The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-08-12
4 -FOUR.CORNERED SHIP.
Something New in Naval ArchItec.
ture.
From, fba london Naus lima oefb

From the London News, June 26th.
A party of gentlemen running down to
Gray's Station yesterday, to inspect a 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
tue kind of craft whose whereabouts he
wished to fiud, and the man, frightening
up. hit at last IN the expression, "Oh, it's
that fo~ur-cornered thing, is it?"
This novel invention we will attempt to
describe, leaving the reader to form his
own opinion as to its merits. The inven-
ton, being to a great extent al innovation,
and so far, IN the ewes OF many, revolution
arv. willsbe pIentifully 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 some of u lead
ing steam services, andhe has in his retire
ment conceived, and at his own cost pro-
duced, this model, which many distinguish
ed naval authHorties have pronounced a
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 telegraphic com
muRication between ocean-parted~ countries.
Practically, by means of his ships, he
would divide a 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
ton, where the injurious effects of oscilla.
ton and friction would be reduced to q
minimum. Here, of course, arises the es-
sential question SIS 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 tumultuous of seas. The
four equal projections or rays proceed from
a circular deck in the centre, which is pro.
tected by iron bulwsrks sloping outwards
By means ofclearing valves and water tight
compartments her b~uoyancy is said to be
certainty, and her capsizing or sinking an
utter impossfbility. The vessel is con.
structed to defect the wave as they
strike, and the casting out of four anchors
is relied upon as holding her against the
worst tempest. Asmall model ~ feet from
ray to raw was placed at Southeud last
year, and Eloyd's agent there report d tina
it rode out a heavy storm and tremendous
sea without shipping d pint of water, al
though it was fastened only by a very small
piece of fshermans bass. One of the party
Yesterday was a merchant captain of long
! experience, and he, though at first predju,
| diced against the vessel, bore testimony
This thing would ride safely When
everything else 1 have seen would
f Yunder." The model off Grays is
80 feet from ray TO ray. There is q
light and unusually airy cabin below, 20 #.
in diameter. The vessel draws but twelve
inches of water, and if she we're made So
IT. fromiray to ray, which the inventor con.
siders would be the proper dimensions for
q fuIl-sized telegraph station, the draught
wonld be only 2! #. The strange boat sail
ed well, being fitted with p sliding keel and
rudder, answered its helm with perfection,
gave comparatively little motion in swell,
ard stayed and weared as the helmsman re-
quired. The breeze, it should be added.
was very light, but the skipper stated that
the capacities OF the craft would be still
better brought u in a stiff wind.
The principle once admitted, there is
hardly a limit TO its application. Capt.
Moody's scheme includes: First-Floating
batteries for harbors, rivers, and roadsteds,
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 q postoffice. or s~torehouse,
or rendezvous for aid of various kinds,
including life boats built OF the
same principle as the station itself. Third
"A lighthouse fixed upon a tower, mast,
or tripod, raised from the centre of gravi'
ty, which the inventor declares he can car.
~ from 60 to 100 feet high without detri.
ment to the telegraphing department.
These are the navel ideas which Captain
Moody. at great personal expense, has en-
bodied in his acknowledgement 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.