Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-16
While tOrnadOeS Oc-

mer advances While tornadoeS oc-
CURED as far south as Texas in the
early spring, they ceased in the South
as the summer advanced The tornado
belt now comprises the Northern
States, including Missouri and
Canada. We are asked why our pre-
dictations do not include the South.
The answer is that the tornado belt
has defined itself. The observed facts
have come to have the force of law.
We will not undertake to tell why the
tornado belt is mostly confined to the
Northern States and Canada at the
present time. The fact remains-the
reason is question yet to be deter
mined.
The signal service has failed to pre-
dict tOrnadoes or to tell us anything
of value about them. The reason is
quite plain. Their source is in the
sun, and they are formed with the
rapidity of the electric forces which
control them.
Let us restate the basis of our pre-
dictions: First, long observed Sc
quence of tOrnadOes and violent cleo
trio storms on the sun Second an
observed limitation of the tornado belt
to the Northern States and Canada as
the summer advances. Based on
| these observed facts our predictions
! have not been aStray The tOrnadOes
have swiftly followed the advent of
the sun storms. This sequence has
come to the dignity of law.
Captain rricson's Submarine Terror.
The torpedo boat Destroyer, built
! by the inventor of monitors, has been
tOwed to Sandy Hook, where tie prep
aratiOns that have been in progress for
| some time past will be completed, and
! the latter part of this week prelimin-
ary tests will be made of the destruct-
lveneSs of the boat while operating in
deep sea water. A target set at an so
yard range will be used for these tests
It consists of wide net set on float
ing reels, and which drops into the
sea.
It will show the distance and accu-
racy with which it is possible to throw
the missile The torpedoes used weigh
1, 500 pounds, and are shot from a
gun of peculiar construction that re-
quired extensive experiments to reach
the present effectiveness, which Mr..
Ericsson and his employees think per
feet. The torpedo is placed in the
breech of the gun, and is cOnical in
| shape like the Minnie rifle ball. 1t
explodes instantly on touching the
object fired at, without allowing any
recoil.
The gun is placed in the bow and is
ten feet under water, SO that it is i'm
possible to disable it by shot from the
| heaviest armament. When the charge
is exploded, two valves that form the
mouth of the gun are forced back
automatically and let the torpedo
pass into the water. The gunner gets
his aim by means of small lookout
hole in front of the cabin, the latter
being protected by heavy steel-plate
armor The range is regulated by a
wheel, which the gunner turns at
pleasure, and like an ordinary steer
ing wheel.
There are nine engines on board the
craft. All these are under not less
than seven feet of water and can not
be reached by shot or shell The De
stroyer is ninety feet long and has
cost Mr.. Ericsson about 81 100 per
foot, or upward of 100000 He says
that ten such vessels could destroy
the finest navy extant, and amply
protect the harbor of New York from
the heaviest force known to modern
/ warfare