Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-14


means of such an apparatus that to-day
we are enabled to fire score of charges
ut time, the wire branching off from the
instrument to distance of a hundred
yards or more. But, nevertheless, we
have yet 10 devise. it seems. an efficient
exploding apparatus capable of igniting
both low and high tension electric fuses.
As everybody knows, it is BY reason OF
electricity being employed to fire explo-
sive charges that torpedo warfare has OF
late attained SO important position. In
the white head, or fish torpedo, the cleo
trio fluid. it is true. plays no part, but this
is the only notable exception. In the
floating torpedo, the moored torpedo and
the spar torpedo, electricity is the life and
soul at one moment the machine is but a
floating buoy or sunken impeachment. the
next is transformed into terrible volca-
no. A feeble current of electricity fash
ing along the wire has on the instant suf-
feed to bring about the fatal charge.
Passing from torpedo warfare and the
recent attempts that have been made to
turn electricity to account in the construc-
ton of self-steering launches, we come to
scarce less important matter, that of fir
ing guns by the electric spark. Not only
are guns at proof and those under expert
ment so ignited, but on board the modern
iron-cad it is the custom nowadays to fire
broadsides In this wise also. By leading
wires from every gun to one point, which
is especially adapted for observation, the
double advantage is secured of bringing
about the firing at the most orportune
moment. and OF securing a simultaneous
discharge. Some experiments made in
Germany have proved beyond doubt that
an armor-plate struck iDstantaneously in
this way by several shot may be effectively
broken up; whereas the ordinary broad
side fire, brought about by gunners at
word of command, is incapable of doing
so. The wires may be led into an OBJ
serving tower, or half way up the main
mast il need be. and here the firing Off
Ger can calmly consort his measures I'M
disturbed by the smoke aud noise and
hustle going on below him. He is pro-
yded with proper sights. and the guns
being laid In accordance with his orders.
he can watch the opportunity for firing as
well as Il he had his eye on the weapons
themselves.
Finally, we have the use of electric
light in warfare. 1t is the most recent
application of all of this wonderful agent,
and we should hesitate to say how extern
sive may hereafter be the employment of
electricity in this connection. in the
France-German war the first use of this
powerful source OF illumination was made
by the French engineers, and IRON the
forts around Paris the electric rays were
made TO sweep in all directions. to watch
for hostile troops engaged in the opera
ton OF mining. Bodies of soldiers up
wards of mile distant could be plainly
seen by the vivid light of the electric lamp,
and working parties were frequently COM
PEELED to abandon their object in the pres
ence Of this powerful detector. As
means OF discovering the approach Of
torpedo launches at night, the electric
light will obviously be OF value. and al
ready trial of it has been made in sew
eral Of her majesty's ships. The Alex
andra, the flagship of the Mediterranean
feet, is provided with an electrical lamp,
worked by one of Wilde's powerful ma
chimes. so that the efficiency of the appa-
ralus may be practically tested. Experi-
ments, however, have already shown
what the electrical rays are capable of do
ing. and low torpedo launch cannot APP
proach within 1000 yards without delec-
ton, while. if painted OF neutral gray,
so as the better to escape observation by
day. the vessel, il appears. is all the more
perceptible under electric illumination.
Steamers. we are told, are peculiarly liable
to be detected by an electric lamp, since
the rays are reflected by the steam and
smoke as effectively as ii the latter were a
solid screen. How valuable, too, the cleo
trio light on board ship must prove for
signalling purposes may be gathered from
the fact that the Dungeness light. which
was the first one OF an electric nature con-
structed in this country, can be seen on
clear night at a distance of thirty miles
with all the brilliancy OF a star of the first
magnitude.