Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-17
THE WAR OF 1854.

THE WAR OF 1854.
We find the following particulars in La Cron-
ica, relative to the new missiles of warfare which
will be used in the coming struggle between
Great Britain and Russia. We have not seen in
any English paper so particular description OF
them. the reason being perhaps that it was not
considered expedient to enter into detail on
things which were in some sort state secret.
However, they NAV now be alluded to without
impropriety
"Accordng to our English correspondent, the
new missiles Of destruction which the Eastern
war is about to pring to light will exceed every
thing that has been anticipated at least so far as
relates to Great Britain. That country has clo-
sed all it's arsenals to visitors, even to members
of Parliament, since the time that war was re-
solved on.
"Among these MISSILES we cite the floating
rocket which darts in straight line, skimming
the surface of the water, and strikes its iron
head, which contains one kilograme (2lb 5oz.) of
against which it is launched. When the fire
reaches the deposit, it explodes, making breach
of the size of the large door, and which cannot
from its irregular shape be stopped, like the
round hole made by cannon ball.
take refuge under the guns of Sebastopol and
Cronstadt, they could not avoid this terrible
rocket, the terrific speed OF which is almost un-
imaginable, and exceeds that of any other mis-
sile-nor could the entrance to any port, howev-
er narrow, hinder its assault.
Use also will be made of submarine vessels,t the
construction of which is now so perfect, that
they can be steered without the least danger to
.b; oh fa than,
or throw 'choke balls" which do not kill, but par
alize ship's-crew, and render them incapable of
defence sufficiently long to be made prisoners
A considerable quantity of exploding balls which
burst the moment they touch their object, has al
so been embarked. They will be used with ef-
feet against tumbrils and powder magazines Of
the enemy.
Two vessels of small size and very singular
construction have been built. These mount on
ly one or two enormous Paixhan guns in the bow
and stern. Their sides are six feet and half
thick, and are covered with felt substance i'm.
penetrabe to balls, and also with coating of
iron and lead. The bow is also shaped like a
cuirass, so as to turn aside the balls directed up
on it. They are also covered with roof of sim
liar form, calculated to throw off into the sea
any shells which may fall upon it. These fire
ships are very heavy and move slowly by steam,
but can be, of course, aided by steamers
They will invariably present their bow and stern
to assail an enemy, and hur their shells on lev
ell with the surface of the water, and sweep the
enemy's ship with flood of Greek fire by means
of pump worked by steam. A squadron of
ships fthe.line becalmed could be completely
destroyed by a single one of these burners as
they are called, manned with crew of only ten
resoiute men.
The letter from which we extract the above,
adds, "you are acquainted with ordinary fire
ships-stupid machines known by their f2z more
than by any advantage they offer. Any vessel
that has a magazine is fire ship, and invariably
burns before reaching the enemy, and generally
with out reaching him at all, as at Sinope.
The coming struggle will witness something
very different. know not whether ought to
explain the terrific war engine which Slatham in
vented without intending it, when he discovered
his Electric Rocket for the use of blasting in the
mines. But as it has been admitted that the
more terrible are made the implements of des-
truction-so much shorter and less bloody is
war likely to become; love for humanity encour-
ages ME to reveal this secret
The crew of n ship likely to be taken, evacu-
ates 1.-THE last boat containing the chief Off
GERS draws out after it a wire covered with gutta
percha--this wire is wound on roller in the be-
tween decks of each ship of war, and is placed
in communication with the magazine by means
OF 'Sleatham Rocket The captains barge
contains voltac pile. The moment for sending
the electric spark is entirely at the command OF
the captain or officer in charge, but of course
will be communicated whenever the enemy has
got possession of the ship and are singing the
song of victory.
The celebrated Faraday has just finished Sc.
ries of experiments in the workshops of the
company charged with the duty of furnishing
these submarine conductors for the use of fire.
ships-about l60 kilometers 100000 yards) Of
said wires have been tested, by submerging them
in water to try their conductibiity the result has
been complete success.
have just been to Woolwich where witness.
ed at distance the embarkation of series Of
iron cylinders, carried by soldiers from the arsen
al to the ships. sort Of procession lasted two
hours, and was told that for several days the
same thing had taken place. The number Of