The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-27

it imposes the necessity for great vigilance,
promptness, experience. and harmonious co
operation on the part OF the operators. ~ - 's9
napplcable at night OF in thick weather. ana
might even fail under the dense smoke OF not
action. more generally efficient plan Is thaJ
of contact-exploding torpedoes, wflch are eltner
exploded by their collision with ship, or by
tire vessel striking q crcuit-closing arrangement
mbored near the surface OF the water where
upon either the torpedo, moored at some depth
beneath, is instantly exploded, or signal is fur
nished to a station on shore, which indicates to
an operator the particular torpedo to be fred,
and when to fire 1t. 1t is essential in this ar
rangement to adopt plan which, while sensi-
tive to the passage OF q vessel, shall not be
disturbed by the simple action of the waves
These conditions include the necessity for sim
plicity of mechanism and a combination of
sufficient but not excessive delicacy of action
With permanence during long immersion; but the
problem, though difficult, is not insoluble and
one or two plans have been suggested which
appear to satisfy the required ends. 1t seems to
have been established that voltaic electricity is,
OF all the means available for the purpose, the
one which presents the greatest advantages.
And the substitution for the old platinum wire
fuse of the Abel fuse, in which the electric
spark is generated by the interrupted passage of
the current through printing material of sub
sulphide of copper, subphosphide of copper and
chlorate of pOtassa, permits of the use of cleo
trio batteries which were before inapplicabe.
and OF the explosion OF torpedoes with perfect
certainty at distances before unattainabe. In-
deed, the introduction of this fuse has rendered
possible the development of torpedo science
which has now been attained. The batteries
may be OF the simplest character, and a very
efficient one can be readily eXtemporized with
piece of hard timber, little zinc and copper
sheet, an old blanket, some vinegar and common
salt battery of this sort, weighing only %
pounds, and about y inches square, will re-
main in good action for at least twenty-four
hours, and can be easily cleaned and recharged
Such battery, from its small size, weight and
great simplicity, is especially well adapted for
boat operations
The explosive agent to be employed in torpe-
does may be gunpowdcr, nitro-glycerine, gun
cotton. Of these, gun-cotton is on many ac-
counts preferred: and since the recent discoveries
as to the susceptibility of gun-cotton to explosion
by conclusive effect and the great resulting in
crease of power, its normal advantages have be-
come more decided. There still remain a vast
number of points. such as the nature of case or
envelope to be employees its thickness; the depth
to which the torpedo should be sunk: the posi-
tons in which it should be fixed; the proximity
of one torpedo to another; the size, form, etc.
The bare enumeration of these points will suffice
to indicate that the subject is one which admits
of an immense deal of working out, and will. per-
haps, account for the length of time occupied in
its investigation.
As to the practical value of torpedoes we have
furnished some illustrations. But, in truth it is
unnecessary to multiply illustrations for the
value of these instruments may almost be re-
garded as self-evident There are two points in
every ship absolutely unprotected the deck and
tne DOtJOln. VI tlleS tne torpedo attacks one
the bottom. And it is a question if any ship can
ever be made so strong us to resist the effect of
a powerful submarine mine exploding directly
under it. The use of torpedoes is not limited to
serving auXiliaries to forts, or as Il means of
keeping vessels under the fire of batteries. They
are useful also on their own account, as means
of defending positions independently on a coast
or in small channels and rivers which are quite
unprovided with defensive works. Their invis-
bility forms another element of their Importance
to which we may add their comparatively small
cost and ready applicability to almost all posi-
tions. But 1t is necessary to guard against the
impression that torpedoes are destined to super
sede other and more old-establshed means
of defense, as ships and forts and guns. In
valuable as auXiaries, and even as independent
means of defense, their value is limited by two
considerations. In the first place, the sphere of
action of torpedo is small, as compared with
that of a fort or ship exceedingly small and an
attacking vessel is safe long it contrives or
chances TO keep outside that area of destructive
effect. In the second place, no torpedo can act
moretHln once, and when it has exploded, the
area OF water which it guarded becomes defense
less. But with these limitations their value can
hardly be over-estimated and it is satisfactory
TO know that the subject has been thoroughly
and practically considered and that we possess
on paper at any rate scheme for their use so
complete as to relieve Us from all anxiety on
this score. 1t would, however, be more satisfac-
tory still to know something definite as to the
recommend datlons OF the committee, and we
hope that some member will think proper to ask
in the House for such portions OF the report as
can be discreetly made public.