The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-06-29
4 FORMIDABLE WEAPON
TIE TORPEDO WHICH SUNK THE
wARSHIP AQUIDABAN.
The Invention OF United States
Naval Omcer-Methodo of Working
the Deadly Machine.

to shed more light upon the powers Of
the torpedo than oil the experiments
of the last two decades. The first news
concerning the downfall of the Aquid-
aban was to the effect that the vessel
was sunk by an automobile torpedo,
but the naval department has recently
been led to the suspicion that it was
not an auto mobile, but dirigible tor
pedo that did the effective work. That
is to say, n torpedo that is operated
and controlled from base, instead Of
one which when launched relies upon
its own mechanism for its subsequent
action.
The affair accumulates special inter
cst, not only to Americans but to Bos-
tonians, for the only dirigible torpedo
in the possession of tho Government
forces of Brazil was the invention of
an officer now resident in Boston. Tho
officer in question is Lieutenant N. j.
l.. 7. Halpin, u. S. N.
A few worls regar ding this remark
able weapon. Not tho least interest
ing thing concerning it is the fact that
the result of many years Of study and
experiment by it's inventor. and is bet
ter known outside Of this country than
it is here. 1t has been used by at least
three South American nations although
the Braziliaus, rs far as known, are
the only oues who have subjected it to
the conditions Of actual war.
Unlike other torpedoes, tho Halpine
weapon is not destroyed after it is 6x
ploded and its mission is accomplished.
Its explosive charge IL separate, and
after it is emitted by automatic means,
the torpedo itself, which is operated
by electricity, withdraws and returns
10 tho operator. HereiA is n merit
that at once appeals to the economist.
The explosive charge, which is in the
form of cartridge, costs but 80, and
the torpedo itself being used over and
over again, this is the only expense at
tending It's Use. Other forms of diri.
gible torpedo cost any where from $10,-
600 to $40, 600 n shot, rs they are them
selves destroyed thereby.
The following is a brief description,
not too technical, Of the Halpine tor
pedo, which is in reality hybrid, be-
tween a torpedo proper and a torpedo
boat. In fact, it may be regarded in
the latter light, as it is but tho vessel
carrying and dischargins the deadly
missile.
1t is cigar-shaped, seventeen feet in
length and two foet in diameter. II
contains storage battery of thirty
three cells, weighing 800 pounds, and
from these is obtained the power which
by means of n two horse power motor,
drives tho screw propeller, which is
brass, one foot in diameter, and is
protected by circular metallic guard.
A balance. rudder is also attached by
which the torpedo is steered. In the
forward end, pointed obl1quely down
ward. ,s the chamber for the charge,
which is 125 pounds of any high ex-
plosive, gelatine, dynamite or gun
cotton. The charges furnished the
weapon carried by the Nictheroy were
wet gun cotton.
The caItridge is also cigar-shaped,
four feet long and ten inches in diam
eter, and is inserted by the mere re-
moval of hand-hole plate on the top
of the torpedo.
At the station occupied by tho op-
orator there is battery of 100 dry
cells, and communication is had with
the torpedo after it is launched by
means of an extremely fine and care
fully insulated wire, which is rolled
on a reel inside the torpedo rs the lat
ter advances. All the operator has to
do is to watch the torpedo travel
through the water, its progress being
observed by means of two tiny masts
upon it, and by means Of switch
board he can cause it to advance or
retres,, vi, r,puasre any path he wishes.
He can also discharge the cartridge,
but there is likewise an automatic
method OF doing this upon impact with
the vessel attacked.
The operation OF the torpedo pre-
sents some very interesting features.
Projecting from the front of the tor
pelo is spar. with an arrowhead,
and automatically released arms
When this comes in contact with any
resisting object, the cartridge is re.
leased end advances toward the object.
BY means Of an ingenious system Of
springs and clutches, tho cartridge
upon being released, dives down and
then asccnds. describing curved
path, concave upward Thus the tor.
pedo nots with which most of the bat.
tleships are provided, would not avail,
as the spar would meet the net while
the cartridge would dive down beneath
it and then proceed direct to the YES
sells hull.
The same act OF impact that dis,
charges the cartridge also reverses the
motor in tho torpedo, which rapidly
recedes and returns to it's base, IT, be
Jain cha .,sed, if neeIec, and again
cent out oa its mission OF destructiop
The Halpin torpedo has some ma
IS not possessed by any other kinl
ii the first place, it is tho only ont
that can be used successfully against a
YES el protected by nets. 1t is not
injured or destroyed in operating; it
can be operated from a moving base,
such as boat, AS the operators plant
Is so simple and light; its motive
power does not suffer by being stored
or delayed, and it is not of such
nature rs to be in itself a source OF
danger to those handling it, it con be
loaded with the facility of n breach