The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-04-25
pIscREDlTABLE HISTORY.
The Shameful Treatment OF Capt. Ericsson
by the Nation.
Detroit Post and Tribune.

Detroit Post and Tribune.
The army and Many Journal in Its latest
issue calls attention once more to Captain
Ericssons latest naval invention, the De-
stroyer. 1t quotes from Admiral Porter's
last official report, which says: "My own
opinion Is that Mr.. Ericsson has invented the
most destructive principle known in warfare.
One thing is very certain, Mr.. Erics-
son has invented torpedo which either
through the water or air acts with great va-
locity and remarkable precision and ves-
sci properly armed with enc of these ma
chimes, and firing at ship within 100 or zoo
feet distance, would destroy her entirely"
The Destroyer is shot-proof vessel of high
speed, designed to safely approach an enemy
within this distance, and of her also the
Admiral speaks in high praise. The Admi-
raj recommended that the vessel and torpedo
guns be thoroughly tested at the government
expense, and purchased with the right to con-
struct others if found satisfactory.
No attention has been paid to this, either
by the navy department or by Congress.
Capt. Ericsson is not man to 90 to Wash
ington and log-roll with either the depart
ment or Congress. He did send . note to
the naval ordnance bureau, and received as
q reply the statement that he might test The
Destroyer at his own expense, that the bu-
reau would lend him for that purpose set
of velocimeters and pressure gauges, and
furnish an officer or clerk to keep the records.
But |. would not promise to purchase The
Destroyer even If she proved more than was
predicted of her. The bureau had no au-
thority of law to test her at the government
expense, or TO purchase the right to use the
patents on her. So the matter dropped,
there being nobody to urge it before Con-
gress. Pretty soon we are likely to hear
that some other government has purchased
this invention, perhaps to be used against the
United States by and by.
The Army and Nary Journal shows by the
records that this was the way Capt. Ericsson
was treated when he built the Monitor, and
that invention would have been lost to the
United States but for the fact that some
patriotic gentlemen took him to Washing
ton at their own expense and motion and put
the thing through for him; though even then
the contract stipulated that all experiments
and risks should be at the expense of the
inventor; and the United States did not
buy or own the Monitor till after she had
whipped the rebel iron-clad Merrimac.
During that action the Monitor was still the
property of Capt. Ericsson aud his partner,
and fought at their risk. Moreover, Capt.
Ericsson has never yet been paid for build
ing the Princeton, the first steamship Of war
ever built with her machinery below the
water line and driven by propeller instead
of side wheels. That vessel revolutionized
naval warfare; 50 did the Monitor. But
such services, for which the highest honors
would be paid in any other country, 60 un-
rewarded here because Capt. Ericsson is too
proud or too modest to lobby for his just pay.
The Army and Many Journal says: "We
speak upon this subject with an indignation
which we cannot restrain, for We have been
for years familiar with the facts"