Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-04-27
The Improved Art of War,

Among the many arts which the conceptions
of genius are constantly combining to perfect
and develop, is the art Of war. Every sue
ceeding generation seems to introduce among
US still more powerful and efficient agencies
for accomplishing the destruction of our fellow
men. A correspondent of the Cincinnati Ga
@ette, writing from England, gives US an inter-
esting description of few of the warlike en-
gines which it is supposed will contribute ma
teraly to the successful termination Of HOSTILE
ties in the great European struggles which is
probably about 10 occur.
One of the most terrible of these machines,
he says, is Wagners floating gun-which is
simply long congreve gun, designed to be
propelled along the surface of the water in
straight line, the principle of the rocket, I'M
Ill it strikes the vessel at which it was direc-
ted, when it thrusts into its sides its iron head,
containing two pounds Of Illuminating powder
of mercury. When the fire reaches its reser-
voir, the powder explodes, blowing a hole in
the vessel ten or twelve feet in diameter-so
large that it cannot be closed by any ordinary
method. This machine, says the writer, has
been long time maturing in the Woolwich
arsenals, and is now completed, and ready TO
go forth on its mission of destruction. II can
be made available at distance far beyond the
reach Of any other gun, and it is thought will
be of service in attacking the Russian fleets
when anchored under the unapproachable for
tresses Of Sebastopol and Cronstadt
| The correspondent also says that submarine
boats have been so perfected that they can at
tach a burner to an enemy's ship without in
curing the least danger to those who manage
them. Large numbers Of the explosive balls
have been embarked on board the English
fleets, of such nature as invariably TO explode
whenever they strike the side of ar enemy S
ship, scattering on every side devastation,
death, and flames. Experiments are also being
made with an asphyxiating ball, which does
not kill, but pdrdises an entire crep for several
hours, or until they are MADE prisoners.
Two small steamboats, are building, designed
to carry each two enormous Paixhan guns
These vessels are built in the strongest manner
with oaken walls near six feet thick, covered
with mattress of cotton one foot and half IN
thickness, and this again covered with sheet
ing Of iron and lead. The roof or upper deck
is covered in the same way, so as To allow The
bombs of the enemy to glance into the sea with.
out damage. They are designed 10 be bullet
proof, and bomb proof. These ships are to be
sent at the proper time into the midst of the
enemys feet, where they will attack the yes
sells around them, fore and aft, with bomb.
thrown between wind and water, at the same
time sprinkling them with showers of Greel
fire. 1t is believed that one Of these little YES
sells, operated by the labors of few determined
men, might under favorable circumstances, de
stroy an entire feet of ships.
The English feet is also largely provide,
, with balloons, intended to carry inHammabl,
materials, TO scatter over towns, villages ant
fleets when the wind favors such operations
and Il is said that another invention, whose re
u suits will be still more terrible than any of tn,
y "oo'e' but of which the construction has no
2 oce' made known, is also about 10 be sent o.
{ 10 destroy the Russians.