Washington sentinel., 1854-03-31
NEW AND DESTRUCTIVE ENGINES
OF WAR.

The Paris correspondent of the Cincinnati
Gazette gives the following account Of new en-
gines Of destruction, which will be brought
into requisition by the present European war.
He says:
"The new inventions for the more rapid de-
struction of human beings which the war is
bringing to light especially in England will
surpass all expectations. The arsenals of Eng
land have for long time been closed to visi-
tors, even to members of Parliament, while
these new and terrible machines were being
constructed and experimental upon, and no
knowledge Of their existence even was permit
ted until now called forth by actual service.
Many years ago, the English government had
proposition before them to adopt Wagners
floating gun, and hesitated. A member of
Parliament exclaimed: He demands but 300,-
buy this machine, declare war against France,
and you will destroy her marine in a few days
time! No attention was paid to this apostro-
phe 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 ridiculed at the time, has been ma
turing in concealment in the arsenals of Wool
wich, and is now ready to go out on its work
of destruction.
"The Count Lavalette, captain Of military
marine 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 a long congreve
gun, which glides along on the water in
straight line till it strikes the vessel at which
it is directed, when it thrusts into its sides its
iron head, containing two pounds Of fuminat-
ing powder of mercury. When the fire attains
this reservoir, it explodes, blowing 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 fortresses Of
Cronstadt and Sebastopol, they cannot be in
safety from this terrible congreve 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 passing
through the most contracted straits where ships
pass
"The submarine boats are so perfected at
this moment, that they can reach and attach a
burner to an enemy's ship without running the
least danger. Experiments are also being
made with an asphyxiating ball, which does
not kill, but which paralyzes an entire crew
for several hours, or until they are made pris-
oners. They are embarking also large num-
Der of burning explosive balls, which explode
invariably when they strike, even in the body
of horse, for they inhame at the moment Of
discharge from the gun, and fly burning like
small congreves until the moment of explo-
sion, when they may apply fire to the ammuni
ton chests and other infammable material, as
easily and as surely as if they we're to fall in
stubblefeld.
"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 COW
cred with mattress of cotton substance, a foot
and a half thick, which is impenetrable to
bullet, and this again covered with sheeting
of iron and lead. Its Prov has the angular 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.
"1he fire-ship, very heavy, and bad sailer,
will be towed and let loose at the proper mo-
ment, to approach near the enemy's vessels,
either when at anchor or lying.to, which it
will attack fore and aft with bombs thrown be.
tween wind and water and sprinkling the ship
with shower of Grecian fire. One of these
burners, taking by surprise fleet Of vessels in
q calm, could with ease destroy the whole feet,
and yet it only requires the labor of ten deter
mined men to operate 1t.
"The peace society have agitated the ques-
ton in England of how far nation is justified
in employing other and more destructive meth
DDS in war than those employed by the enemy.
Admiral Napier has replied to these PROPOSE
tions with irony: IF you fear to hurt the ene-
my, put into your guns balls of cotton, and into
your cannon cakes OF riceP
"The English feet is largely provided with
balloons, intended 10 carry inaammable mate
rials to scatter over towns, villages, and fleets,
when the wind fayors such operations.
1Another invention, still more terrible than
all the rest, but Of which the construction has
not yet been made known, except to a very
small number of persons, is about to be sent
out to destroy the Russians All these inven-
tions are highly curious and interesting in the
history of the war, but rather affecting for hu-
manity."
Piedmont is about tocborrow thirty-Rve millions
Of francs, and Austria, by lottery-scheme, 6fiy
millions Of forins,