The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-30

meter, with semi-spherical ends moving at q
rate of 80 It. per second under water, re-
quires constant motive force of somewhat
less than 400 lbs. Assuming, then, that,
the shell passes through 12O feet of
water, we have resistance of 120x
400=4S, 600 it. Lbs. to overcome. The mo-
tive force, it will thus be seen, is more
than "a times greater than the resistance
hence no doubt can be raised as to the
adequacy of the motive power furnished by
the UtS CfUG of the shell. It should be OBJ
served that the resistance is very great at
first, and that the speed of the shell diminishes
in very rapid ratio; but it would be futile
to present formula expressing the ratio of
speed and resistance, since the form of the
body is the chief element in the calculation
Suffice to say, that while the resistance against
blunt body is so great that it can hardly be
overcome, one provided with a sharp point
enters the water with much facility, even at
the rate of 400 feet per second. The passage
OF the shell through the water will, therefore,
be sufficiently rapid to reach the desired
object in proper time.
With reference to the gun, it should be
borne in mind that the very low speed of
the shell, and the consequent small charge
OF powder needed, render heavy metal unne-
cessary. Besides, slow burning powder
contained in cellular cartridges will be en-
ployed for the purpose of checking rapid
ignition, and in order to sustain an uniform
pressure during the discharge. The guns are
loaded from below, and for that purpose so
arranged as to admit of being depressed 60
deg. Gun carriages are dispensed with, the
trunnions being suspended by adjustable
pendulum links secured under the turret
roof. The recoil is checked by buffers at
tached to the turret wall in rear of the
breach.
L feel called upon to state, that loading
guns below deck, as here shown, was planned
by me, and drawings representing this method
exhibited in New York several years before it
was claimed by certain American engineers as
their invention
Respecting the safety of the charge in the
shell from ignition during the discharge, it
will be we'll to observe that efficient means
have been devised to prevent such an acci-
dent. With reference to the cdIibre, it is evil
dent that this system of attack calls for di-
mensions that will admit she'll of sufficient
capacity to contain charge which, by its ex-
plosion, will destroy frst-class ship of war
bullion the cellular plan. Nothing short of
300 lbs. of dynamite will suffice for this pur-
pose; hence nothing less than 15-in calibre
will answer. The American and Swedish
15-in. guns are admirably calculated for the
purpose, although they are unnecessarily
heavy.
European savans, especially certain Swe-
dish naval artillerists, who have criticised my
advocacy of the 15-inch smooth-bore gun,
will understand on looking into this matter
why have persisted in advising the Scandi-
navians to carry this large calibre in their
monitor tnrrets as the most effective weapon
against their powerful neighbors. Assuredly
the Danes will have no cause to fear the
Prussian Konig William or Frederick der
Crosse, when their ports are defended by
vessels armed with guns by means of which
800 pounds of dynamite may be exploded
under the hulls of the intruders.
The turret, it may be briefly noticed, in
which the light 15-inch shell guns are
mounted, is composed OF flat wrought-iron
plates forming square box, wide enough to
accommodate the two pieces, suspended, as
already stated, by pendulum links secured
under the turret roof. A massive central
shaft of wrought-iron supports the square
box, on the plan adopted in the monitor
turrets. The vessel designed to carry the
rotating square box with its light she'll guns
is mere iron hull crammed with motive
power, in order to insure higher speed than
that of existing iron-clad ships of war. The
midship section is triangular, and the bow
raking. The overhanging sides and deck are
heavily armored.
Permit me to add, that intend to make
formal offer, under certain stipulations to
furnish, at my own cost and risk, swift
screw vessel provided with pair of 15-inch
smooth-bore guns, and the necessary appa-
ratus for sinking, by submarine explosion,
vessel of the average draught of the iron
clad fleet of England, while such vessel is
being towed at the greatest speed possible, or
performing whatever evolutions her owner
may choose, with the distinct understanding
that the attack shall not be made at a less
distance than 500 feet ACCORDINGLY IL has
not been my purpose, on this occasion, to
enter into full description of my new sys-
tenn of submarine attack. 1t may be we'll,
however, to define clearly what the scheme is
intended to accomplish. If first-class swift
iron-clad ship, say the Devastation, unas-
sisted by other craft, will meet in open water
a vessel constructed agreeably to the new
system, it is contended that the latter will
sink the breastwork monitor in spite of her
guns and impregnable armor, and nstwith-
standing evolutions designed to avoid the
submarine missile,