The record-union., 1897-11-30
INVISIBLE TORPEDO BOATS.
England Rejects Inventions Ap
proved by Other Nations.

Is it true that the officials at the
Admiralty set their faces against any
new invention of an unknown man. and
decline to investigate into it's merits
unless it is brought to their notice by
some one connected with the depart
ment.? S. II. James, the inventor
of the submarine sentry and sounding
machine, asserts that it is, and that the
effect is to force the inventor to take
his production abroad. He cites two in
stances in support of his contention.
There was reference few days ago
in the Daily Mall to the reported in
visibility of French torpedo boats Ac-
cording to Mr.. James, in the summer of
1874 experiments We're made by an
English inventor who covered over a
boat With mirrors placed at an angle
so that Notwithstanding a roll of 25
degrees the whole was absolutely in
visible at range varying between $50
yards and 420 yards in broad daylight
and bright August sunshine
AT shorter ranges, when it was known
whore the boat was, then some indis-
tinct idea could be obtained, and for
this reason the mirrors reflected the
water. But when the observer was be-
rors reelected the water of a slightly
lighter shade, and conversely, when the
boat vas between the observer and the
light, the boat threw it's own shadow.
AT $50 to 420 yards, however these
trivial differences We're entirely lost,
and the boat was absolutely invisible
to the strongest and keenest eye, even
when knowing the exact spot to look
for it.
AT the time" says Mr. James, my
Lords Of the Admiralty were officially
Informed by the inventor, but. as
usual, declined to investigate. The
usual practice of the Admiralty is to
decline anything unless it is brought to
their notice by some one connected
with themselves AS an instance. the
inventor of the submarine sentry. after
obtaining results, asked permission to
try 1t on one of her majesty's ships. or.
failing that, for naval officer to see
1t on merchant ship. Both requests
We're refused.
Some time after a naval officer, who
had seen the sentry at work, happened
to meet the photographer, Captain,
now Admiral, Wharton, and told him
what he had seen. The photographer
then sent naval officer trip to test
and report, and the result is that many.
If not all, her majesty's surveying ships
are fitted with it,
Now, observes Mr.. James. comes
the funny part. The Austrian Govern
ment, through their naval attache.
Commander Jedina officially asked
why it was not generally adopted for
the British Navy. The answer return
ed was that While the sentry had been
found TO do all that it claimed. 1t was
not put upon the battleships because
the officers would trust to it and not
keep sharp lookout
The Austrian naval attache was not
satisfied. He sought out the inventor
and went trip, so that he could report
TO his Government not what he heard.
but what he saw. The consequence is
that while our own navy is unsupplied.
foreign navies (notably German and
American) have it.
Lord Charles Beresford. when in
command of the Undaunted, had one
and spoke of it as a most useful and
excellent invention.
The whole point however" accord
ing to Mr.. James, is to show the NO.
cessaty for department to thoroughly
inquire into new inventions likely to he
useful to either branch of the service
Lord Charles Beresford," he saws. has
been trying for a very long period I'd
effect this Under the present system
any new unknown invention is shelved
by the War Office or Admiralty, and
consequently the inventor is forced to
take it abroad. Is this good" he asks.
for the State as a whole? e?''-London
Mall.