Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-08-11
4 FOUR-CORNERED SHIP.
Something New I'm Naval Architec
From the London News, June 9sth.


A party of gentlemen running down to
Gray's Station yesterday, TO inspect new
model floating on the Thames, were Tor
some time unable 10 convey to the railroad
porter an idea which would strve him to
guide the excursionists to the spot they
sought The chief of the party explained
the kind of craft whose whereaboutshe
wished to find, and the man, Frightening
M, hit at las. in the expression, ''Oh, It's
that four -cornered thing, IS 1t
This novel invention we will attempt to
describe. leaving the reader to form his
own opinion "a to its merits. The inven-
ton. being to great extent an innovation,
and so far. in the eyes OF many, revolution
arv, will be plentifuily assailed and dis
cussed: and all we propose is to provide the
materials for the cheerful occupation OF
assault. if need be, md discussion.
Captain John Moody is an old sailor who
has been connected with soma OF our lead
ING steam services and he has in his retire.
ment conceived, aud at his own cost pro-
d,1ced, this model, which many distinguish
ed naval authorities have pronounced
wonderful and invaluable thing. He
broached lis scheme before the Inventors
Institute, of which he is a member, stating
that the breakdown of the Atlantic Cable
/ first set him thinking, the upshot of his
/ thought being the conviction that floating
telegraph ships would be necessary in
order to insure perfect Geographic CON-
munication between ocean parted countries.
Practically, by means of his ships, he
would divide cable into short lengths
a plan which he contends would lessen the
diameter and weight of the cable. and
/ therefore reduce its cost as well as the ex
penses of laying. The cable would be
sunk from the centre OF the floating sta
/ tion where the injurious effects of oscllia-
ton and friction would be reduced to a
minimum. Here, of course, arises the es-
sential question as to the safety OF the GU
rious structure. In answer to this the
inventor says his vessel can be moored and
abide in the most tnmultuous of seas The
four equal projections or rays proceed from
circular deck in the centre. which Is pro-
tected by iron bulwarks sloping outwards
Bv means ofclearing valves and water tight
compartments her buoyancy is said to be a
certainty, and her capsizing or sinking an
utter impossibiity. The vessel is con-
structed to defect the waves as they
strike. and the casting out of four anchors
is relied upon as holding her against the
worst tempest. a small model IL feet from
raw to raw was placed at Southead last
year. and Lloyds agent there report that
IL rode out heavy storm and tremendous
sea without shipping pint Of water. al
though it was fastened only by a very small
piece of fisbermans bass. One of the party
Yesterday was q merchant captain OF long
i experience, and he though at first predju-
diced against the vessel, bore testimony:
This thing would ride safely when
everything else / have seen would
under The model off Gravs is
30 feet from ray TO ray. There is a
light and unusually airy cabin below, 20 #.
in diameter. The vessel draws but twelve
inches of water, and if she were made 50
IT, from ray to raw which the inventor con-
siders would be the proper dimensions for
a full-sized telegraph station, the draught
would be only q IT, The strange boat sail
ed well. being fitted with II sliding keel and
rudder, answered its helm with perfection,
gave comparatively little motion IN swell,
and stayed and weared as the helmsman re-
quired. The breeze. IL should be added.
was very light, but the skipper stated that
the capacities OF the craft would be still
better brought ont in a stiff wind.
The principle once admitted, there is
hardly limit to its application. Capt.
Moody's scheme includes: First-Floating
and other situations where they may aid
established forts This was proposed be-
fore the United States Service Institution
two years ago. Second "A mid-ocean
floating station. where ships could call,
and masters communicate with their own
ers, using it as posto!fice, or storehouse,
lor rendezvous for aid of various kinds,
including life boats built on tht
same principle as the station itself Third
"A lighthouse 6xed upon a tower, mast,
or tripod, raised from the centre of gravi
", which the inventor declares he can car
Try from GO to 100 feet high without detri.
ment to the telegrsphing department.
These are the vel ideas which Captain
Moody at great personal expense, has EN-.
bodied in his floating telegraph station in
the Thames. He invites inspection and
Judgment according to strict deserts only,
and is about to make a long voyage to
prove his faith in the invention. The yes
sci is not by any means ungraeeful in ap
pearance.