The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-10
A NEW TORPEDO VESSEL,

Among other curiosities in naval architect.
ure which Messrs. Yarrow Il Hediey, OF
London, have turned ont from their estab-
hshmeat is new torpedo vessel, which has
attracted some attention in London. She is a
small craft, long and slim, with raking fun
mel amidsbips and a top-heavy bowsprit,
along which run mysteriou, wires, protruding
from her bows. The torpedo carried at the
end of pole projecting from the bow is in
tended for sudden attack or for chasing the
enemy. The torpedo pole, with the torpedo
secured at the end, is lowered at will under
| the SUFFICE of the water when the boat is
| going into action, and the moment it comes
| into contact with the sides of the enemy's
ship the explosion takes place
OF course, the results of the explosion de-
pend upon the composition Of the torpedo
and its size; but one important fact connected
with it is that as the explosion occurs at the
instant of actual contact with the 'skin" OF
the ship, the effect is far greater than if any
intervening space Of water existed It is said
to have been found that for usual charges, if
the explosion takes place ten feet below the
surface of the water whilst the pole projects
some twenty-five feet from the bows, 10
danger need be appehended to the launch if
well-built and sldlltuly handled. In the pres
ent case the torpedo is exploded not by per-
cussion but by electricity, and as the electric
circuit is completed by contact with the
enemy, the advantage of the percussion system
in causing explosion at the exact moment is
OBJ aimed, whilst at the same time the galvanic
battery placed in the launch can be connected
or disconnected at pleasure
In going into action the crew are protected
from rifle shots by suitable sliding shields of
steel. The present launch is SIS in length, by
seven feet beam, and built throughout of
LoHmoor iron and steel She is partially
decked, and propelled by pair Of high-pres-
sure engines, indicating 60 horse power, and |
can attain such speed as to accomplish |
continuous run Of 20 miles in five hours |
Her builders state, that they are prepared to |
construct launches for torpedo service Of 100 |
feet long with the extraordinary speed of %
miles an hour. The torpedo Itself is made of |
stout copper capable Of containing G6 pounds
OF dynamite gun-cotton equal to 300 pounds
Of gunpowder) or other explosive. It is az
ranged to fire electrically, both by contact |
and at will.
The front part Of the torpedois fitted with
4 contact circuit closer, two insulated wires.
which pass through the charge in the torpedo,
q connection with the battery in the boat
The electric platinum fuse is attached to the
,eturn wire III the center Of the torpedo
;harge, ard an extra wire is attached to the
eturn wire a little forward of the fuse. This
wire Is also connected with the battery, and
las attached to it a hand circuit closer for
irng at will, both the contact and hand cir
nit closers aching on the same fuse. The
land circuit closer consists of O small ebonite
ylinder, with spring, which only needs to
re pressed down III order to effec. an explo-
lon, the result of which would be to blow a
ole five feet square in Ship sheathed with
ne-inch iron. Altogether, if equal to her
romlse, very dangerous floating enemy.