The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-04-10
Terrible Engine of fWar--Startling Inven-
tiOnS.

PARIS, MarCn O.---ILe new Inventions
for the more rapid destruction OF human
beings which the war is bringing TO light
especially in England, will surpass all expec-
tations. The arsenals OF England have tor
a long time been closed to visitors, even TO
members of Parliament, while these new
and terrible machines were being made and
experimental upon, and no knowledge ol
their existence was ever permitted until now
called forth by actual service. Many years
ago, the English Government had PROPOSE
ton before them to adopt Wagner iloat-
ING gun. and hesitated. A member OF Par
lament exclaimed -" He demands but
100000, 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 was paid
TO this apostrophe 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 rldlculed
at the time, has been maturing IN conceal
ment in the arsenals of Woolwlch, and IS
now nearly ready to go out on It's work OF
destruction.
Count Lavalette, captain of military ma
rine 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 wa
ter in a straight line, till 1T strikes the YES
sci at which it is directed when 1t thruSts
into its sides its iron head, containing two
pounds of Illuminating powder OF mercury,
When the fire attalns thus reservoir, IL eX-
plodes, blowing hole 10 or II ieet III diane
ter. which it is impossible Tor them TO close
up as they do the round holes made by can
non balls.
In admitting that the Russian fleets shall
retire under the inapproachable 1ortresses OF
Cronstadt and Sebastopol, they cannot be IN
safety from this terrible congrevc gun, which
carries to almost any distance within reach
of the aim, and far beyond the reach OF any
other gun. 1t cannot be prevented from
oassing through the most contracted straits
where ships pass.
The submarine boats are so perfected al
this moment that they can reach and attach
burner to any enemy's ship without run
ming the least danger. Experiments are also
being made with an asphyxlatlng bail, which
does not kill, but which paralyzes 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 inilame at the
moment of discharge from the gun, and fly
burning like small congreves until the mo-
,nent of the explosion, when they may apply
fire to the ammunition chests and other in
fammable material, as easily and as surely
as if they were to fall in stubble field.
They are furnishing also two small steam
boats of singular appearance, which will
carry only two enormous PaiXhan guns,
placed on the fore part of the vessel. The
walls Of these little vessels have thickness
of six feet, made of oak standing upright
and this covered with IA matrass of cotton
substance a foot ana half thick, which Is
impenetrable to a bullet, and this again COW
cred with a sheetng of iron and lead. Its
prov has the angular form Of cuirass in
tended to turn bullets; the roof or deck is
covered in the same way, so as to allow the
bombs to glide into the sea without doing
damage.
, The lire-ship, very heavy, and very
had sailer, will be toWed, and let loose at
the proper moment, to approach near the
encmy's vessels, either when at anchor or
laying-to, which it will attack fore and aft
with bombs thrown between wind and wa
ter, and sprinkling the ship with shower
of Grecian fire. One of their burners,
taking by surprise fleet of vessels in calm,