The New York herald., 1872-10-20
WASHING ON.
Invention of a New System Of Ter
pedoes for Harb0r Defenccs.
THE MEXICAN CLAIMS COMPRESSION.
The Chief Causes Of Steamboat Disasters
Explained by the Board Of
Supervising Inspectors.

WASHINGTON, Oct 10 1872.
A Now Torpedo System for Coast De-
fence.
The War Department has information OF new
and IN some respects peculiar system OF harb0r and
coast defence invented by E. o. Rudebeck, a Swed-
1sh engineer. II is claimed for 1t that 1t offers
obstruction to trade and is free from danger to
vessels engaged in defence. IL consists OF sys-
tenn oftorpedo tewcrs for the outer harbor and OF
vertically ascending torpedoes and bottom mines
for the inner channels. The torpedo towers are
cylindrical, with conical or cupolashaped roof,
and they rest upon PIERS masonry or the natural
bottom according to circumstances. They are in
visible to the enemy, their upper surfaces being
several feet under the water. The towers con-
sist of several stories, and the t0rpedoes
are arranged in each story and are
projected horizontally by spring. electro
magnetism or any motive power. In the centre OF
the tower vertical channel affords communica-
tiOn between the several stories. The officers
charged with the defence stationed in case
mates ranged on the side OF the harbOr. Electric
cables are laid from each casemate to the towers
md on the approach of an enemy's vessel the
angle which its course makes with line drawn
from the casemate to the tower is telegraphed to
the oficer in the latter This determines which OF
the torpedOes shall be projected. The embrasures
Of the towers are protected by shutters, which
70 arranged as to open the moment the torpedo is
projected and to close again Immediately after
wards The electromagnetic machinery is said to
be very simple. Where It's necessary to use mines
u has been shown by several experiments that
very small quantity of dynamite IS necessary to
sink an iron-clad, when exploded within three feet
Df the vessels side.
The inner harbor is defended under this system
by tOrpedoes that ascend rapidly from the bottom
protected hOriZOnfall and arc irod nv
electricity. In order to protect them from destruc
tiOn by the enemy they are collected below the
deck OF submerged pOntOons which are furnished
with machinery for projecting them either verti-
cally or horizontally. BY this device the inventor
believes that he has overcome all danger OF having
the torpedoes dragged out or exploded by the
enemy. One or both systems may be employed,
according to the formation and condition OF the
coast and hArbOr
The Mexican Claims COmmissi0n.
The statement In the HERALD Of October I, that q
new Commissioner would be appointed by the
Mexican government In the place of Mr.. Guzman
On the Joint Claims Commission, is likely to be con-
hrmed at very early day. 1t is well known that
there Is no time to be lost; for, unless an exten-
sion Of time is further agreed upon between the
two governments, the Commission expires on Feb
ruary l, 1873 AS will be remembered, the difficulty
arose in respect OF what is known as the 'Indan
uepreuatlOn" caSeS-nearly f0uf hundred IN num-
ber-and that both Mr.. Wadsworth, the Commits
sioner OF the United States and Mr. Ashton, the
agent contended that the action of Mr.. Guzman
was an attempt to take an unfair advantage of an
act OF courtesy, Mr.. Guzman, however, insisted
that the assent to his examining the papers in
those cases was equivalent to resembling the order
referring them to the UMPIRE Notwithstanding the
order was made in May and the arguments had
been submitted some time before he had taken his
seat as Commissioner. There is reason to believe
that Mr.. Palaco, the late Commissioner on the part
OfMexic0 did not in any respect agree with the
assertions OF Mr.. Guzman, and that he advised his
government OF the irregularty of the latters pro-
ceedings. Some facts have just come to light which
show the ground taken by the United States in the
matter and are OF interest 1t is held, in the first
place, that Mr.. Guzman had no authority whatever
TO interfere with the regular proceedings Of the
Commission at date before his duties Com
missioner had begun, and that his action
was a violation OF the treaty and unbecoming in
his character as Commissioner. He had, in fact,
undertaken to say what claims should be pre-
, sented and to nullify order OF the Commission
made at an official session, and in the due form OF
its. proceedings, at time preceding his entry on
duty as Commissioner. He had In this way made
himself an obstacle to carrying out the provisions
of the treaty. and either a change must be made or
the treaty fail. Unless the Mexican government
noted their disapproval OF his conduct by super
eedlng him by more acceptable officer the treaty
could not be carried out, and it would be useless
: 10 entertain any proposition for an extension of
time to adjust the claims between the
s-two countries. Mr.. Guzman by his con-
/; duct had virtually ceased to act and
/ If it was desired to appoint new
commissioner In his place, the appointment could
ybe made under the treaty upon that ground. 1t is
3nnderstood that these views were communicated
NO the Minister OF the United States at Mexico and
shat directions were given to insist upon the ap-
pointment OF successor to Mr.. Guzman without
. aalay, unless there was an evident intention on
he part of the Mexican government not to go fur
q YER in the settlementof OF the claims. There Is no
t Ubt, however, that Minister Nelson, now return
in, from Mexico, has brought with him assur-
AM es that acceptable officer will be named in
Mr.. Guzman's place, and that the Mexican govern
men will not only assent to but request an ex-
tensh III OF the time now fixed as the expiration OF
tne c. Gnmisson.
The lizard of Supervising Inspectors ON
Steamboat Disasters.
The s, pervising Inspector General OF Steamboats,
Mr. Mimi NO, having examined the evidence in the
case OF tn eseamer oceanus reports that no action
seems to required by the department in view OF
the fact tn " the boat was burned to the waters
edge. and snk in thirty feet OF water and all her
licensed OH srs were drowned except the Chief
Engineer wi ~ was exonerated from all blame.
The immediat cause OF the explosion the con-
e.ussion caused ,by the boat striking the bar. Mr..
william Rogers, the Supervising Inspector at New
orleans, who ondncted the investigation, pre-
sents valuable in torn iaton in regard to the subject
OF boiler explosions son Western rivers and the
yneapg,to be proyded,for their prevention The first
0f the general causes stated Is the accumulation
Of mud and sediment in the boilers, causing the
fre surfaces to be burned, and thus weakening the
strength 1of the Plates. The second general cause
as stated Us the strain due TO change in the bear
ing OF the ,boer resulting from the change OF the
sorms OF wes tern boats, caused by loading and IN
loading The.e subjects VIII engage the attention
OF the departn ,ent and the Board OF supervising