Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-23
INVENTED THE TURRET.
Theodore r. Timby, Now nm Old Man,
Tells How He Hit Upon 1t.

Theodore r. Timby, Now nm Old Man,
Tells How He Hit Upon 1t.
From the Kansas City Times.
Theodore r. Timby, the man who, when
a boy nineteen years old. invented the re
volving turret." which has revolutionized
modern naval warfare. is now in Chicago
hale and hearty at the age of seventy-one
years. While relating the manner in which
the invention came to him his strong. clean
shaven face betrayed the enthusiasm and
fondness of a father speaking Of an idolized
child.
Early in May, 1S41. determined to leave
my country home In central New York
state and visit New York city and Wash
ington for the first time. / was then only a
boy of nineteen and wide awake to observe
everything about me. After doing the big
city 1 took the ferry boat down the bay for
Jersey City. from which 1 was going on to
Washington. 1t was bright, clear day.ant
as the ferry glided smoothly over the water
1 stood at the bow and scanned every pass
ing object with minute scrutiny.
AT last we came in sight of old Castle
William. Somehow the round brick struc-
ture fascinated me strangely. 1 learned
what 1 could concerning it from a gentle
man on board, to whom the trip was not a
novelty. Even after the queer old fortress
pierced for three tiers of guns. had been left
far behind me my thoughts were still upon
it. Suddenly it occurred to me that If the
structure were so built as to revolve upon
vertical center the guns pointing arbitrarily
UP stream could be used at Will down
stream or at any point of the compass at
which enemy might chance to present
itself. OF course,in order to do this it would
have to be of iron construction.
This idea chung to me so persistently that
the next day but one after my arrival In
Washington l made a rude pencil sketch OF
the revolving turret, illustrating but little
more than the bare principle. By this time
/ was full of boyish enthusiasm over what
dreamed might prove to be a great inven.
ton At first 1. was at loss what to do
Then came the thought that l would enlist
the interest and influence of the great and
powerful members of Congress.
1.-The fame of John G. Calhoun, then in the
United States Senate, had made his name
familiar in every country town. and, guided
by some freak or fancy, l determined to
seek an audience with the eloquent south
ern statesman.
so l took my rough sketch and card
upon which l had written my name, and
went to the United States Senate, with a
heart beating like triphammer. Almost to
my surprise, and without delay or question
ing, the Senator at once responded in per.
son and gave me an attentive and patient
hearing, carefully examining the crude
sketch. How eagerly 1 waited for his ver-
dict can scarcely be understood-at least.
all right. He not only acknowledged it's
originality and possible Importance, but
asked me IL / could not produce something
better in the way of an Illustration than the
rude sketch which had submitted.
II told him 1 would do SO in a day or two.
When / went down those stairs-well-I
walked on air! The following day went to
Baltimore and hunted up an ivory turner
He agreed to make me a model, which he
did by aid Of the drawing and personal sug-
gestions as stood by him and watched my
conception take material form under his
skillful chisels.
..Without loss of time I returned to Wash
ington and again sought Senator Calhoun
He received me in as kindly manner as
before, and. after a close scrutiny Of the lit
tie white medal, which have always care
fully kept and now have he sent for Sena-
tor William G.. Preston of South Carolina
Then they introduced me to other Senators
of their acquaintance. Without an excep-
ton they all approved of the probable prac-
ticability and Importance of my invention
and suggested that l submit it to the chief
of ordnance and chief of engineers.
You may be sure 1 acted upon this ad-
vice. Mr.. Bumford was then chief of ord
nance. He gave me fair hearing and apt
proved, as did also the chief of engineers
OF my conception.
These. however, were all what lawyers
would term strict opinions In short, they
were not binding. year or two later the
invention came to the test of a professional
opinion. A mixed committee from the army
ana navy was appointed 10 pass upon the
device. Gen. Bankhead and Col. Thornton
OF the army and Capt. Smith Of the navy
were it's members. The two latter reported
against its adoption on account of its cost,
but Gen. Bankhead was decidedly for it,
Although Jefferson Davis advised me not
to patent 1t. filed my caveat at the patent
office January Is, 1913. Nineteen years later
or in 1862, secured broad letters of patent
covering not only the specific device, but
also the principle of it's operation.
The part which 1t played in the civil war
especially in the operations of the Monitor
is familiar history"
The fact that John c. Calhoun and other
leaders of the confederacy gave the first aid
and comfort to an invention which wrought
such terrible destruction to the cause of the
south Will furnish food for thought to those
who are fond Of studying the Laws of com
pensation.