The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-18
P1r orKNMeHAArs aNAYY.o
The Haventev Eits Up . FishinG Schooner ~
Ono OF His Torpedoea.


NEW BEDFORD, July 17.-Readors OF THE SUN
will remember how Patrick Cunningham Of this
city had a surface trial Of one Of his torpedoos In
this city several months ago. Cunningham Is
an inventor of some prominence and has had a
certain amount OF distinction through tho inven-
ton Of automobile torpcdoes and life.savinR
rockets. Tho last time ho was before the public
was when no set ono OF his torpcdoes loose in the
streets OF this city. The weapon no set Off was
built for the purpose OF blowing battleships out
OF water, but as there were no ships OF war
handy Cunningham endeavorod to show what
the missile could do on dry land. lilo succeeded
admirably. Fortunately nobody was killed, but
the torpedo nearly wrecked several houses and
scared the inhabitants of the noighborhood most
to death.
Cunningham was let OF easily by tho authors.
ties for his escapade. He has been endeavoring
to interest the Government In his torpedo, and
several trials have been made. Now, however,
he has arranged for moro practical experiments.
He has fitted an old fishing schooner with q tor
pedo tube, and no 10 going to show the Govern
ment experts Just what his machine will co.
The schooner has been on the ways for some time
having the tube fitted, but she was launched
to-day. Tho tube In a huge affair. Of original
construction, and Is little less remarkable than
tho torpedo. 1t will doubtless give Mr.. Cunning
nam n cnance 10 snow inc cHectlVeness OF MS
projectilc such rs he has not had since the De-
stroyer was sold to the Brazilian Government
by the Ericsson Company.
The tube has been placed In tho forward part
Of tho hold of the schooner parallel to and close
TO the keelson on the starboard side. 1t projects
about q foot through the hull of the. craft, just
beside the ,cutwater, and 10 provided with an
automatic shutter, which will be.closed water.
tight when the gun Is not In use and opened at
the instant the gun Is. ready for firing. Tho
part around the end OF, tho tube has been rein
forced by heavy planking and the tube has q
braced and cross-braced In all directions by
heavy iron rods to prevent Its going through
the hull Of the vessel by q recoil.
The tube Is made from Mr.. Cunningham's own
inch thick. 20 feet long, and Is inches ssSSei in al a.
Is HR the most 1. p ~ea i 1 psrt Of aT tho .G tube, b BENG er SsfS
operation. The projectile is intended to be fred
BY means OF an electric apparatus. The tor.
the powder chambers Of its interior to
the outer end of the breech. Hero they
terminate in a screw plug, fitted to engage q
There 10 also a hook on the inner side Of the
block, to which 10 attached a lanyard from tho
breech OF the torpedo. securing. tho projcctilc
In rough weather.. Tho electrodes are carried
through the breech block to a tube u foot long,
fastened to the tail end Of the whole apparatus
The schooner will be heavily ballasted to bring
the tube down to its proper level. This will be
about four feet below the surface. At this Lowell
the Cunningham torpedo has been shown to have
its greatest effectiveness and would prove. a
deadly weapon in offensive naval fighting. The
schooner 10 not designed as a real fighting YES
Tired from the moving craft. Nevertheless,
folks hereabouts call her tho Cunningham navy.
She will probably be tried in the waters near
port, where she will DO exhibited to the officers
ut the torpedo station.