Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-08-18
SNisttlIanp.
The Intrepid.
Description OF the Government Torpedo
BoAt--HSr Trial Trip--How she l.
OfIicered.

The new torpedo boat, The lRtrepId.
started at eleven o'clock in the morning
on her trial trip. small number OF
invited guests being on board. The party
remained on the vessel until She passed n
point some two miles below the Boston
Light, when they embarked on the steam
launch and returned to The city. While
tie guests were in the company OF the
officers OF the Intrepid, they received all
the cOurteSies common TO such IN Occa
sion. They were shown about the YES
sci. aud had the functions of the various
parts OF interest explained TO them. An
excellent collation. w&S also served, and
thoroughly appreciated The boat worked
satisfactorily. The engines running easily,
lut not driving the boat ahead al The rate
Of speed that had been Prophesied. The
boat has two propelieIS, by means OF
which che is enabled To turn easily, a
valuable feature in a boat designed sOg
such a special work IS the Intrepid
Much TO the disappointment OF many. and
20 The evident weakening Of the power
Of the vessel. the original plan OF running
the torpedo loaded beam from Nu
opening under the ran, has been reliu'
qvi,hed. The plan now 10 be put into
practice is that which Naval Constructor
llauscomb proposed. OF exploding The
deadly missiles by means OF spans run out
from the bows %! the vessel. The ,orPc
does are 10 be attached 10 the ends OF
these sparS, which sre % be pushed out
e: some distance irem The vessels side
and by the use Of delicate appliances tic
torpedo i exploded in contact With the
object OF attack. This plnn exposes The
men TO danger, which the other plan
avoids. and hence. % = great degree,
arises ihc dissatisfaction. The vessel i
remarkably neat. and wonderfully strong
Of build. She Is almoS, entirely made o,
iron; her hull IS covered with \ plating
I'VE inches in thickness, srd her sideS
shove water are covered Nth shec,ing
Of iron one inch in thickness. Pic hal.
/, strongly made, on new plan, and is
divided into compartments in such =
manner that should shot penetrate her
in any place below the water line only
so much water Is the compartment forced
by the shot viii bold can possibly enter
her. The compaSses did not work to the
satisfaction Of the officers, and it Is.
doubtful whether they ever will, as they
are affected by the magnetic influence OF
The iron by which they arc surrounded.
Amer the guests len, the Intrepid pro
ceeded on her way to Newport, where, a.
The torpedo station At Goat Island. she
will be given into The hands OF expert
cuced workmen. and be finally put in
readiness Tor sea. This boa, will no doubt
create a sensation " herevcr She i only
the second of the Kind that has been built
by this Government. and no foreign
Government has ANYTHING that at al.
approaches her The officers and crew
have been selected with great caIc, and
are all men OF experience who can be
trusted TO do their duty under trying
circumstances. The crew numbers fifty
five men. and there are no marines ou
board The officers ale rs follows: \
=. Cook. commander; \. 5 Barker,
Lieulenau,-Commauder and Executive
Officer; John Lowe, Chief Engineer; ".
A. Windsor. P. \. Engineer; G. IL Read,
Z. a. Paymaster; r d. Taylor, p. y.
Engineer; a. H. Fletcher. Lieutenant
w. ". Kimball, Master; NJ F. Wright.
Master; NJ. c. Dimrock, Ensign.