Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-07-02
A FORMIDABLE WEAPON.
THE TORPEDO WHICH SUNK THE
WARSHIP AQUIDABAN.
The Invention Of n United States
Naval Onicer-Method of Working


aban was to the effect that the vessel
was sunk by an automobile torpedo.
but the naval department has recently
been led 70 the suspicion that it was
not an uto-mobile, but dirigible tor
pedo that did the effective work. That
is to say, 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-
est, not only to Americans but to Bos-
tonians, for the only dirigible torpedo
in the possession of the Government
forces of Brazil was the invention of
an officer now resident in Boston. The
officer in question is Lieutenant N. J.
l.. L. Halpin, U. S. N.
A few words regarding this remark
able weapon. Not the least interest
ing thing concerning it is the fact that
it is a torpedo but little known. 1t is
the result of many years of study and
experiment by its 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 Brazilians. as far Ms known. are
the only ores who have subjected it to
the conditions of actual war.
Unlike other torpedoes, the Halpine
weapon is not destroyed after it is ex-
ploded and its mission is accomplished.
It's explosive charge is separate, and
after it is emitted by automatic means,
the torpedo itself, which is operated
by electricity, withdraws and returns
to the operator. Herein is merit
that at once appeals to the economist.
The explosive charge, which is in the
form of a cartridge, costs but SO. and
the torpedo itself being used over and
over again, this is the only expense at
tending its use. Other forms of diri.
gible torpedo cost anywhere from SO, =
900 to $40, 900 shot, as 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 torpedo proper and a torpedo
boat. In fact, it may be regarded in
the latter light, as it is but the vessel
carving and discharriuy the deadly
missile.
1t is cigar shaped, seventeen feet in
length and two feet in diameter. 1t
contains a storage battery of thirty
three cells, weighing 800 pounds, and
from these is obtained the power which
by means of q two horse power motor,
drives the 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 obl1ouely down
ward, is the chamber for the charge,
which is 125 pounds of anv high ex
plosive, gelatine. dynamite or gun
cotton. The charges furnished the
weapon carried bv the Nictheroy were
wet gun cotton.
The cal fridge is also cirar-shaped,
four feet long and ten inches in diam
eter, and is inserted by the mere re-
moyal of hand-hole plate on the ton
of the torpedo.
At the station occupied by the on
orator there is o 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 reel inside the torpedo as the lat
ter advances. All the operator has to
do is to watch the torpedo travel
throuob the water its nrogress baino
observed by means of two tiny masts
upon it, and by means of a switch
board he can cause it to advance or
retreat, or pursue 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
pedo is a spar, with an arrowhead,
and automatically released arms,
When this comes in contact with anv
resisting object, the cartridge is re.
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