Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-09

days In getting ready to explain and de-
monstrate what I could do to PRESIDENT
Mckinley, and then Cervera's fleet MADE
the attempt TO escape and was destroyeu
by Admiral SIMPSONS feet. with victory
already on our side. / decided to 90 no
thing more at that time. but l went on
and completed my arrangements LOT ,he
making OF such a demonstration AT ma
bana. in case we had TO take tnat city.
Fortunately for the country, we were
saved from having 10 take Habana. and
so the necessity for the DEMONSTRATION
ceased"
NAvIES RENDERED. USELESS.
Mr. Tesla declares that almost every
part OF the working devices Tor putting
shoat a feet OF automatic vesseis VI WI
can be bought I'm the markets. and tnat
in the case OF "a war. for instance. pe-
tween France and England or any OF the
other great Powers, 1t would take put
few DAYS or weeks for any or these ma
lions TO have ready quantities OF engines
Of war that would make the guns anu
armOr of ths war fleets useless TOT oHence
and defence. One fast, unarmored vessel
without a gun aboard her. Dut supphsu
with fleet of little vessels whose move
ments could be controlled by an opefutoI
aboard OF the big vessel. could destroy
the fleet Of any enemy without ever COM
ing anywhere within the range OF any
OF the destructive engines or present war
fare, or could send vast quantities Oh tA-
plosiyes into a hostile harbor where tnelr
explosions would be almost as destructive
as an earthquake. Such are the visions
which Mr.. Tesla sees OF the possibilities
Of his invention. and these he believes
would insure a universal peace. -,
If war came 1t would be war with
machines on none OF which was there a
man. His moving automatons could DE
made IL needed, to discharge at the Will
Of the operator. bombs, cannon. torpe-
does. or any other offensive weapons;
With fleet Of such little vessels directed
from one vessel, each would answer 10
the signals meant for 1t alone, and 1t
would be impossible for the enemy 10
control any of them, because each would
be attuned 10 answer only 10 certain de-
finite electrical vibrations, which could
be known only to the proper operator.
An attempt 10 interfere with their opera
ton by others would be like the attempt
or a burglar TO find the combination OF
safe-lock.
In his application for patent Mr.. .Tes-
la describes the various ways when nave
been heretofore used to control such NOV
ing objects as automobile tOrpedoes, ana
says:
I'm q broad sense, then, my invention
differs from all OF those systems when
provide for the control of the mechanism
carried by a moving object and govern
ing it's motion, in that l require no inter-
mediate wires cables, or other form or
electrical or mechanical connection with
the object, save the natural media In
space. | accomplish nevertheless, similar
results. and in much more practicable
manner, by producing waves, Impulses
or radiations which are received through
the earth, water, or atmosphere by SUIT,
able apparatus on the moving body, ana
cause the desired actions, so long as the
body remains within the active region
or effective range Of such currents, waves
impulses. or radiations These actions ne
cessitated the designing Of devices and
apparatus Of novel kind, in order 10
utilize TO the best advantage various
facts or results which either through
my own investigations or those or others,
have been rendered practically available
VAST AREAS COVERED.
He then describes a number of ways,
well known to electricians, by which an
| electric effect could be transmitted to a
| distance without direct connection, ana
saws: but by adopting such means as L
| have deVised-that Is, either by passing
| through the conducting path currents OK
| a specially designed high frequency al
| ternator; or, better still, those or q
strongly charged condenser, very hlgn
| rate OF change may be obtained, and the
| effective range OF the influence thus eX-
| tended over a vast area, and by carefully
| adjusting the circuit on the moving Dody
| so as 10 be in exact electromagnetic
| synchronism with the primary disturb
ances. this influence may be utilized az
vast distances"
The device which he has adopted for his
| model demonstration consists or current
| of enormous voltage. which can be pro-
| iected in waves at the Will or the opera
| tor by the turning OF a little crank. Two
| waves 20 forth at each half turn. Inc
! effect of these is like that OF the Ylbra-
| lions produced by the voice in teie-
| phoue. On the little vessel to be con-
| trolled IS broken electrical circuit, zoos
| particles OF a metallic oxide being at tins
| noint of separation. A current Is always
| endeayoring to pass through these, bu'
| fails. The magnetic waves produced 10y
| the operator bring together by magneu'
| ocson these particles, which thus nave
| mower 10 conduct an electric current
| when the operator sends out his Slgnal
| This current is enabled to pass through
| The oxide. and does so, bringing down al
| armature upon a magnet. WIN inc III
| move OF the armature clockWork ssaIt'
| and prepares TO set the machinery Oh m
| vessel into action by closing other elec
! trio circuits as soon as IL may DE released
| A second magnetic wave moves the arIna
| ture again, and the vessels maGhlner.
| heqins 10 move Then, by special devices
| comhinations Of impulses coming IRON
| tho onerator are made TO operate eaci
and every part Of the machinery IN th'
vessel at the will OF the operator.
| Amonp the new things designed by MT
Tesla in carrying out MS purpoS,etis - FL a.
| aoitator for shaking up the metalllc o%id'
| az the end OF each impulse, 10 break IL
| co,ductivity. and a new way or maklhl
tba nowder' TO insure its uniformity o
c con and size of its grains. vesse
I6U mill after the manner described couI'
be made to dive or rise at will and cou u
be directed by a chart ana hS Sps,r ouI =,
Sisnt her progress, and still have ne ne.
M wIie~ water. her position could be deter
u u,ued by slender rod poking up aboy.
water in the daytime, or at hlsnt % ~
| flashes of light made up ih'o 'ne al .
the will of the operator.