, 1854-08-05
The War Of SjI-New Weapons and Agencies
10 be Used,

] NNAANolOhhNANo VI llC DuDGIl
from England give some details, as formi
dable as they are curious, respecting tn,
implements for waging war, especially by
sea, which are now in preparation through
out the British ArsenaB. We translat,
from these letters some of their most inter
esting statements.
The new means Of destruction which thC
impending war will bring to light, are des
tined to surpass all that has been hitherto
known or forseen. This is particularly true
Of England, who has closed all her arsenals
to visitors, and even to members Of Parlia
pent, dating from the moment when Ad
miral Napier succeeded in procuring a vote
Of considerable sums, for the armament
and forti6cation of the coasts, the ports ol
refuge'and the navy. Money is needed
ask for it and we will give you as much as
you require, for the fate Of the country is
at stake" This is what we have heard
said in Parliament About the same time
there was some talk concerning the floating
fuse Of Captain Warner, which they still
hesitated to purchase. A noble Lord ex-
claimed What he asks but e3O0, 900,
and you hesitate to buy it Take it at
once This terrible discovery, Of which
nothing further has been said, which has
even been ridiculed, is nevertheless in re-
serve at Woolwich Arsenal, with many
others that are only awaiting favorable
opportunity to make their appearance in
full and destructive application. The Com
te de Lavalette, captain in the naval SER
vice Of France, who was acquainted with
the construction Of this fuse, made vain
efforts to have it adopted by the Marine
Department under Louis Philippe. The
effect Of this instrument is to make an
opening in the side Of q ship as large as a
stable door, which it is impossible to plug
as you would the ori6ce produced by a
cannon ball. Even admitting, then, that
the Russian fleets should have retired under
cover Of the impregnable fortresses Of Sc
bastopol and Cronstadt, they still would
not be sheltered from this terrible rocket,
whose length Of range has no limit, but
goes far beyond that Of any other weapon
known. 1t cannot even be prevented from
passing through the entrance Of the mar
rowest ports.
An immense quantity of explosive bullets
are likewise being embarked. These mis-
siles explode wherever they strike, even
inside the bodies of horses for they take
fire at the moment'of their issuing from
the gun, and continue to burn, like minia-
ture congreVes, until the instant Of their
explosion, which will set FIRE to powder
chests and wagons, as if they were made
Of straw.
The workmen have Just completed two
most extraordinary boats, having bows in
the angular form Of cuirass, so construct
ed as to turn aside a ball they are COW
cred with roof Of the same kind, which
will cause any missile to glance of into the
water.
The strange craft, which is very heavy
and slow Of motion, will be towed to a
given point and there left to make its way
towards vessels at anchor or in line these
it will board always at the stern or bows,
when it can pour in its bombs on level
with the waite, and deluge the hostile ships
with Greek FIRE, pumped over their decks
and sides by steam. 1t is evident that a
feet surprised in calm might be entirely
destroyed by ONE only of these burners, as
they are called, conducted by ten deter
mined men.
You have often read descriptions Of fire.
ships, stupid machines, much more famed
for their invariable failure than for their
success, and whose Invention was never
fathered by genius.
The burners now about to be used are
different affairs. The old fashioned ones
commenced by burning the parties that
manned them. before ever reaching the
enemy, and often without coming near
them at all, as at Sinope.
In the shock now preparing, the reverse
will happen the enemy alone will blow
up at the most opportune moment, and
that, too, without your running the slight
est risk, and often without losing single
man.
know not whether ought TO explain
this Internal device, Of which Slatham is
the inventor, without knowing it, with hii
electric fuse for mines. But, as 1t is re
ceived principle that the more powerful and
effective the implements Of destruction are
made, the less pTotracted aud bloody must
war be, the love Of humanity urges me tc
reveal this ominous secret.
Every ship found to be in danger. should
be abandoned by its crew at q given mo
ment.
The last party leaving it, viz: that com
posed Of the chief officers, will tow after i
metallic wire Of some strength, covered
with gutta percha each wire will be o
great length, and wound on bobbin ol
small wheel, like q miniature capstan
placed in the between-decks Of every man
of.war, and is placed in communication
with the combustible and explosive mate
rial to be freddy means Of Slatham fuse
The captains boat is provided with al
electric battery. a
IL il of course understood that the mo