The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-04-11
Preparatious for the Eastern War.

The Paris correspondent OF the Clnclnnat
Gazette in reference to the preparations iol
war now being made by the Western powers
says:
The new inventions for the more rapid de-
struction of human beings which the war is
bringing to light, especially in England, Will
surpass all expectations. The arsenals OF Eng
land have for long time been closed to vlsl-
tors, even to members OF Parliament "nlle
these new and terrible machines were being
experimental upon, and no knowledge of their
existence even was permitted until now called
forth by actual service. Many years ago the
English Government had proposition before;
them to adopt Wagner's floating gun, and hes
itated. A member of Parliament exclaimed
Gle demands but 100000 pounds, and yet
you hesitate Hasten to buy this this machine,
declare war against France, and you will de-
stroy her marine in few days time p No
attention was paid to this apostrophe at the
time in France, and apparently none in Eng
land. But this terrible invention Of which the
public has ceased to talk, and which was even
ridicultd at the time, has been maturing in
conceament in the arsenals of Woolwich, and
is now ready to 60 out on its work of destruc-
ton.
The Count Lavalette, captain of military
marine in France, who knew the construction
of this gun, it is said made endeavors to have
it adopted by the Minister of Marine under
Louis Philippe. 1t is simply long congreve
gun, which glides along on the water in a
straight line till it strikes the vessel at which
it is directed, when it thrusts into its
side its iron head containing two pounds of
! Illuminating powder Of mercury. When the
fire attains this reservoir it explodes, blowing
hule in the vessel ten or twelve feet in diane.
ter, which it is impossible for them to close up
as they do the round holes made by cannon
balls.
In admitting that the Russians fleets shall
retire under the inapproachable fortresses in
Cronstadt and Sebastapol, they cannot be in
sa ety from this terrible congfeve gun, which
carries to almost any distance within reach of
any other gun, 1t cannot be prevented from
passing through the most contracted straits
where ships pass.
"rhe submarine boats are so perfected at
this moment, that they can reach and attach q
burner to an enemy's ship without running the
least danger Experiments are also being
made with an asphyxiating ball, which does
not kill, but which para Uses an entire crew for
several hours, or until they are made prisoners.
They are embarking also ID large number of
burning explosive balls, which explode invarla.
bly, when they strike, even in the body Of n
horse for they infame at the moment of dis
charge from the gun, and fly burning like small
congreves until the moment of the explosion,
when they may apply fire to the ammunition
chests and other innammabe materials as Ell
silly and rs surely as il they tv 'arr t"sv I"
stubbe field.
The Peace Society have agitated the ques-
tion in England of how far a nation is justified
in employing other and more destructive meth
ods in war than those employed by the enemy.
Admiral Napier has replied to these PROPOSE
tons with irony: 'Ifyou fear to hurt the en-
cmy, put into your guns balls of cotton, and
into your cannons cakes Of rice"
The English fleet is largely provided with
balloons. intended to carry innammable mate
rials to scatter over towns, villages and eets,
when the wind favors such operations"