The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-06-22
Modern Internal Machines.

Modern Internal M2cnlneSs
THE recent deplorable catastrophe at
Bremerhaven has once more drawn atten.
ton to the fact that time and money still
continue to be expended, and talent wasted
and misapplied, in devising the most re-
fined methods of executing the most das-
tardly and diabolical designs. Mechanical
skill appears to be laid under special con-
trib1tlon in these matters, although it can
scarcely be doubted that those whose
skillful hands contrive these cunning de-
vices are perfectly innocent of the intended
application of their handiwork. As far
as we at present know, he whose wasted
life has just been closed by pistol bullet
at Bremerhaven employed an apparatus
consisting of hammer, which was to
strike blow on some explosive substance
at the end of a predetermined time, and
which hammer was actuated by clock
work. No precise description of the ma
chine has as yet been given, although the
exact particulars will doubtless transpire
during judicial inquiry. 1t is, however,
by no means improbable that the mechan-
ical arrangement will prove to be very
much like one which was destined for
similar dastardly purpose nearly three
years since As stated in letter of a
correspondent, writing over the signature
of Warhawk, /" and which appeared in
the Times of the 22d inst, there was at
that time conspiracy to ship quantity
of highly-insured but worthless goods on
board one of the Messageries Maritimes
Company's vessels either at Bordeaux or
Marseilles. With the goods was to be
shipped an Internal machine, which at a
given time was to explode, cause the de-
struction of the ship and bring the con-
splrators their miserable reward. This
machine consisted of chest containing a
powerful explosive compound and an ex-
ploding apparatus. The principle of the
exploder was that of the needle-gun, a
needle being driven into a primed cart
ridge and causing the explosion of the
whole mass of the compound.
The mechanism consisted of needle,
or striker, set in bolt, at the other end of
which was u spiral spring held in tube.
When the bolt was forced back into the
tube there was of course powerful press
ure behind it tending to push it outward
and to drive the needle into the cartridge.
In order to hold the bolt back until the
proper moment for the discharge had ar
rived a catch or stud was formed on 1t,
which was made to engage with hori-
zontal lever having a hammer shaped
head. The lever was connected with
springs SO arranged as to have constant
tendency to release its head from the
catch. This tendency, however, was
counteracted by broad disc of metal
which, being placed close against the
lower part of the lever-head, held it in its
place in front OF the catch on the needle
bolt. In the disc was cut notch suffi-
GENTLY deep to allow the lever-head to
drop into it when that part of the disc
was presented to it, and so to release the
needle-Do The disc was revolved by a
train of clock-work so speeded as that the
disc should travel given distance in a
definite time. The edge of the disc was
marked with a number of spaces, one
space representing day, and the edge
would travel through that space in one
day. Assuming the disc to be marked
into ten portions and the machine to be
required to explode in eight days, the
lever would be set at the eighth mark
from the notch. The clock-wOrk would
then be started and the disc would revolve
until, at the end of the eighth day, the
notch would arrive at the lever head,
which would be forced into the notch by
its springs. The needle-bOlt would thus
be released, and being impelled sharply
forward by the powerful spiral spring at
its rear would cause the explosion of the
cartridge and SO of the whole mass Of the
explosive compound. Thus would be
consummated catastrophe from which it
is probable no living soul would escape
to record it.
The "rats," of which there are two
species, are of q more vicious nature.
One species is intended to operate on iron
ships, the other upon wooden ones. The
iron-ship "rat' consists of block of
iron known as Keutledge," which has
hole bored in it, in which is placed q
tubular boring-tool containing an acid.
On the top OF the boring tool is a lever,
with weight at its outer end, and this
lever can work to and fro horizontally in
space cut out of the top of the "Keut-
ledge" The lever is, of course, carefully
boxed In and the surface of the iron re-
stored. A confederate is required, who
will place the machine in the right posi-
tion--that is, with the bottom of the Dor
ing-tool downward and on the iron skin
OF the vessel. Being SO placed the rolling
OF the ship causes the lever to move back
ward and forward and the end of the tool
to cut into the ships plates, the action be-
ing promoted by the acid and by slight
pressure given to the boring-tool by a
spring: The terrible process may be
somewhat slow, but is very sure.
The wooden ship rat is q more complex
machine, and possibly more ingenious.
II consists OF box in which are placed q
pair OF vertical cylinders, one at each end
OF the box and spaced about five feet apart.
IN the center, between the two, is a hori-
zontai cylinder, having piston working
IN IL, the rod passing through u stuffine,
oox; The outer end of the piston rod
works rachet-dnll, or auger, the aucer be-
ing weighted. The two vertical cylinders