The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-03

Nina came past the stand with 100 pound service
torpedo rugged to spar which was exploded
is intended substitute for the ram which is attract
ing much attention ia modern naval warfare In a
few seconds however she returned TO the charge
towing IN her wake Harvey" which she
quickly dragged against a floating RAFT and
sent everything literally sky high, creating
another panic for the small boats, that had
gradually drawn closer 10 the scene of terror fol-
lowed in rapid succession three heen FOUNDERS, which
fired by the contact OF small steam launch with
buOys containing circuit closers or peculiar con-
In connection with these experiments the circuit
Indicator designed by Lieutenant Converse was
used, which 10 be instrument
filling all required conditions for perfecting harbor
defences 1t to the officer in charge absolute in
the condition Of his cables and torpe-
does at all times II wire becomes defective broken
it sgnalled instantly by the ringing of bell which
sound kept up until the defect Is repaired II also
enables him to fire the torpedo at will when the
mys vessel does not come in contact with the circuit
closer and yet is enough, in his judgment, 10
send her 10 the bottom. AT the time all the
torpedOes be rendered safe TO a friendly vessel
their approach being merely signaed by the ringing Of
bell This being in fact the most complete apparatus
yet designed. When one torpedo is fired, however, all
others thereby disconnected from the battery for
half a minute thus rendering II impossible for ono
torpedo TO be fred by the action of another.
sEvENTY-NISR DOZEN IGNITORs GIVE A LITTLE CHORUS
The next experiment was tho Simultaneous firing of
seventy nine dozen gnitors. These were followed
again by two extemporzed torpedoes the one in old
tin oil can the other in molasses jug,
which ratified and Numbered so that the whole
Of Newport must have been affected These were con-
structed at the request Of the Secretary by Messrs
Higginson Davenport from the materials at hand,
After the experiments the cast side OF
the island Professor Hill created commotion
by exploding hundred pounds Of nitro glycerine
placed to the west Of the island five feet from the
face Of the water The shock quick and severe,
and thousands Of FISH instantly TO the surface APP
parently stunned while many others were treated to
briet aerial voyage.
Junction No. II the explosion OF twenty five
pounds Of dynamite under raft which floating on
piece Of work yet accomplished. The water
was agtated quarter of mile distant from
the raft, and the volume Of water thrown In
the air was laden with the splners which fell again
into the water like match wood The grandest spec
tace of all the last The old coast sur
vey schooner Bowdch lay quietly at anchor 800 feet
distant under bare poles Near her were a hundred
little saiboats which the steam launch was endeavor-
ing TO drive OF; beneath her however was terrific
mine consisting Of three 100-pound gunpowder torpe-
does and $50 pounds of dynamite In two others.
Professor Farmer stood at the battery and carefully
tested the wires leading TO the hulk The Secretary of
the Navy and Commandant Breeze stood by,
surrounded by a large number of their guests, and
in few seconds the word was given and the bat
teries put in operation. Mrs. Field, wife OF Judge
Field, Of the Supreme Court closed the circuit
and in an instant vast column OF water
assembled about 800 feet, followed by
and conclusion, and the timbers of the
stately blocking old craft were flying through
the air In the place where she had rested so pacidy
but a few seconds before whirlpool
spreading out Its waves and receiving the ALTERING
debris as it descended splash splash into the harbor 1t
was complete annihilaton Not enough TO make door
post scarcely left whole The hulk disappeared
like dream for the instant the explosion took place
she crushed and carried up in the form of chips in
the vast volume of water thrown by the force Of the
mine beneath
A PIECE OF GRIM HUMoR.
Professor Farmer and his assistants loudly ap
plauded, and the Secretary congratulated them their
complete success Said he ''This shows what might
be done under favorable conditions but an exhibit
ton 1t Is a success
CLAM BAKE
Indeed Of the fifty torpedoes exploded not one occa-
stoned the least trouble the arrangements
plete. The day finished by clam bake and an ele
CANT repast under O tent erected the end
Of the lawn where the batteries were; but though
political talent abounded, there was no speech-making.
The whole affair well conducted and TO the great
credit of the service and the officers engaged Tomorrow
few additional experiments will be made after which
Secretary Robson will return to Washington