New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-10
THE TORPEDO FoR MINOR DEFENCE

To Thc Edltor OF The Tribune
SIR: To build a Navy equal to our re-
auiremeuts alton will many millions OF dol
lars but were the system of torpedo defence developed
10 Its full capacity, such expenditure would be- i'm.
Inedatcy rtqu ircd FOR should then be able TO de-
fend our hurbor- during the period of naval reconstc
ton The torpedo system is Of great importance TO
TING country since We have many harbors TO defend
and il il unbeatable that single European irOuclad
vessel unless interrupted by torpcGoes as an adjunct
to our fortihoatous could immense damage to both
huIbors and slipping.
The five ironcads OF Chill for instance, could appear
Of san Francisco in three weeks and wipe OF exist
ence such We have on the Pacific and
the city san Francisco WELL be could mhict
any serious blow IN return. Having no effective ships,
NE should resort to this quick aud efficient OF dc
fence which the late rebellion demonstrated is ex
detrimental twenty-five of vessels having been Ge
sroved by the comparatively imperfect tOrpedoes the
onfederatcs The successful defiance the Brazilian
fleet by Paraguay and the silent guardianship
German coast against the French Navy are examples OF
the efficiency Of this formidable weapon. The Russians
nv their use the Danube rendered poWerless the Turk
isb roncads and several vessels destroyed Euro
mean nations are active IN the development OF this
tenn while perfecting their ships, their armor and arma
ent and why should avail ourselves OF the means
at our command We have the Weeks rocket torpedo,
which travels tho rate Of over 100 feet second snds
Of simple and economical construction We also have
the pOwerful effective and ingenious Lay torpedo,
which is guided controlled and directed by electricity
and manipulated by an operator using single wlre
Successful experiments in THIS country at 81 Peters
burg, ConstaatnOple, Antwerp ana other European
bnbors demonstrate Its value. The purchase or Colo
mel Laws invention for the Russian Navy, and the es
tabshnent Of extensive works al 81 Petersburg Tor us
manufacture by the Russian GOyernment-enplOy
American workmen and American machinery SPEAK
well for the enterprise Of bOtn countries In recent 1
of the Law torpedo the BosphOrus was tested uhuer
Conditions which fatal to the success or the ate
head and the English critics. prejudlced as they
were i'm favor of the Whitehead, were forced to admit
tht Colonel Lay had devised most formidable engine
~ harbor defence which eOnd DO used even where
crrents and tides strongest ana most deceptive
As an interesting article In recent issue OF The llBt Ne
the electrical steering apparatus when gives
to this torpedo chief advantages over the whitehead
M .bown 10 be perfect and available In the darkest
gbt "a in the Jay Recent improvements on the Lay
dayIce have made b. several American inventors
hic simplify H. reduce It's SIZE and give greater speed
Tre Naval Committee OF the House having made a thor
cnh examination Of the torpedo systems OF all nations
prepared bill passed the House which provides
iho the Secretary OF the Navy alter trial and expert
ment before a board OF officers, shall expend 100000
for the purchase and manufacture OF tOrpedoes the in
vanops OF citizens OF the United States The matter Is
now before the Naval Committee Of the Senate Let us
hone mat the result its deliberations viii be prompt
ana efficient protection for our harb0rs Yours respect
fully. HARBoR DEfENCE'
Nec- York, Feb. l, 1888.