The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-09-11
SEA TRIP ON A TORPEDO.
Private Muller Sat on the Back of One
While it Was Operated by Wires
from Land.

From the New York World.
The Sims-kdisOn torpedo, that is con-
structed for an electric fight through
the water, made an experimental trip off
Willets Point with man seated in a
chair on its back yesterday Persons IA
miliar with the appearance of this aquatic
engine know that it is shaped likea cigar.
and that about four inches of the surface
OF II project above water. Its smooth
copper coating CLEANS like a streak of
light when it is in rapid motion.
The question of its ability to bear the
weight of man and the ability of the
man to guide it when an electric current
is forcing it through the water at the rate
of twenty miles an hour has been for
long time a subject of discussion among
the soldiers stationed at the Point. When
1t was resolved to try it soldier named
Muller, who had once been a sailor. was
chosen as the man to experiment with
The action of the torpedo when in fight
is uncertain. Sometimes IL is down at
the bow and the next instant the stern is
submerged. When it is launched it has
been known TO dive straight to the bot
tom and thus disturb the feelings of the
scientific gentlemen VINO have con
cocted it.
All these disadvantages were ex.
planned TO Muller, but he didn't care. He
is lightly built fellow but a strong
swimmer. A chair was dashed to the
shining sides of the marine terror. and
early yesterday morning all the officers
and soldiers were on the wharf waiting
anXiously for the experiment in which a
mans life might be the forfeit
The commanding officer stood by the
dynamo and switch box, and the cable
through which the current ran was
neatly coiled in the stomach of the tor
pedo. Muller, clad in light suit of cloth
ing and wit. a life preserver around his
/ waist, got into the chair He grasped
the improvised rudder lines, and then the
fish was towed out into the clear
water. Near by were some men in a
boat and on the steam torpedo planter
Dyne that were to follow the fish. "
Muller shouted Ready the current is
/ turned on, and the propeller of the tor
pedo begins TO revolve.
The current was increased and the
fish lowered its head under the water
and threw up "a column of white spray as
II 1t were angry. Slowly the bow came
up. There was a swish, a tremor shook
the torpedo, and then II darted away
| Muller braced himself in his chair. and
his stockinged feet moved over the slim
/ perry orCk Of his strange steed IN a vain
search for an obstruction TO which they
/ could cling
/ But he Kept his head and steered true
! tofJhe open water The current was in
] creased and the torpedo came out of tho
/ water like whale that is struck by a
/ harpoon Then it sank again, the water
/ flew away from its pointed bow as it sped
/ along
/ The men on the sailing boats that dot
/ the water in the neigh Uorhood, and the
/ honest fishermen in smaller boats gaze
! with bullying eyes At the cratic fish 80
and wonder If il is something that means
! boom 10 them.
! Muller steered clear of all obstacles, and
| after darling here and there for time
turned his steed into a little bay The
I rudder lines caught at critical moment.
and the fish" darted az a gloomy pile Of
| gray rocks. Muller lifts his hood. the
/ commander saw il, and the current was
! smut on IN time to prevent a Catas .rnphe
! When Muller returned his comrades made
a hero Of him. He had travelled while in
the water al the rate Of eighteen miles an
| hour.