The New York herald., 1865-01-09
NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, JANUARY .. 1865.

and accidentally One OF the largest OF the Tripotar
rigates was observed day 10 DO missing and twC
others were being hauled ashore Many contended thai
their injury was the result OF the oonousson but
explosion took paoe without the harbor and very great
distance on there Is great deal doubt upon tho pon
One thing Is certain howcver-no damage whatever was
done TO the masonry Of tho Bashaw's castle
THE TORPEDO OF BASQUE ROADS.
Five years later tho English made use Of torpedo In
the harbor OF Rocheo wherein tho French vessels had
taken refuge and where they were rendered
by heavy boom anchored the mouth OF the
row channel This boom composed OF heavy spars
iashed together with cables and secured by anchors
Admiral Dundonald lord Cochrane) undertook TO re-
move this barrier by means Of powder ship or a. Il
was called an explosion boat in to the
freshps then frequently used Although the object
was ofected BY different vessel-the Mediator--which
ran down the obstruction It Is interesting tho pre-
sent connection to the history the Admras pro-
ject When tho signal for the advance had been given
he ran In with the Impericuse until no Judged no
was sufficiently near, when he went aboard
the explosion brig with lieutenant and gigs crew
Having adjusted the arrangements for firing her during
which time she had approached quite the BOOM
no again entered his gig and had proceeded but short
distance when the explosion took place. The brig had
not reached the boom and effect produced upon IT,
Immediately succeeding the explosion large wave rolled
out to sea and WINS felt at distance The Admiral
In his small boat suddenly lowered, he describes
it, to the bottom Of abyss in the water whoreir no
expected nothing less than tho overwhelming OF his little
craft and the certain destruction Of himself crew.
OF tho after results Of the explosion whether had
demorazing effect upon the French, whether the
simple removal of the boom ended all hopes or the
within the roads for future safety II is difficult to deter
mine the particular The English In their attack
aided by the then new Congrcve rockets, which,
with the fire ships, combined with the terrific shock from
the powderb.g, inspired tho French with such fear
that they beached most OF their vessels while tho rest
fell prey to theiy antagonists
The most curious feature in connection with this cpl
sode Is the view taken Of Dundonalds action by many
writers in the English journals OF the tmc who styled
assassn's work, fit for the hands Of an English
sailor Their remarks apply more particularly to the
reshps into the hnrbor by Dundonad for the burn
ing and destruction Of the enemy's vessels At the
same time articles appeared condemning the Of all
such machines In warfare and the terms s'infcrna y
Are DEVILS" 'catamarans,n ''water worms" and the
like Unfortunately applied to all tho torpedoes
during this The people indeed seemed think
1t dshonorable to fight enemy in any other than the
usual above board manner.
r Wg THE WILMINGTON TORPEDO.
Last and greatest OF all is the torpedo used in the a
prosch 70 Fort Fisher the details of whose employ
is so fresh In the minds Of the public The amount Of
powder used this occasion exceeds any previous
tuy and Of it's effects those best authorized to speak
still in donbta doubt which the end of the only
dspe II is unnecessary here 10 reerate the opinion Of
Commander Rbnd. Suffice II TO say that he believes his
project perfectly capable OF success and that the end
OF tho rebellion be has,ened by monster orpcdoes