Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-11-27

VI bhuF, tuouRu Insulated from each
other, are formed into a single cable,
and carried underground to the torpedo
station. When vessel touches tor
pedo the shock causes electric connec-
ton. giving signal to the operator,
who may explode any group of torpedoes
at will. Or when nights are dark the
torpedoes can be arranged to explode
automatically. Loaded with dynamite
or gun-cotton they will play most i'm
portant part in harbor defences. The
enemy can not remove them when they
are protected by big guns on shore
saw some of the dynamite projec-
tiles for the air gun, invented by Capt.
Zelinski, 5th U. s. Artillery.
AT the Artillery School l saw fine
collection of numberless variety of
rifles and muskets. Hand firearms,
such as Harper's Ferry, Springfield,
Colts, Lee, Russell, Benton, Hagner,
Kelton, etc. Also models of every
kind Of big gun, with their carriages,
platforms, etc.
We saw those wonderful instruments
for measuring the velocity of bullets and
big projectiles by means Of the electric
spark. The discovery of this invention
is due to the late Prot. Joseph Henry.
of Princeton, n. j., and Secretary of
the Smithsonian Institute.
We also saw some most interesting
objects connected with gun-cotton. 1t.
W. Wake, one of tho Professors in the
Artillery School, showed us a plate of
fine steel half-inch thick, upon which
solid piece of gun cotton had been ex-
ploded. and the words Torpedo Sta.
tion." which had keen impressed upon
the cake in letters one fourth inch long,
were most perfectly engraved upon steel
plate. He tried to make similar ex-
pertinent for me with plate of fine
wrought iron, but the iron was demol-
ished. The piece Of cotton was 3
inches square and 2 inches thick-it was
exploded by electric wires and thunder
ed like l5-inch gun.
| made several visits to the Museum
and instruction rooms Of the Artillery
School, where the officers and nome
mission officers are carefully taught by
skiliful instructors.
or the explosive composition for load-
ing torpedoes, gun-cotton is the best yet
known. Gun-cotton ignites and burns
like cotton dipped in turpentine, but
fred with detonator filled with fulmi-
mating powder, the explosion gives forth
tremendous noise and terrible energy.
BY its means it is demonstrated that q
gaseous sphere can be generated and
can exist under water
Here We saw varieties of gunpowder
of various sizes similar to sand, gravel,
pebbles--a piece of hexagonal Rodman's
powder--3 inches largest diameter across
the hexagon, and with numerous per-
forations; piece Of Parrot powder,
the whole charge of single block, fitted
to the chamber of the cannon, and 1t.
II, A. Millar gave me piece of Dupont
COCO powder, IL inches longest diameter
Of hexagon, | inch thick, single perfor-
alton Of B-inch diameter; color choco-
late brown. A charge of 100 pounds
is used in the 15-inch guns, .nd this
COCO powder is the very best for big
guns.
The Parrot guns whose shooting
qualities we found so very excellent at
Charleston, s. c.. in 1S63-64, seem to
have passed away, being composed, the
gun of cast iron, and the jacket or re-
inforce of wrought iron, metals non
homogeneous, There was q separation
Of the parts, and the reinforce soon
ceased to add strength to the breech. -
Still, the shooting qualities, accuracy
and penetration were most excellent.
To the lover Of military researches in
regard to forts, explosives. electricity
and gunnery, it would be difficult to find
a place more interesting than Fortress
Monroe
To those who love the seaside, with
its pulsing waves and white, dashing
foam its fine scenery and picturesque
views ; its historic and heroic associa-
tions, with the splendid specimens of
vegetable creations, such as magnificent
live-oak trees, with fg trees, mimosas,
magnolias, yuccas, gorgeous crape-myr-
ties, and the seini-tropic plants--these
and thousands Of objects are displayed
to interest any one who happens to visit
Fortress Monroe.
20 The barracks for the soldiers is near
and parallel with the north front. The
iColoners quarters opposite to the sally
port of the southeast front.
Parapets Of earth are being con-
structed so as 10 cover the high scarp
wall Of the moat, from the fire of any
attacking force.
In front Of the barracks across the
parade ground, there is m interesting
collection Of trophies--ol brass guns,
mortars and howitzers, some Of which
we're surrendered by CORVALLIS at York
town.
The borders Of the parade grounds are
ornamented with fne specimens Of old
trees Of the evergreen live-oak.
The men are daily drilled at handling
and hoistiug the huge monster guns.
weighing l6 and even % tons, and
every afternoon they practice firing with
the 15-inch guns at targets 5000 yards
distant, BY Capt. J. A. Tiernon.
In the morning at 0 o'clock they have
the customary guard mounting. and at
sunset the evening parade. At all the
full dress ceremonies fine band will
discourse most excellent music, accom-
panied with the basso profundo Of big
guns, sounding the death knell of mon
arches. the reveille of liberty. and pro-
claiming universal freedom to all man
kind. j. w. ALBERT.
A rather frivilous lady told her hus-
band not TO go hunting, as 10 her Opin-