New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-03
FENIAN INFERNAL MAOHINES.
PLOTTING TO DESTROY BRITISH SHIPS

PLOTTING TO DESTROY BRITISH SHIPS.
| THE BoAsTFUL CONFESSIONS OF p. w. GROVE, OF
PEORIA, nL.-ENGLAND TO BE BROUGHT TO
TERMS AT ANY COST.
PEORIA, ILL.,, Aug. 2.-P. w. Grove, of this
CITY, whose has been mentioned connection with
the attempt to blow up the British vessels openly
fesses his knowledge of the plot, claims same
right to manufacture explosives others have to
make firearms He has letters from O'Douovan Rossa
and boasts that after September English vessel will
be SAFE Some Of the shells on exhibition. 1t is
thought that the shells being and that the
explosives and machinery are at other points
reporter interviewed Grove to-day. Peoria has
always been the head OF tho Fenian movement here,
and Grove Is one OF the most desperate agitators
is man of small stature, with dark intellectual c6un
tenance and talked calmly. He produced letter from
George HOgate, dated Philadelphia, August 81 1880
setting forth that Holgate owned the McCntock torpedo
boat which did such terrible execution in the Rebellion,
that he had been conducting experiments with it under
WATER and that he had refused proposition from Spain
Iorthe boat lie claimed the boat would blow UP any
vessel in the British feet and could blockade anv mort
regardless OF all tho menofwar in the world II would
cost about $4,000 to build and he would place It AT
Groves disposal He said the boat would do more good
for Ireland and fetch British Government to terms
quicker than half million OF men.
Grove said that shortly after the recent Of the letter
the Executive Committee of the United Irishmen met in
New-forK Judge Brennan, Of Iowa, Captain G. Sper-
man, OF James Kenefe, of Providence Thomas
were present They discussed the Holgate proposition
and the scheme Of devastating tho shores of England
put on Groves representations they decided that it
wouo DO 700 expensive and that they could do better
WORK by dopositing torpedoes in British ships which
could be done for S25 each and which would bring Eng
land to terms by making it gerous for people TO 90
aboard British vessels They to take that course
Some time Inter the United Irshmen Fenians Joined
hands In order to execute these plans. They were 900
strong In the United States and Canada There were
Toronto.
important city in the United States
THESE informal machines, Grove said, are being made
viii continue to be made The makers are working for
ne good OF the Old Sod" and they no more liable
no more vicious than powder; and wtthese weapons
they could drive from the seas their enemy, destroy
trade ana make profitable business impossible Some
persons would have die would be worse than Bow
easiest which went straightest to the MARI killed hs
most III the shortest time, and compelled nations
:, The machines captured in England were made in
which the clockwork and explosives were packed Tho
cloeEw"rk operated With spring and, after six days.
gui,,trgSer which struck percussion cap and ignted
Of illuminate silver and pound and anu half i, OF
hynamItS and the charge woud destroy the largest
weighed forty-iive pounds. "e
GT rv @ again nd any warfare good enough
herself and could not expect others to do SO. II
English ship would be sent to the bottom an p syST
womI no LONGER dare to embark in them every Govern
Iosln begun lie asserted that there many OF these
dread machines already completed-some in France in
charge OF trustworthy patriots who would use them
quite Freely They had already greatly worried British;
hey had destroyed the Manchester Post
t1ia Docks t!oss To,oOo,OO0) They had exploded
chneS ~ sal nd aud Glasgow, at London and Liver
pool and had Inflicted aggregate loss of $50 900
Grove was in no way excited his horrible recital.
he says tha the Manufacture of the machines still goes
forward here.
The reported arrest OF Grove by orders Attorney
General MacNeagh for violation of the navigation laws
was hoax pcrpetlated by practical Jokers upon TOO
credulous reporter Grove has arrested and is
doing duty as the city lanplighter.