Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1855-08-02
The Internal Machines at Sebastopol and
in the Baltic.


in the Baltic.
The London Times correspondent gives
the following account Of the small mines !
which the Russians have strewed the ground
with about the outworks:
II was shown here at the Mamelon) one
Of these extraordinary lougasses, or small
mines, which are exploded on the touch of
the foot, and which the Russians planted
thckly about their advanced works. A
strong case containing powder is sunk in
the ground, and to it is attached thin
tube Of tin or lead, several feet in length;
in the upper end OF the tube there is enclOs.
ed thin glass tube containing sulphuric or
nitric acid. This portion OF the tube is just
laid above the earth, where it can be readi-
ly lid by few blades ofgrass or a Stone
If person steps on it he bends the tin tube
and breaks the glass tube inside. The ac-
id Immediately escapes ard runs down the
tin tube till it arrives close 10 its insertion
into the case, and then meets a few grains
Of chlorate o potass, and not only destroys
everything near it, but throws out a quantity
Of bitumen, with which ii is coated in
state OF ignition. so as to burn everything 1t
rests upon. Late in the day very nearly
had practical experience Of the working Of
these mines, for an English sentry, who
kindly warned me off, did not indicate the
exact direction till he found | was in danger
Of firing it, when he became very commune
c0tive on the subject. One OF them blew
up during the armislce, but don't know
what damage it did. We have lost several
men hy them. While the ground is occl-
pied by the Russians they mark them by
small flags, which are removed when the
enemy advance. 1t makes it dsagreeable
while walking in the space between the
works"
The following is description Of one Of
the machines which are sunk in the Baltic,
which have caused so much apprehension
among the Allied fleets:
Each machine consists of cone of gall
vanizcd iron, l6 inches in diameter at the
base, and 20 from base 10 apex; it is divided
into three chambers, the one near the base
being largest, and containing air causes it to
float with the base uppermost. In the cen
tire of this chamber is another, which holds
a tube with a fuse i'll it, and an apparatus
for firing it. This consists Of two little iron
rods, which move in guides, and are kept
projected over the side Of the base by springs
which press them outwards.
When anything pushes either Of these
rods inwards, it strikes against lever
which moves like pendulum, in the fuse
tube, and the lower end of the lever break,
or bends small leaden tube, containing Q
combustible compound, which is set I'll fire
by coming in contact with some sulphuric
acid held in a capillary tube, which is bro
ken at the same time, and so fires the fuse
which communicates with the powder con-
tained in the chamber at the apex OF the cont
and which holds or 10 lbs.
AT the extreme apex is brass ring, t,
which is attached rope and scme piece
of granite, which moors them about nine o
ten feet below the surface, SO that it is onl,
vessels they could hurt, the gun boats, iloa
quietly over them, and now we know whO
they are, they have been disarmed OF al
their dread. But they prove dangerou
playthiugs; the COMMUNICATIVE was ex
amrning one Of the fuse tubes that was sup
= posed TO be spoiled, for it was full Of mu
!: and water, when he accidentally touched tn
;, lever, und it exploded in his hands,"