Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-12-02

of maintaining with safety the high
speed of the vessel or changing the
direction of its movements with
rapidlty, 10y the necessity OF eilccting
the control from point which is
practically fixed, and from many other
drawbacks which are inscparably con-
ncctcd with such system.
"The plan which | have perfected
involves none of those objections, for
am enabled by the use of my inven-
tion to employ any means of propul-
sion to impart to the moving body or
vessel the highest possible speed, to
control the operation OF its machinery,
and TO direct its movements from
either fixed point or from body
moving and changing its direction,
however rapidly, and to maintain this
control over great distances without
any artificial connection between the
vessel and the apparatus governing its
movement and without such restric-
tions as these must necessarily im-
pose.
"In Il broad sense, then, my inven-
ton differs from all OF those systems
which provide for the control of the
mechanism carried by a moving oh
ject and governing its motion in that
| require no intermediate wires, cables.
or other form of electrical or mechani-
cal connection with the object save
the natural media in space.
"I accomplish, nevertheless, similar
results, and in much more practical
cable manner by producing waves, im-
pulses, or radiations which are re-
ceived through the earth, water, or at
mosphere by suitable apparatus on the
moving body and cause the desired ac-
tions so long rs the body remains with
in the active region or effective range
of such currents, waves, impulses or
radiations.
Having explained some of the pos
sibilities of the Device" continued
Tesla. al will now give you practi-
cal example of the workings of the
model before going into detailed de-
scription of how am able to produce
these results"
Elevated on stocks in the center of
the laboratory stood a model of a
screw propelled craft about four feet
long and deep. Tesla explained that
it was merely working model which
he had made to order to exhibit it to
President Mckinley, and that no at
tempt had been made to follow the us
ual sharp lines of a torpedo boat
The deck was slightly arched and sur
mounted by three slender standards,
the center one being considerably
higher than the other two, which car
ried small incandescent bulbs, third
bulb being fixed at the bow.
The keel consisted of massive cop
per plate, the propeller and rudder be-
ing in the usual positions. Tesla ex-
planned that the boat contained the
propelling machinery, consisting of an
electric motor actuated by storage
battery in the hold, another motor to
actuate the rudder and the delicate
mechanism which performs the func-
ton of receiving through the central
standard the electric impulses sent
through the atmosphere from the dis
tant operating station. which set in
motion the propelling and steering
motors, and through them light or ex-
tinguish the electric bulbs and fire the
exploding charge in a chamber in the
bow in response to signals sent by the
operator.
"Now, watch," said the inventor,
and, going to table on the other side
of the room, on which lay little
switchbox, about five inches square, he
gave the lever a sharp turn. Instantly
the little bronze propeller began to re-
volve at furious rate. "Now will
send the boat to starboard," he said,
and another quick movement of the
lever sent the helm sharp over, and
another movement turned it as rapidly
back again. At another signal the
screw stopped and reversed.
"During the day." continued Tesla,
his hand still on the lever, we should
steer our course by keeping the two
standards in line, but at night we
should depend on the electric lights,
which would, of course, be screened so
as not to be visible to the enemy" and
at signal both the tiny bulbs were IL
Eliminated.
"Now we will assume that the boat
has arrived within striking distance of
the vessel to be destroyed, and the
bulb in the bow will serve to show
that the explosion has taken place."
AS he spoke he touched the lever
again and the light flashed and was
extinguished.
"Imagine, if you can," said Tesla,
as he went back to his desk, what an
irresistible instrument of destruction
we have in a torpedo boat thus con-
trolled, which we can operate day or
night, OH the surface or below it, and
from any distance that may be desired.
A ship thus assailed would have no
possibility OF escape.
Il can apply this system OF control