The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-03

An INVENTION WHICH IL ABOUT TO REVOLT
TIOxIzE THE ART OF WAR.

An INVENTION WHICH Ia ABOUT TO REVOLT
TIONIzE THE ART OF WAR.
Some particulars concerning the earth
torpedoes which were lately tested at Thun
have been published by the Geneva papers,
The result Of the experiments was consid-
cred so satisfactory that the Swiss military
authorities have advised the Federal Coun-
ell 10 purchase the right OF making the
torpedoes and the secret az their construc-
ton from the inventor. Lieutenant Feodor
Won Zubowitz, OF the Austrian army.
The Zubowitz torpedo, according TO
several high military authorities, is
destined 10 effect partial revolution
in the art 81 war, especially Of defensive
war. 1t READERS possible the having, In
very short time and by common workmen,
OF series Of powerful mines-any one OF
which can be made, as circumstances may
require, either harmless, or arranged In
such a manner as TO be exploded by
shock, o tram OF gunpowder, or an cleo
trio wire. In fifteen minutes sixty men
can furnish with these torpedots line 200
yards hong. The system, moreover, Of
fers great advantages for strengthen
ing the out-works OF permanent or
temporary Notifications, barring defiles,
projecting an exposed flank, reInforc-
ling barricade, covering weak
detachment, or defending line OF re-
treat. The perfection OF this engine OF
destruction occupied Lieutenant Zubowitz
seven wears, and ii Is said now to have all
the properties which such an invention
ought TO possess-certainly OF effect, cheap
ness, simplicity of construction, and ease
of manipulation. After series OF search
ing experiments il was warmly recon-
mended by the engineer section OF the
Austrian Military Commission, and was
used with success during the late insurrcc-
ton in the south OF Daimatia. On one oc-
casion ten men completely barred, In sew
enteen minutes, the Pass OF Han with fif-
teen tmpedoes.
THE TOEPEDO.
In appearance the torpedo is q sort OF
square shrapnel. The charge Is explosive
Trautzel gelatine, and by means OF SIM
pie interior mechanism can be burst either
above ground under layer OF earth or
under water. The torpedoes are made in
series corresponding with their charges,
which range from four pounds to one hun
dred pounds. and are classed respectively
according to the use for which they are
destined-as torpedoes OF observation, OF
named sorts are meant to be exploded by the
enemy-lnvoluntaiily, OF course. The con-
tact torpedo may be put in any place where
its existence is not likely to he suspected lin
an abandoned carriage, placed across a
road, behind door or gate which has to
be opened, the mere removal OF the obsta-
Gle being sufficient TO cause the explosion.
The percussion torpedo is hidden few
OH h.naat1 fha soil in Ixain Il
explodes readily under the weight OF
number of men or the pressure of a vehi-
Gle or the tramp of horse. The four
pound torpedoes are for instant use, and, |
being easy OF transport, may be taken al |
most wherever troops can march. Twen- !
ty-five OF them can be packed on one Dat
mule.
FORCE OF THE WEAPON.
A single torpedo Of this calibre will
break up any ordinary road to its full |
width, and three or four torpedoes along |
road are sufficient to render il impossible. |
They pulverlze everything within dame
ter Of seven, and break everything within |
I diameter OF thirteen, metres from the |
centre of explosion. They may be buried |
under four or five centrimetres OF earth |
without detriment to their destructive eff |
ect. 1t is only the larger engines that can |
De buried deeper than this without impair |
ng their efficiency. Up to a distance OF |
-hree kilometres explosion can he produced |
without the aid OF electricity, |
either by design on the part of the operator |
,r Involuntary by some act Of the enemy. |
As touching the time required to place |
hese torpedoes under layer Of earth OF
i've centimetres thick. il has been found
~ actual experiment that in fifteen minutes
iXty men may SOW in this way 100 engines
n three or Tour lines over one square kilo-
metre OF ground, thereby rendering it alb
olutely impossible. A regiment that
would attempt to march over it would be
imply DulyeriZed.