The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-07

was done by the Shenandoah the highest column
OF water was thrown by the Colorado, and the
most picturesque water grotto took shape from the
explosion by the Brookiyn's torpedo.
DIscoUNrING AN EARTHQUAKE
The wabash Lieutenant Bradford torpedo OF
ficer exploded only one OF her three torpedoes on
the first circle. 1t was the one rugged on the star
board quarter. l was standing In the mzzen top
with several officers OF the ship, and we were all
drenched. The sensation was very unpleasant-it
was something decidedly unearthy. The good
ship Wabash trembled in every timber. The shock
was far greater than double broadsIde from both
tiers OF guns. After all the vessels had passed the
Wabash returned again to the fray and the tor
pedoes on the bow and abeam were exploded. A
solid column OF water was In each instance thrown
higher than the top OF the mainmast Tons OF
water descended on the deck and on the awnings
which had been spread over the poop deck. 1t is
very doubtful whether such shocks do vessels OF
the Wabash's size any good
The Congress- whose torpedo officer was Lieu
tenant Commander Sampson, nred her charge at
the proper moment, directly under the raft; bat,
owing to the lateral explosion. although the raft
was lifted high into the air. it not destroyed.
The Ticonderoga's torpedo, under charge OF Lieu
tenant Houston, was exploded too soon The spar
was not under the raft, and no effect was OBJ
servable
The Canandaigua on account of some derange
ment OF the galvanic current, could not explode
her torpedo on first passing the raft; but Lieu
tenant De Blois repaired the faulty spot and dis
charged his torpedo at the fragment OF raft which
then remained.
The Ossipee had the same i'll fortune at first;
but Lieutenant Rich made AMENDS alterward by
rigging out his torpedo second time and ex-
plodng it In the most approved style.
naIn aJnsSf aaA of
Lieutenant LongnecKer, was in perfect working
order. solid column Of water rose IKE one of
Cleopatras needles to height Of fully $50 feet,
and seemed to settle right back into the hole which
it left without dissolving into spray as gener
ally noticeable. The explosion sadly deranged the
raft and the spar became entangled with it to such
an extent rs to require cutting loose.
The Brooklyn, whose commander has lately been
at the head of the torpedo school, did the work
assigned IL in very neat shipshape way. There
were no delays. Lieutenant De Long manipulated
the electric Key and although the raft was in tow
Of the Colorado the time. discharged his torpedo
at the exact spot and at the proper moment. Only
one OF her three torpedoes was fired.
The torpedo on the Wachusett, in charge Of Lieu
tenant COrnwell, tossed barrel as high as the
mainmast. Fortunately IL fell cupboard.
The Kansas was a general favorite and great eX-
pectations, only partially realized, enter
tanned Of her. Lieutenant Stone did well, arriv-
\ ing so late in the line.
The Lancaster after waiting her chance, steamed
for the raft and exploded her torpedo in good
style. Lieutenant Newell had charge of the cere.
mony.
The Alaska steamed too close to the raft, so that
it passed between the torpedo lat the end Of the
SPAR and the side Of the vessel Lieutenant Per-
kins stood by the electric key, but the connection
was either broken or he deemed 1t undesirable to
discharge the torpedo. 1t was not exploded
The Shenandoah, all things considered. did the
greatest execution. Lieutenant Commander
Evans was fortunate in getting close enough.
without being too near, and the whole Of one side
OF the raft was blown to fragments.
The Franklin was not so fortunate. Lieutenant
Parker did not get close enough to damage the raft
The Fortune, whose torpedo was in charge Of her
courteous commandant Lieutenant Commander
Green. was ordered to steam at full speed. This
she did, but the resistance ofthe water great
that the torpedo was broken or from the spar,
and, consequently, was not discharged.