New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-04
THE s1Ms.EDlsoN TORPEDO.

under the lee bow and forcing the torpedo back 70 heJ
course In other words. the torpedo has flexible bow
which is automatically distended on one side or the
other required 10 keep her on her course AS soon
as the torpedo regains upright position the magazine
is centred by the springs (R).
The air.fask B has q capacity OF nine cubic feet and
contains air under pressure OF 1900 pounds squire
inch The throttle ID is automatically opened as the
torpedo discharged permitting air to reach the engine
The engine chamber and the immersion chamber are
in Che after cone. An automatic twocyHnder oonDle-
eating trunk engine actates the screws by means OF
the lever gears n n n, NJ the exhaust air escaping
through the hollow screwshatts. which are provided
with check-valves p p) 70 prevent the entrance OF
sea-water at the end OF the Abaft the ensnecase
IS the immersion chamber containing the diving machan
ISM The diving-valve IS actuated by q float, the
position OF which depends upon the amount OF water IN
the chamber Water enters freely until 1t reaches the
bottom Of the telescope tube after which 1t can only
enter by COMPRISING the imprisoned atmospheric air
within the chamber By extending the tube greater
pressure will DO required 10 fill the chamber than when
the tube Is contracted; hence, in the former
case the torpedo will dive deeper than IN
ths latter case. The reaction Of the air upon
the water raises or deprcsscs the tail of the torpedo
causing II TO dive or 10 rise TO the surface. The
motive power IS steam, which, together with suitable
ouantitv Of water heated 10 $50 degrees is stored
in flask or generator AS the pressure is reduced
BY the consumption Of the steam, the heated water
gradually vaporizes, furnishing a continuous supply
The Patrick torpedo is an invention Of J. n. H.
Patrick and has been thoroughly tested 70 the salts
faction OF both the United States and the French
Governments. II has reached stage which, IN the
Judgment OF experts renders IL valuable weapon for
u.e in actual warfare. II consists Of two fourteen
foot copper cylinders held by bars three feet apart
The upper cylinder is filled with lampblack and carries
signal flags The lower cylinder is filed with the
firing charge The machinery is propelled by carbonic
acid gas. Recent experiments with 1t By the Navy
Torpedo Board at Newport were reported as en-
Inentlv successful The conditions Of the test were
that the torpedo should make speed Of twenty knots
for one mile, manoeuvTng and firing under the con
oons OF service, to be readily, certainly aud com
nl4telv accomplished by the manpulator OF the op-
oq auparatus the centre Of the explosive charge 10
M At least three feet below the surfnce Of the water
when exploded -
WHOM the torpedo was in motion only the two flags
,d tho foanlng water turned up by the rapidly re-
yolving propeller, could be seen. Inc torpedo was
e-st headed for the tralning-shp jamestown. then
.,res % the north and for quarter OF q mile IN
.h.t direction sharp turn was then made In toward
,o and tbc torpedo returned 70 the starting point
,io q coprse the shape of an eipse and about
,b,a ~ mile IN Us largest diameter several Tlals
~ the torpedo were made, TO test the EMERGENCY OF us
ro,ivs mower The torpedo Is shaped IKE spihole'
.,erlne AT each end. IL Is about forty leet IN Hhsth
80 i.g cr,a;est diameter Is tventy-foHr lnches' us
Achievement is DIDO pOusiust N'N 49,
=. ri,o is oo mounds The torpedo proper IS snsr
t 81 by float which is practically nde ,s5 S ~
mec6anca eunh during the short tre W., ond s
made Ds Of s6ecopp ngss Of 65 n Tdat4 T hfG IN
with lampbnck The pTopee Io. " sssy bc fonied nor
sSa cable c1Sppl.d The explosion also tahcs pure
hont threc fcci under The Water 49, ,,,e- ~ in many
motive pJ"cl - a..
other desi. me torpedo differs in pa o On boSIoS
ne propeller 10 twobisaeo all cL,s 4, paid out
tGs controlling bae nenf o leo sss n n. botom 81
Inc ss tasen through copper piping W Ihe D0, @r
of nc heaters These heaters are ed Each having
whieh eo OF sroneh in The top holding The I'M ~
tyush is divided into two paris tbs rod being con
series o. n pisfon In cylinder OUTSIDE INC nsss
rabie perf5rms the functions OF staFuns'