The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-29

n. VISITS THE TORPEDO STATION At NEW.
poRr-ExpERIMKNTs IN EXPLODING ToRPDs
DOES pY ELEcTRIcITY-A coNvzasAT1on
WITH A DISCHARGED LABoRxR.
NEWPORT r. L., August %. 1879
This morning. Mt eleven O'Clock, Admiral Porsss
visited the torpedo station and he landed he wa
by Captain Breese, in command oil the staon anu
Lieutenant r. b. Bradford United States Navy, one Of
the Instructors In full uniform While they wore
going up the wharf salute seventeen guns was nred
About ten minutes aterward Vice Admiral C. r.
Rodgers OF the Constellation arrived at the station ID
the ships gig accompanied by Commandant Terry. o.
the Constellation and Charles H. RUSSELL OF New YORK.
After all were seated the spacious piazza OF CaptaH
Brceses residence grand torpedo salutc was nred -
honor of both the naval visitors The torpedoes wers
close shore fred by electricity ~
Lieutenant Converse United States Navy, In the Eec'
trcal building long distance from the SHORE. inc
,orpedoes were each twelve FOUNDERS Thirteen were
fired in rapid succession The first three ana the
eleventh one being planted in shallow water presented
a magnificent sight, ns they sent heavenward huge
columns Of water and loan. All tho others werc ase
success but being planted in deeper water, did mo-
throw the water high as those mentioned
ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTS
The vsi,ors aferward called at tho lecture room,
wherc the officers listened 20 lecture by PROFESSOR
Farmer on electrical teegraphy and lis principles
application to the Lay torpedo. This, no Claimed
could do seven things, and in demonstrating this Wis
his various instruments he said by changing the Keys
he could make wire do 12S things, which mado tns
visitors smile He graphically illustrated on the oack
board his practical theory IN reference 10 tniS I'm.
portant subject He ignted several fuses OF MS own
manufacture in rapid succession TO demonstrate now
quickly torpedoes could be fired in cases OF emergency.
Admiral Porter took deep interest in oil tnas tue
learned gentleman said and asked him several ques-
tons pertaining TO the matter
TESTING TORPEDO BOAT
Tho HerreshoT torpedo boat Lightning was afterWato
fired IN for the purpose OF showing how quickly sno
could get up steam and how fast sne could % run.
She went twice around Goat Island IN charge OF Lieu.
tenant Converse The visitors declared they had never
seen her equal before for speed
TuR ADMIRAL THE LA3oRER.
Admiral Porter on the wharf, before going TO the
island, mot aud shook hands with an old empioye %
tho station, who had recently been discharged, wttA
nearly all the other employees on account OF the astoa
of Congress The Admiral regretted exceedingly nu
discharge and thought he would soon be relnstated
Tho workman, looking up. said to the distinguishes
speaker yourself anu the officers are iuriougnco
and none you will soon get your full pay
The Admiral replied that the reason they were cue
down was because there no money. In bidding
the man poodby he hoDcd he would get to wor3
again and tho latter promptly informed tho Admiral
that he hopcd would also got his former pay anu No
nppcnrcd To be under tho Impression that Admiral fors
Ter had been treated shabbily than no him
self had been