they may apply FIRE TO The ammunition
chests and other inaammable material as
ensily and as surely as ii they were 10
fall in stubble field.
"Fhe Peace Society have agtated The
|
question in England Of how far nation
is justified in employing other and more
destructive methods in war than those
employed by the enemy. Admiral Ma
pier has replied to these propositions with
irony: eff you fear TO hurt the enems
put into your guns balls Of cotton, and
into your cannon cakes Of rice"
"The English feet is largely provided
with balloons, intended TO carry inaam,
mable materials 10 scatter over towns vii
lagos and fleets, when the wind favors
such operations" ''a'
\ Neal Dow, ,he author Of the Maine
lST and the Tamnerance candidate ,fo