Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1885-06-06
CAPT, BoYToN's TORPEDO FREAK.

For some days past the British war
steamer Garnet has been lying at anchor
in the harbor of New York, her officers
and crew the recipients of the usual hos
pitalities accorded to visitors from friend
ly nations In view of the various dyna-
mite outrages that of late have been per-
pctuated, especially in London, it was
rumored the Garnet was especially guard
ed with view to prevent any secret at
tempt at injury to her hull. This rumor
led Captain Paul Boyton, the famous
swimmer, to undertake practical test OF
one of his theories. 1t has long been
maintained by him that by his swimming
suit he can approach any vessel, however
well guarded, and can fasten torpedo to
her bottom, and get away to safe dis
tance from which to view her destruction.
He believes 1t hardly possible to detect
him, and possible only after the work has
been done. Torpedo warfare, conducted
by the regular torpedo boat,is confessedly
hazardous and costly. Several lives are
exposed aud several thousand dollars
risked at each attempt. But Boyton's
method of swimming out to vessel, sink
ing underneath her, rising at the end that
cuts the tide, and fastening his deadly
and timed machine to her anchor chain,
exposes only one life, risks only few dol
lars of value, and accomplishes, with fifty
times the certainty of any other scheme,
destruction sure, terrible and complete.
On the night OF May 8 last, the gallant
Captain, who, by the way, is an English
man, undertook to show to some Of his
friends the correctness of his assertions
According to the Tribune, he provided
himself with the shell of a torpedo OF the
usual pattern, about two feet long, with
clock work at the end so arranged as to
set il off five minutes after the machinery
was started. 1t was loaded with little
cracked stones instead of explosive ma
teral. 1t contains air chambers OF suffi>
cent size to float it easily, and was sup
piled with about ten yards of rope with
which to tow and to tie it up against the
ship. The rope is slipped around the
swimmers foot, and he started off from
Staten island shore toward the Garnet,
half a mile or so distant.
As the swimmer approached the wal
vessel, he expelled the air from bis suit
and sank deep into the water, drifting
with the tide under the ship, and reap,
pearng near her anchor chains at the
starboard bow. He reconnoitered gin
gerly about this perilous spot. II he was
detected, the probability that they would
shoot first and inquire afterwards was
fully impressed ON his mind. lie could
hear the men in the bows whispering
family, and the heavy plod, plOd, Of the
watches on the decks. Finally he touched
the anchor chain. He came nearer and
nearer, and grasped it with his hand.
Drawing Ills foot up, he undid the knot
which held the torpedo in tow, and cares
iuiiy tuic" 'no ioPo o'eI Iuc ancuoi
chain He drew its end toward him, and
tied it securely in three knots. Then he
i, swan down to the torpedo, and placed it
apainst the weasel Ou the starboard side
just amidships. He showed himself off
In five minutes more, had the torpedo
been charged, the Garnet would have
been blown up.-ScIentidc American.