The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-03
TORPEDOES.
UBOOM! BOOM! SLAP, BANGP
Experiments with the Internal Ma
chimes at Newport
Dynamite, Nitro-Glycerine
and Gun Cotton.
Their Gentle Forces Combined with
Satisfactory Results.
ARTIFICIAL FOUNTAINS MOUNTAINS HIGH
ALI The Different Schools Of TOrpedOeS Display
Their PrOWeSS.

instructive everything seemed 10 laFOI bS9VS
and assist the officers in the exhibition. The hour
named was eleven O'clock and by that time the heavy
threatening clouds which had been hanging
over the town since daybreak were swept
away by gentle southeaserly breeze. The
sun shone forth and revealed the old historic town
nestled amid the hills the opposite shore like gem
OF the ocean The waters Of the harbor were as still as
an inland Lake
short historical sketch Of the station and the work
It is prosecuting might be amiss this connection,
as outside of professional circles little nothing IS
known Of torpedoes or their use.
SKETCH TORPEDO STATION.
The Naval Torpedo Station established about five
years ago under the auspices of Rear Admiral Case
then Chief OF Naval Ordnance. 1t was located at Goat
Island in Newport Harbor, which transferred from
the War Department to the Navy for that purpose
Commander Mathews was placed in charge and num-
Der OF officers ordered assist in the organiza-
ton The services OF eminent electrician Professor
Farmer who stands the head of his profession in this
country were secured, and also those of Professor W.
N. Hill, an expert chemist who has devoted much Of
his attention to the chemistry Of explosives
z machine shop and laboratory were built and other
convenences located for carrying on the experiments
system of instruction instituted and number OF
navy officers ordered each year for training. From
these small beginnings the place has developed into the
perfect torpedo school in the world and the gov
eminent does well to foster and encourage its growth
for the perfection Of the knowledge Of that most ormid
able modern weapon OF warfare
OF the officers ordered here from year 10 year 1t is
not expected that all will become expert scientists but
all have opportunity to become familiar with the
torpedo systems Of the day and to know how to handle
the instruments employed well to judge Of their
efficiency, both for offence and defence. Those who
the greatest aptitude and interest retained
for further instruction and to become in turn instruc
tors Of others. Thus the service is benefited much
progress made besides and spirit Of emulation is in
culcated.
The whole subject Of torpedoes is OF course,
essentially, II not entirely, naval question: since they
solely designed either ground orpedoes-that is,
subaqueous mines for the defence of channels against
the entry Of heetsas movable locomotive torpedoes
TO assa ships the high seas in conjunction with
fixed defences, such forts, distractions &C, tenn
porarly to bar the entry to harbor Therefore,
the government has wisely devoted itself literally to
the education Of its officers experts in this
business and has given every encouragement 70 inven
tors with view developing the most perfect torpedo
systems
The graduga introduction OF torpedo vessels into
heets the general emotion which the appearance Of
these terrible engines has created the attention with
which naval officers of all countries watch the progress
Of this arm, offensive power, and the com
plete revolution which they will probably produce in
naval tactics, sufficient for rendering the
study of torpooes not only necessary but attractive to
officers OF all navies
The role that the torpedo is destined to play in the
defence of country having large extent of coast to
protect like our own point OF the greatest interest
to all, and which deserves mature consideration.
We cannot foresee what torpedoes will become, but
their is already rendered practicable that all
ships in service both small and great fast and slow
are provided with these weapons They are intended
both for attack and Defence and in all impor
and OF great moral effect against vessels intending
TO ram or board. They are useful for defending
ships at anchor, blowing up other torpedoes and OBJ
sructions in channels in night boat attacks, &C., and
any experience that will famarIze officers with their
must be important practical knowledge OF cleo
Ericy and of the chemistry OF explosives absolutely
necessary to enable prepare and manipulate tor
pedoes inelligently All this and much it is the
intention of the Torpedo School to teach.
Schools of this nature have been established by all
the principal naval Powers Of the world and in all Of
them secrecy is observed with regard to their
sentia operations and developments But governments
always find the Of informing themselves Of each
others doings Nowhere this rule Of secrecy
strictly carried than here; therefore it would be
neither expedent desirable for your correspondents
70 indulge in minute details technical explanations
OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE ToRPEDoEs.
Torpedoes divided into two great classes-oensive
and defensive The first includes every class Of device
designed for the active attack ofvesses whether arranged
at the end Of a spar boom attached TO suitable
vessel to be carried board ship thrown or
launched with view Of acting against a vessel in chase
and exploded by electricity mechanically, when in
actual with her. be for the attack ola
vessel at anchor. Instruction in all such appliances
worthy Of use is part of the regular course at the
Torpedo Station also practice in the demolition Of
torpedoes and the practical of apparatus adapted
for searching for and carrying of an enemys mines
and defence Of vessels against mines Of every class
whether stationary or drifting
THE SPAR TORPEDO.
To the offensive class belongs the spar torpedo, at
sprescnt issued to all vessels of the navy This is
cast iron cylinder, with spherical ends containing
hundred pounds Of powder and attached 10 the ex-
tremty of hickory spar forty Eve feet long and about
eight inches In diameter The other end Of the spar Is
secured by Of a link and shackle TO the ships
side BY OF guys IL DO rugged out or in at
pleasure and the torpedo Is fred by electricity. All
launches in the service are also lifted with an apparatus
for spar tOrpedoea
Admiral Porer's torpedo boat, the Alarm, possesses
the perfect development Of the outrgger torpedo
She is fitted with three long hollow metallic bars one
ahead and one on either side. These are capable OF
being rugged In out BY steam, through watertight
valves in the skin OF the ship below the water line.
When rugged In the torpedo is readily attached 10 the
outer end and when out Il Is fred by electricity al the
will Of the operator
LAYS AND ERrcssoS's roRPEpoEs
belong 10 the offensive class and they both repre-
scented at the TORPEDO Station They have been much
improved within tho past few years, and the latest
specimens Of these formidable weapons seem 10 be all
that could be desired
ROCKET ToRPRDoRs
The subject OF submarine guns rocket torpedoes
has Of late attracted great attention here and the Naval
Ordnance Bureau has been 10 considerable expense in
preparing facilities for exhaustive experiments 10 this
direction No experiments OF this nature seem as yet
10 have been made upon sufficiently large scale 10
draw any decided concusions and is confidently OK
peced that remarkable results may be obtained seems
quite likely that an effective substitute for the spar
torpedo may DO thus developed and ono which can be
discharged by Of small charge Of powder from
a light breech.oading firing tube, which can be
mounted 10 battery below the water line on board
almost any vessel
DErfvsrvy roRPEDoEs
arc those which used 70 posk up tne enamel OF