Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-12-03

The N. Y. Post gives the following descrip-
- A. tornedo vessel Stramholi.

The N. Y. Post gives the following descrip.
ton Of the torpedo vessel Sramboli:
We now come to a vessel the principles Of
which have been thoroughly tested, and found
TO work even better in practice than in theory
the new torpedo vessel Stromboli, built by
Samuel H. Pook, at Fair Haven, from plans
and designs by Chief Engineer w. W. w.
Wood, Of the United States Navy. Wood is
at present General Inspector Of ironclads and
steam machinery in our navy Pook, one oil
the first naval architects in this country,
modelled and built the hull, which is Of wood
seventy-fye feet in length, twenty feet beam,
and seven feet deep, and constructed in the
most substantial manner, with heavy deck
beams supported by hanging knees, securely
bolted and fastened. The deck, two feet in
thickness, is crowned two feet fore and aft
and about as much athwart-ships, and is now
receiving an iron armor Of two inches in
thickness, to render it proof against shot and
shell.
The Stromboli lies very low in the water,
and when in service as a torpedo boat il
further submerged by filling water-tight tanks,
which bring her down so that scarcely any
part Of her deck is above the surface OF the
water. The only objects visible above the
deck are the pilot-house, thirty-eight inches
in hight; the smoke-stack, which is only a
trihe higher, and small ventilator, which
can be removed if desired. With such a
small surface exposed, it is doubtful II she
will ever be hit.
The general appearance Of this craft is pc
culiar. Descending through a small hatch
way, which is closed while the vessel is under
way, or in action, the visitor may see some
curious appliances. Abaft the midships is
the engine, which was built ut Mystic, Con-
necticl,, and has aIcylinder eighteen inches
in diameter and eighteen inches stroke--a
compact yet powerful affair, working the
screw at an average rate Of fifty revolutions
a minute, or about ten miles an hour. The
boiler, situated forward, is built Of extra
strength, to carry very heavy pressure Of
steam. The steering apparatus is directly
underneath the little pilot-house, and so close
to the commanding officer that he can give
the nelmsman his orders without the use OF
bell, which might attract the enemy's atten-
ton. In the bow Of the vessel is the torpedo
machine, which, for obvious reasons, cannot
now be fully described. Yet we are per-
mitted to indicate the general plan of opera
ton in order to give an idea OF the invention.
The crew Of the vessel consists OF three
engineer officers, one pilot and nine firemen
and coal-heavers-a force abundantly able to
do all the work required of them. When a
vessel is to be destroyed the torpedo craft
steams boldly out, and, as she approaches
her victim, she is settled in the water so as
to present but little surface to the shot which
may be directed at her. Nearing the doomed
vessel, torpedo, charged with from sixty to
two hundred pounds Of powder, is placed in
torpedo basket" which is attached to q
long arm running through stufhng- box.
This basket is now inside Of a water-tight
box, with lid or cover, which is opened
when the torpedo is placed in position. This
having been done, the cover is screwed down,
the gate at the bow of the vessel is opened
and the arm is run out for a distance of about
thirty feet. The vessel now rapidly ap-
proaches her intended victim, and passing
close alongside the torpedo is detached from
the basket, the arm is withdrawn, and at the
instant desired the charge explodes, causing
the instant destruction OF the vessel. The
torpedo vessel receives none of the shock.
The method of constructing the torpedo IS
a secret. 1t is sufficient, however, to know
that this is not one OF the many experiments
which have failed to produce valuable results:
In no instance has this invention been found
deficient in power or quickness Of execution.
The advent of this new class Of vessels
marks another era in naval warfare, and Eu-
ropean naval officers who have an mixing OF
this affair are very much exercised over the
matter. The torpedo attachment is now in
course of application to about twenty vessels
Of our navy, exclusive Of the feet Of picket
boats lately constructed BY the Navy Depart
ment, under the superintendent Of Captain
c. S. Boggs. The Stromboli and her torpe-
L. ii 10 ID
peculiar service, when we shall probably
demonstrate to the world that we have the
best and most destructive naval war machine
aAnat