The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-08-13
TO BLOW UP SHIPS
Successful Trial of the SimmS-
Edison Torpedo.
1t Was Under Absolute Control-Its Course
Changed at Will and Instantaneously-Dis-
tinguished Visitors Well Pleased.

tSpecialto TIE HERALD-EXaniner Dispateh.l
New YORK, Aug. An official trial of
the Simms-Edison electric fish torpedo
took place yesterday at the government
torpedo station. Willett's Point, l.. /. The
test was under the supervision of Colonel
King, United States army, and Mr.. Simms,
the inventor. The experiment was thor
oughly successful aud attracted favorable
comment from the critical gathering of
distinguished Americans and foreign OH
GERS. The revenue cutter Chester A.
Arthur. carried the spectators. On arriv-
ing at Willett's Point the Arthur was well
coined by large crowd Of army and navy
officers, Colonel King and Mr.. Scott Simms,
The guests were escorted to a sheltered
platform where the torpedo was suspended
by blocks and tackle. This formidable sub
marine weapon at once attracted universal
attention by reason OF its compactuess.
Its general features have already been de-
scriOed. The torpedo was lowered shortly
after 3 D. N. into the water and towed OUT
side of the sheltered platform The ma
chine was well balanced and hardly showed
an inca of water line. At the word
of command given by Colonel King, Mr..
Simms touched the starting handle Of the
keyboard which stood inside the platform.
The deadly war fish started on its journey.
The eyes OF the spectators anxiOusly
watched the rapid progress of the
up the sound. The course selected
was little over a mile. The torpedo
answered every order with precision ard
took Zigzag course from stake TO stake.
After it had passed the last stake it was
made to turn in radius Of about two hun
dred feet and TO increase its speed in the
homestretch TO about twenty knots en-
hour. Then after describing most grace
full curves, it suddenly stopped in front of
the starting point while the enthusiastic
audience heartily applauded.
The dynamo USED at the trial was the
new Edison marine dynamo, which has
capacity of 800 volts aud so amperes. The
revolutions OF the engine amounted to 250
per minute. While the dynamo
1900 volts were used at yester-
days test at which 32-horse power was de-
veloped. The firing of torpedces is also
done by electricity and a special handle for
this purpose is attached to the key board,
by which the course and speed are regu-
lated. No explosion was attempted as the
marine engine costs $4,000 and when fired
is naturally a total loss. It's operation
from shore station IS limited only
to the length OF the connecting
cable, but the latest models of
the Simms- Edison invention are able
to carry three miles Of cable. When q war
ship operates the torpedo it is lowered
srom bow spars and receives its electric
power from the electric plant of the ship.
As the ship aud torpedo are travelling at
the same time, the electric plant can sup
ply power for an almost indefinite period.
When the enemy is sighted the ship is
stopped and the torpedo dispatched on its
deadly mission. IL will, according to the
inventors, either blow up torpedo coming
IN an opposite direction or war vessel Of
the enemy's feet. OF all the foreign rep
resentatives present at the trial, none were
more interested than the Chinese and jap
auese officials. These gentlemen were
astonished at the magical journey Of the
mysteriously moving craft