National Republican., 1883-05-02
TORPEDO TESTS.
Some Interesting Experiments with the Deadly
Engines OF Fortress Monroe
Means OF Manipulating Them so NJ to
Protect Any Harbon

Fort MONROE, VA, April 30.-on Satur-
day last some further experiments with tho
new torpedo system, now being tested here
by Lieut.. ]. w. Graydon, U. s. N, were made
with entire success. Tho system consists
simply of a cable attached to q hosting en-
gine, which is laid from the fort to tho Rip
Raps, o mile and quarter distant, passed
around sheave, and returned, when IL is
spliced and attached to q drum on the engine.
When the operator wishes to send out one or
moro torpedoes they are attached to this end
less cable and the engine carries 1t out into
the channel, where it can be stopped or fired
at any point at the pleasure of the operator
In this manner twenty-five "dummie" tor
pedoes were sent over to the Rip Raps
and returned on Saturday, and that, too,
with a much less quantity Of power than
was required to send out n smaller number,
thus demonstrating that the greater the num-
ber Of torpedoes operated the power required
to work the system decreases. This is ex-
planned by the fact that as the torpedoes are
buoyant they assist the propelling lines. The
style Of torpedoes to be used by the company
for business will be made of 1-16 sheet steel,
with an air cylinder at each end to give in
creased buoyancy, the explosive being placed
in the center. Of these there will be two
sizes, containing 75 to 150 pounds Of powder,
or its equivalent in other explosives, any one
IL
tom Of any modern ship Of war, will be ample
for its destruction.
The torpedoes are to be exploded in several
ways. First, by suitable electrical apparatus
connected to each torpedo by proper insulated
wires, each torpedo containing an ingenious
device for switching on or off the torpedoes
the operator may or may not desire to fire.
This method permits the torpedoes to be ex-
ploded singly or the whole instantaneousy (;
second, by an electrical contact system,
which enables the operator to throw all the
torpedoes out of action while being handled /;
but, when in the desired position, the fuse
can be again thrown into action and are ex-
ploded when q passing vessel touches them
third, pressure contact system which
enables the operator to lock and unlock the
fuse, thus preventing explosions while han
ding the torpedoes. The latter method is
considered the most economical, and is the one
which will probably be adopted as there Is
no skilled labor required to handle the tor
pedoes.
The new system rs arranged now seems to
be very complete, and when it is remembered
that the propelling lines are used any num-
Der OF times carrying on continuous engage
ment with torpedoes, and that the condition
Of the explosive can always be known by
withdrawing them for examination, il will be
seen how very effective the new method may
become as a coast and harbor defense Nor is
this all. The system can also be used in send.
ing out all classes of floating distractions
such as kerosene and fire RATS, which can be
cut adrift at any time and sent down upon an
| approaching enemy.
1t is claimed, and with very good reason
that by the use Of this system all the harbort
in the United States can be made inaccessible
to an enemy, and yet permit the entrance
and departure Of friendly vessels at will.
During the experiments on Saturday the
| schoolship Portsmouth came into the harbor
from sea. The operator was enabled to place
torpedo within twenty-five feet of her keel
she was then in seventy feet Of water-and
If he had wished could have placed it directly
| under the vessel, while the officers of)the
any surface indications the proximity of SC
terrible an engine of war. In the afternoon
double line of torpedoes were put on the
| cables, and thus, while one line was carrying
dozen across toward the Rip Raps, an equal
| number were being carried over from that
point to the fort. From the experiments thus
far it is obvious that fleets of torpedoes can
| be sent out from base of operatid,is and
maneuvered in groups and in such mannef
as will make it practically impossible for an
| enemy to approach without sure destruction.
The system has now passed the expert
mental stage, and further operations will be
suspended until a supply Of genuine torpe-
does can be manufactured when the effect Of
these destructive missiles, handled in the
manner above indicated, will be fully demon
strated.
The experiments have been very much re-
tarded from the fact that merchant vessels,
anchored in the Roads, have on three differ
ent occasions dragged their anchors and
broken the lines, but precau tions have now
been taken which, it is thought, will prevent
further interru ntions from this causa