The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-09-30


tual warfare The torpedo vas dashed 70 the bead of
composite spar by Sleeve aud swung out into
tho ocean by guys. In order to make the
spar 20 through the water with as little
resistance as possible IL was necessary -
have 1t arranged accordingly and II presented the
figure OF a double convex lens. The s'enemy's shipr
before the necessary arrangements had been made
had drftcd long distance into northwesery direc-
ton The steamer, under the direction OF Lieutenant
Stevens, was headed Tor the object, but unfortu-
natey, went close to It, aud Il deemed inexpe-
dent to Are the TORPEDO. Another attempt was made
and as far as tho .enemy, was concerned u proved
10 be another failure. The barrels were light
and drlIted very rapidly out OF tho way,
the current being unusually strong. Inc cx-
plosion, however, great success. Huge
sheets of water were sent distance OF lou
feet IN the arr aud desce nding the deck caused all
hands 10 seek place OF refuge Several, including
Captain Brcese, were wet through, and for a moment
n was i'm to tell Just how water had been
shippod Admiral Jones. OF tho English navy, was
WISE rs he found comfortable quarters In the pilot
house before The torpedo ignited. The next
pertinent was with tho Harvey torpedo, by Lieutenant
J. j. Hunken and Ensign W. winier. This torpedo
was manipulated quite successfully and was made "a
dive and perform other eats peculiar to the same Il
wus exploded By electricity, much 10 the dsappont
ment OF many on board WHO desired to see IL explode
by contact Instead
Lieutenant J. NJ. Forsyth and Master Frank Elery
wore called upon engage IN naval battle. the
former being gwen command OF the government
schooner Joseph Henry and tho latter directing the
movements of the Nina with Harvey torpedo on
each sdc which, however, were not loaded, US was
not desired 10 sacrifice any lives Tor the oenehi Of IN:
his "enemyu IRON striking him on either side and,
considering tho craft which no had 10 handle he man
aged very successfully The Nina's movements, how
over wcre poorly managed by hor young Com.
mander, and no came very near running the
schooner down, hts yards getting entangcd with the
Iatter's jb and tearing 1t ribbons. She passed
the schooner on the starooard side, but altogether
too close tor comfort 10 show the effectiveness of
the torpedo. The towing line caught over the
schoonor's main boom and TO prevent any further
dnmagethc steamers engines were backed and the
difficulty adjusted Tho experiment served to show,
It's failure, thathoso on board OF the
schooner could nave cut the limos aud sont one OF tho
opedoes at least adrt, thus rendering nor destruc.
ton loss probable II would not do 10 try to capture
IT, as Il would explode as soon as It came IN contact
with any obstacle The vessels then steamed into tho
harbor. Lieutenant Forsyth managed 10 oring Inc
Joseph Henry through the fort Notwithstanding her
accident
TRIAL TRIP
The Inst experiment consisted OF trial trip OF the
torpedo launch Lightning built specially for the gov.
ernment by The Messrs. Herreshon, OF Bristol, ana
which supplied with coil boiler and the builders
peculiar engine, description OF which has appeared
in the HERALD. This was in charge Oh Lieutenant
George Converse ana Lieutenant ALBERT IL Conaon:
two Of the Instructors VINO nrod tho steamer anu
the limo being kept by Captain Edward simpson,
around the island making ABOUT twenty mnes PEI
hour. Tho launch 10 the opinion OF Inc boara, now
ever was only Ut for smooth wator. ms nnsnoa Ing
experiments.
TAKING THEIR pIpLoh1s.