The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-09-21
The Strange Ride That Soldier
Muller Took.
STEERING AN ODD srEED.
Invention TO lake Dives Toward the
Bottom of the sea-A Frojeetne
That CLEANS Like a streak of Light.

NEW YORK, Sept 4.-rhe Sims
Edison torpedo that is constructed for
electric flight through water made an
experimental trip Off Willetts point
with man seated in chair on its
back today. Persons familiar with
the appearance Of the aquatic engine
know that it is shaped like n cigar
and that about four inches of the sur.
face of it projects above the 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
man TO guide il when the electric cur
rent is forcing it through the water at
the rate of twenty miles an hour has
been for long time the subject of
discussion among soldiers stationed
at the point. When il was resolved
TO try il q soldier named Muller, W ho
had once been a sailor, was chosen as
the man TO experiment with. The
action of the torpedo when in flight
is uncertain. Sometimes II is down
at the bow and the next instant the
stern is submerged.
SOME OF ITS ECCENTRICITIES.
When it is launched it has been
known to dive straight to the bottom
and thus disturb the feelings of scien-
tific gentlemen who have concocted
it All these disadvantages were eX-
| planned to Muller, but he didn't care.
He is lightly built fellow, but
strong swimmer. A chair was lashed
TO the shining sides of the marine
terror, and early this morning all the
officers and soldiers were on the wharf
waiting anXiously for the experiment
in which 3 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 torpedo. Muller, clad in light
suit of clothing and with life pre-
server around his waist, got into the
chair He grasped the improvised
rudder lines and then the fish was
lowed out into the clear water. Near
by were some men in boat and on
the steam torpedo Planter Dyne that
were to follow the fish,
THE CURRENT TURNED ON.
Muller shouted "ReadyI" The cur
rent was turned on and the propeller
of the torpedo began TO revolve. The
current was increased, and the "fish"
lowered its head under the water and
IN of nh 70
if it were angry. Slowly the bow
came up. There was a swish. 4 ire
NOR shook the torpedo and then it
darted away. Muller braced himself
in his chair and his stockinged feet
moved over the slippery back of his
strange steed in vain search for an OBJ
struction to which they could cling.
But he kept his head and steered true
for the open water. The current was
increased, and the torpedo came out
of the water like a whale that is
struck by harpoon. Then it sank
again and the water flew from its
pointed bow as it sped along.
Muller steered clear of all obstacles
in the shape of small boats and fish
ing smacks, and after darting here and
there for time turned his steed into
little bay. the rudder lines caught
at critical moment, and the ''fish"
darted at gloomy pile of gray rocks.
Muller lifted his hood. The COM
maDder saw it, and the current was
shut of in time to prevent catastro-
phe.
When Muller returned his comrades
made hero of him. He had travelled
while in the water at the rate of
eighteen miles an hour.