The New York herald., 1864-04-20
The TOrpedO Vessel.


eTRAEGE AND sTARTLiNG DEvEL0PMKNTs-A TOR
pgDO VESSEL SOLD TO THE RRBELs-sHB BLOWS
UP THE Observation-Disclosures OF THE INVENTOR
IN THIS C1Y-HE IS SENT TO FORr'LAFAYKTTE
ETC., ETC.
Afew days since il was announced that torpedo vessel
would blow Up vessel near tho Navy Yard BoookIyn.
but, owing 10 storm, the experiment was post
poned until the LIST Of this month"; when quite number
d persons went TO the affair but not man can be
found who anything of the old hulk or the torpedo
vessel report circulated, however, that Mr.
Guider the builder Of the torpedo boat made trial OF
mis- submarine boat of the Navy Yard, and remained
under the water upwards Of nine hours, axng TO the
the old sloop Extra two torpedoes. The per-
lock Of the rst torpedo containing fifty pounds
x powder, was exploded, but owing TO some defective
communications the powder not ignited. The second
torpedo contained one hundred pounds OF powder, with
three percussion locks In attempting to FIRE the charge
q powder the wire OF the spool and
expulsion took place. The sloop then owed TO Bush
wick creek where at low tide she could be
with the two torpedoes attached 10 her bottom. The
s,ocp was not blown up, owing TO defective torpedoes.
Tie company for whom this boat was built for fifteen
thousand dollars, have accepted her, and she will proba
bly, be used in future naval operations. She fifty feel
long manned by twenty five men, and moves by
Il propeller turned by hand
II also reported that on prevcrs occasion this
sorpedo vessel made trip around the light ship having
remained under the water nineteen hours, and the
crew OF twenty Eve men suffered Inconvenience in
breathing during that tme such stories as these
calculated to interest in certain quarters and
Chief Engineer W W. W. Wood, Of the United states
Navy nierogated OF this great vessel
found him DO ignorant of tho first principles OF
submarine navigation, not knowing the composition OF
she atmosphere Or 10 fact any OF the vital requirements
Il vessel Of that description. Mr. Wood could not End
any oBe who had ever seen the vessel, although Mr..
Gu,der stated that she had lain Newtown creek for
considerable time. we have seen other persons who
xnow of Mr. Guider and what he has said Of his vessel
but who do not believe HIM bis story OF his subna
Invention Only one Of the Of twenty i've men
be found who VIII come forward and say there any
Mr.. Guder stated that he built ore some months since
and offered TO the United States who refused
have anything 70 do with IT, We know hs 70 be The
but Mr. Guder further asserted that after gov
refused 10 accept her parties along who
fought ber gold her that these people
Immediately took possession OF her and naviga,cd her 70
Charleston passing 10 among our feet and reaching The
city in safety and that il was this vessel that blew up
the United States steam sloop Housatouc These facts
coming owege OF the authorities detectives
immediately put upon the track and II is said that Mr.
have an opportunity mediate upon the loose way
no has talked about his affairs. Guidcr ID ship
carpenter by trade, and from oil we can learn, either
crazy hc dangerous person 10 be allowed to DO
Hdrft. .rr IFEh.
There we're parties 10 this city Of wealth and standing,
who anxious that these should succeed
they were 10 have purchased the vessel and offered
her services 70 tho government FOR operations IN the
vessel or plans OF bor until she bad blown up the Old
hulk, when company was TO nave been organized and
She vessel prepared for service ~ is curious AFFAIR
from beginning 10 end and wrapped in mystery that
To