Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-05-16
TERMS OF ADVERTISING.
MONTGOMERY, ALA, April Both, 1861

\ saw this morning the model of floating battery
which think far surpasses your famous work in every
respect. The invention is a creation of Mr.. Gamble
well known in Georgia a very scientific gentleman
The model and explanation of it has met with so much
favor at the department that inclined to think
it will be experimental upon in the Chesapeake Bay
before Fortress Monroe The following is an accurate
description of the work. which had partly promised to
keep quiet but supposing it would be published else
where subjoin it. You will find it very interesting
description
CANDLES ROTARY FLOATING BATTERY.
" This model is constructed a scale OF oneeighth
of inch to the foot 1t is calculated carry at least
thirty guns of heaviest metal though present pierced
forOuly ten The Battery will be constructed of iron
shot and bomb proof the thickness of the iron and the
size OF the guns depending upon the locality in which it
is to operate. For instance in some shallow harbors
1t IS obvious that no large ship with heavy arma
ment, can enter but these Batteries can carry the
heaviest armament even in shallow waters it is plain
that they destroy with impuny their lighter armed
adversares before the latter can arrive in effective
range for their lighter guns In such cases great de-
ducton may be made in the weight of the iron employ
ed in their construction By inspection of the model
it will be that it is surrounded by breastwork or
breakwater also shot proof rising but little above the
water. This barrier at least the threeod pur-
pose of protection to the hull of the Battery pro-
vision against boarders from boats and preserver of
smooth water under the muzzes of the guns When
properly poised the Battery will present an acute angle
to the enemys fire, causing the shot to pass harmssy
over or under.
"The magazine in the centre, is furnished with a
bombproof roof the apex of which will to assist
the support of light floor, roof covering the whole
space within the battery circle This floor will not offer
resistance to heavy bombs falling upon it, but will per-
nit them to fall through into the water beneath the
same time it furnishes parade for the garrison and
commodlous deck for small armed men and even field
pieces and morars On the centre of this floor is cir
cular tower shotproof in which to be posted the
gunners who to discharge the guns which in roa-
ton brought to bear upon the target This is pro-
posed to be done by electricity their position giving
them peculiar advantages for correct am free from the
observation of smoke and having full view of the hor
lion. like protection for small-armed men from the
fire of ships tops be constructed around tie
edge of this deck, from which an nCessant fire OF mus
kerry could be maintained.
Passing down through the centre of the magazine
is pivot, which the whole Rotary Battery will turn
while in action. Ifit be desirable to maintain the exact
position, this at the same time anchor and
will not Interfere with the proper action OF the Battery
By simple contrivance, the Rotary be made to
raise depress this pivot without the aid Of machinery
or manual labor. The magazine is rendered accessible
to the batteries by two covered ways having open gra
ngs for floors, which will permit any waste powder
fall through into the water beneath and efectuay cut
Of any train leading to the magazine. The hull Of tie
Rotary will be divided into water tight compartments,
in which the propelers which intended to the
Rotary will be placed, together with all stores, fuel &c.
The guns designed to work in slides similar to the
movement of what is called the head in high pressure
engines the guns having critical but no lateral range.
Directly over each gun is small flag staff by its color
indicating the class OF gun to which 1t index, viz
&" A red flag, say indicating one hundred FOUNDER.
| " A blue 1ag say indicating and eighty FOUNDER.
"a yellow flag, say indicating forty FOUNDER.
I" A white flag, say indicating thrty-two FOUNDER.
These flags are so placed that the butt of the staff
will rest the muzzle of its gun and will thus indicate
to the gunner that the gun loaded and also its cabre
When its gun is discharged it will by its recol permit
the flag staff to descend thus removing it from the Wis
ion of the gunner until the piece is again in place and
IUhp t1p Hap 10 pls
on its muzz, indicating the character of the gun and
its exact range Each gun is furnished with mantlet,
worked by the gun itself, which will open close its
own portfolio by its own action. Each Rotary is fur
nished with two propelers, placed as to be
out OF the way of the guns and protected from injury
from any external cause These engines, working in
parallel lines, will carry the Rotary from point to point
and one of them being reversed will gve when desired
the rotary movement when in action. These Rotaries
being fire proof WILL beside the effect produced by their
guns be capable of acting the most destructive fire.
ships. Being laid aboard of any vessel, they will be
furnished with all appliances for throwing aboard COM
bustible and other destructive missiles.
"The Rotary be furnished with movable keels or
centreboards to enable her to currents, if
desired, without making leaway. When desirable the
heavy guns can be withdrawn, without removal from
the Rotary and lighter guns substituted, making the
armament homogeneous. In the present model, the
heavy guns are mounted in the angles, say three 100
Founders and three 80pounders Being Of the simplest
possible construction, the whole be made by
and punching them for riveting thus making their
struction a cheap They be built at any point
most convenient and economical and forwarded aud put
together wherever they may be required In large har
bOrs, two of these Rotaries of any required
sze could, by their powers of locomOton take up such
positions for mutual defence to render them absolute
irresistible, subecting every attacking ship to an In
cessant raking fire. The powers would enable them
occupy any portion OF said harbor pursue and fer
ret any ntrudng ship. 1t would be impossible for
any land force to keep possession of any harbor thus
fortified might be the if land Notifications
depended upon for its safety The latter might fall into
the hands of an investing oe the former if too hard
. pressed, would simply change its position.
s. 1t is assumed that five minutes be allowed for
loading each gun The Rotary revolving at this rate,
will give revolution every five minutes, and gun
will be brought to bear upon the target every ten
Ionds, and 800 discharges per hour, it necessary.
Besides apparatus for throwing combustbles one
for throwing scading could be easily attached to
this structure agent in resisting attempts at board
ing to sweep the decks of any vessel against
which it may be laid at close quarters"
The HAVANA PRESS ON THE CRIs1s-The Havana
papers publish in detail the from the United States
and comment vouminousy upon it. The PrenSa says
+ The confusion which must reign IN the United States
with the calling out OF the militia and the preparations
for war; can scarcely be conceived. The general dis
satisfaction however anifests itself in thousand differ
en ways because the people well understood that the
result of all these sacrifices will be that the drama will
end where it ought to have begun, with the recogn
ton Of the independence and nationality of the two
tons into which the old republic is already divided and
the conclusion of treaties Of amty and commerce. But
the meantime disaster is to succeed disaster without
the possibility of remedy. What blindness on the part
t OF the Republican party and President Lincoln
RALEIGH PERCUSSION CAP FAcroRY.-Owng to the skill
Professor Emmons in making the composition, and theI
mechanical dexery Mr. Charles Kueser IN using for
the requisite PURPOSE shall much of that article
essential in war percussion may need. We
have seen specimen of the caps and they fully the
in view Prof Emons has also suggested the mode Of
manufacturing any quantity the right sort of powder.
This is beginning of enterprises by Southern people to