The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-09-24
A NEW MARINE MONSTER.
The Torpedo Boat BuiiGins at Fort La
fayette-Merits Claimed for 1t
Its Destructive Power,

boat which, II z success, VIII prove 4
submarine wonder that will startle the
world. The craft is made after the
style of model prepared for its inyen-
tor, whose name those most interested
are not now willing to give to the pub
lie. Several patents covering the craft
as whole as well as its special fea-
lures, with two important exceptions,
were secured early last winter al Wash
ington. The next step was the forma-
ton of small syndicate OF gentlemen
of enterprise and capital, who pinned
their faith on the inventors scheme TO
an extent that assured the construction
Of trial boat Work was begun on
this boat at the time when crisis eX-
isted in the relations of England and
Russia and France and China. As the
war clouds hlackened and fighting
seemed inevitable between England
and Russia work on the American in
vention was pushed with all possible
energy, but with the cessation of hos
tile demonstrations the laborers were
permitted to take more time in build
ing the trial craft.
The most careful attention has,
therefore, been expended upon it by
the inventor and Lieutenant Zalinski,
stationed at Fort Hamilton. The lat
ter has made marine vessels an eSpe-
clal study, and no more capable person
could have been given charge of the
construction of the important boat
than he. Lieutenant Zalinski and the
inventor examine every piece of mate
rial used in the construction of the
70
position, and test each separate feature
OF the invention when practicable or
necessary. For over three months
their work has proceeded, slowly, to
be sure, but to their own satisfaction,
until now they are adding the last
touches to what they believe confident
~ will revolutionize submarine war
fare as at present possible to be car
ried on. This submarine monster-for
such it is-will be launched during the
present week from Fort Lafayette,
when it is the purpose of Lieutenant
Zalinski to give it thorough test in
all respects.
So secretly has the building of the
torpedo boat been conducted that less
than fifty persons were aware of what
has been going on. These included
the workmen, some soldiers, and the
persons directly interested with the in
ventor III the success of his scheme.
In addition to these parties, three great
powers have also been aware of what
was being attempted, although no
cmissary OF theirs has been permitted
to view the progress Of the work, mere
" showing that a submarine vessel of
enormous strength and great POSSIBLE
tiles had been begun by the hackers of
the inventor. These foreign powers
are the governments of China, Russia
and Germany. by all of whom ovcrtures
have been mado looking to the pur-
chase of the inveption. China went so
far as to make s definite proposition,
but those who control the patent are
so confident OF big bonanza" that
they resolved to hold on to it, at least
for the present.
In many respects the American boat
suggests the description at first given
by seamen of Jules Ferne's famous
Nautilus, SO powerfully written about
in this interesting book, Twenty
Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,
especially as it is not an enormous
thing" certainly a mysterious object,
spindle-shaped, and if not larger more
rapid in its movements than wheel"
The American boat as now constructed
consists mainly of wood. 1t is fifty
feet long and eight feet in diameter.
The crafts shape suggests a cigar,
being pointed at one end-the head
and blunt at the other-the tail. The
head is designed to constitute ram,
which when driven by the prodigious
strength contemplated in the power of
the boat, will perforate the iron plat
ing Of a ship, and then by a retrograde
motion quickly Withdraw itself. This
ram looks like the snout of Il hog. 1t
is built of steel and has peculiar edges
of sharp surfaces, intended to facilitate
its operations.
On the top OF the craft and in its CEN
ter is small iron turret. surrounded
with little electric lights TO aid in steer
inc. Between this turret and the
ram at the head is an aperture, at the
mouth of which is a dynamite gun, this
being hidden from view. Directly over
the gun and situated on tie neck of the
vessel is a sharp, thin piece Of steel.
1t is intended to use this to cut a hole
in small craft or other torpedo-boats
by rising suddenly from underneath
them and piercing a hole in them. The
inventor claims that he can destroy a
boat as easily as by darling along hor-
izontally and puncturing its side. The
rear of the boat is constructed like an
ordinary propeller. Its machinery IS
in every sense double, there being two
screws and two engines, etc.
After punching a hole in the side OF
the bottom of an enemy it is claimed
for the torpedo boat that it can, after
retiring to such a distance as may be
desired, .'bob up serenely' and fire
dynamite into the other vessel as often
as may be necessary. To discharge or
project dynamite, the boat merely
shows its turret for few seconds, and
never coming up at the same point
twice. it will be impossible to bear a
gun on to it successfully. even if it was
exposed in its entirety,
In the new vessel three features OF
especial superiority are claimed. These
are accuracy of movement and certain
ty of destruction, safe conceaiment
from the view of the enemy when de-
sired and an ability to move faster un-
der water, make greater distance with
out rising to the surface, and project
dynamite further than ever heretofore
demonstrated. 1t is also asserted that
the vessel may run under water and
out of sight for an indefinite period.
This is accomplished by the unique
character and capacity Of the machine
which furnishes the air supply, the ex-
act construction of which the inventor
prefers TO keep secret. The launch
ing of torpedoes SO that they may be
discharged automatically is also ac.
complishsd by a new secret process.
The most important feature of the yes
sci beside its capacity to run under
water indefinitely, is that from 800 to
500 pounds of dynamite may be pro-
| jected from 500 yards to half a mile
with perfect accuracy. 1t is not essen,
| tial to show above water for the pur-
pose of firing shot, which may be
| projected over the surface of the sea
| when the turret of the destroyer CAL
? not be observed over one hundred yard: