The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-05-18
Destructive Engines of War.


Of new engines of destruction, which will
be brought into requisition by the pres
ent European war. He says:-"The new
invention for the more rapid destruction
of human beings, which the war is bring
ing to light, especially in England, will
surpass all expectations. The arsenals
of England have for long time been
closed to visitors, even to members of
/ Parliament, while these new and terrible
machines were being constructed and ex-
perimented upon; and no knowledge of
their existence even was permitted until
now called forth by actual service. Ma
ny years ago, the English Government
had proposition before them to adopt
Wagner's floating gun, and besitated.-
A member Of Parliament exclaimed:--
He demands but 100000 pounds, and
yet you hesitate! Hasten to buy this u "a
chine, declare war against France, and
you will destroy her marine in few days
timeH No attention was paid to this a
postrophe at the time in France, and ap-
parently none in England. But this ter
rible invention, of which the public has
ceased to talk, and which was even ridi-
culed at the time, has been maturing in
concealment in the arsenals at Woolwich
and is now ready to 60 out on its work
Of destruction.
The Count Lavalette, Captain Of Militia
ry Marine in France, who knew the con-
struction of this gun, it is said made en-
deayors to have it adopted by the Minis
ter 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 It's sides its
iron head, containing twopounds offulmin-
ating powder of mercury. When the fire
strains this reservoir, it explodes, blowing
a 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 that the Russian fleets
shall retire under the inapproachable for
tresses of Cornstadt and Sebastopol, they
cannot be in safety from this terrible con-
greve 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.
The submarine boats are SO perfected
at this moment that they can reach and
attach burner to an enemy's ship with
out running the least danger. Expert
ments are also being made with an asphy-
xiating ball, 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 in
varibly when they strike even in the body
of horse, for they infame at the moment
of discharge from the gun, and fly burn
ing like small congreves until the moment
of explosion, when they may apply fire
to the ammunition chests and other infam-
mable material, as easily and surely as if
they were in a stubble field.
They are furnishing also two small
steamboats, of singular appearance,
which will carry only two enormous Paix-
han 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
mattrasS of cotton substance, foot and
half thick, which is impenetrable to a bull
let, and this again covered with sheet
ing of iron and lead. Its prov has the
anguler form of cuirass intended 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 ire-ship, very heavy, and bad
sailcr will be towed and let loose at the
proper moment, to approach near the en-
emy's vessels, either when at anchor or
lying to, which it will attack fore and aft
with bombs thrown between wind and wa
ter, and sprinkling the ship wish show
er of Grecian fire. One of these burners,
taking by surprise feet of vessels in a
calm, could with ease destroy the whole
feet, and yet it only requires the labor of
ten determined men to operate it.
The Peace Society have agitated 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 70 these propositions with
irony:-If you fear to hurt the enemy.
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 infam-
mable materials to scatter over towns, vii
lagos and fleets, when the wind favors
such operations.
Another invention, still more terrible
than all the rest, but of which the con-
struction has not yet been known, except
to very small number of persons, is "a
bout to be sent out to destroy the Rus
slams. All these inventions are highly
curious and interesting in the history OF
the war, but rather affecting for humanI-
ty.
W \ gentleman asked a negro boy