The New York herald., 1876-09-07
TORPEDO PRACTICE.

ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF TORPEDO oFyrcEEs--
GUNPowDER Exploded UNDER WATER IN
NEWPORT HARBoR-How EFFECTIvK SUB
MARINE DKsTRUCrrvKs MAY BH PROVIDED AT
ANY MOMENT.
NRwPoRr r. l., Sept 8, 1876.
The examination OF the graduating class Of torpedo
officers was continued to-day. Owing to tho lack OF
funds the experiments nothing to be compared to
what they last year. much to the disappointment
Of the class, who, although being able to study the
theoretical part that torpedo warfare IL des-
tined to play In the naval conflicts will
not be able 70 witness tho practical illustra-
tions Of the science as their predecessors have
dono since the establishing Of tho station here. The
examination In electricity and fuses announced in the
morrow. The Examining Board, tho oaicsrs Of the
station and tho class got on board tho Nina. which
steamed outside between Fort Dumping and Fort
Adams. Tho schooner Joseph Henry also attached to
the station, was there waiting for them
EXPERIMENTAL
The Nina first exploded LOO pound spar torpedo
from her starboard siae, followed by OF the same
from the port side They orcd by electricity
with one Of Professor Farmers 'D. F." macbinos
Both were successfully gnited and the vessel being 10
eeward those board escaped ducking
The water was thrown TO a great height, and for
foam, which presented magnificent sight
The Harvey torpedo was next brought into use, and
loaded fuses simply being attached This experiment
promised TO DO. one Of peculiar interest to all
on oSnSed rab her. line or wpe b.
which 1t was directed simply touching her This
pronounced failure, and accordingly another trial
Of all on board and tho Nina returned TO the dock at
the station followed by tho Joseph Henry
getting oa Of swo launches Sy the oss ou BEING
managed by the senior half As follows :-Lieusenant
Commanders, c: Cotton, Lewis Clark, W. y. Whiting
and c. O'Neil; Lieutenants, c. NJ Anthony, X. Noel
J. s. Newell 4. W. Sturdy, G. W. Chipp and l. G.
Irvine.
boat. were Lieutonants + N. Lee, II. Buckingham,
s C. Paine F. 8. Bassctt A. c. Berry; Masters ID. H
Mahan, George A. Calhoun, y. Busbee and Ensign A.
|. Case Jr
The seniors had their boat ready first and were the
first reach mid channel In the inner harbor. The
JUNIORS although they came last tho FIRST 10 hrs
rHx SPAR roRrxDo
belongs the defensive Glass; aud all .ho vessels in
the navy are supplied with them. II is cast iron
cylinder, with spherical ends containing ssvsnty-nv
to 100 pounds OF powder, attached TO the end Of
eight inches in diameter; the opposite end
Of tho spar is secured by means Of a
it can be rissed and pushed in or out at win and ihe
torpedo fred by electricity The officers. who were
dressed In blue undress unAforms, did not got to
the spot where torpedoes were to be fired
readily Is ignorant OF the business might
be led 10 suppose they would and fully FIVE minutes
was consumed before they wero ready Tho delay
may be for from the fact that the launches
we're brought into use before At the annual
periments, they being purchased slnce last summer
Steam launches used last year. An officer
remarked that Gushing had been delayed
as long thoy were be would never have
blown up the Abemarlc The junior class did not sob
norge tEer torpedoes lar below she surface the
seniors did honce the latter made 'sblgger show"
and completely hid themselves and their boat from tho
sight those who to the eastward OF the of
tho explosion, and consequently they got wct Tho
juniors fred theirs well TO leeward and very little
wator went into their boat. The torpedocs were dred
by Farmers 10. L." machine.
IMPROVED roRPRDoKa
This was followed by some interesting experiments
with improved tcrpcdocs. each half Of the officers hav
ing made Two torpctocs making twenty four - all
from such material as might be found board ship
This reflected no litt.o credit upon ali who had q
hand In their manufacture They wero planted
n the harbor, and all were successfully
Icnited by Farmers machine, which located on
tho croquet ground IL front Of Captain Bresscs resi-
dcnce. This experiment was Intended simply to show
that Sin Of any kind, with the use or insulated
vro, fuse, powder and one OF tho above named ma
chimes, could be effectively used torpedo upon any
occasion and without delay.
THE TORPEDO BOAT LfGRTwfN0
a full description Of which has already appeared In
these columns, was steamed up, and In charge Of
Lieutenant Converse she steamed several timos
around Goat Island and she clearly proved that sho
had been appropriately manned, and fully capable OF
acco npishng all that sbc had been built for.