The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-08-06

to secure recognition from the United |
States government.
The torpedo differs considerably
from its predecessors. 1t is almost
rational in it's movements.
1t carries its own motive power; may
be directed from any place; can carry
man If necessary. Its operator may
change his location on shore while the
torpedo is in action. 1t is under such
perfect control that it can be sent in
any direction or stopped at will. 1t
may be discharged against the least
protected portion of an enemy's vessel,
no matter whether that place be at the
surface or 25 feet above or below it,
and then the torpedo itself can be
brought back to be recharged and sent
out again. The most startling thing
about it is it's ability to break through
torpedo nets. For it can bore its way
through any net ever devised. Its
range is three or four miles; that of
the old torpedo is less than 1000 yards.
There is little wonder that naval ex-
perts were skeptical of the merits of
an invention for which apparent i'm
possibilities like these were claimed.
The torpedo is intended to take the
place of torpedo boats. 1t consists of
a thin, cigar-shaped copper shell,
about "a feet long and 30 inches in
diameter. strengthened with bands in
side. To each end of the she'll cones
of heavier copper are bolted. Inside
are several compartments, in which
are an eight-horse power motor of
special design. a storage battery of 60
cells. reel of small, insulated wire,
and the explosive charge in zinc or
aluminium case. From the forward
end extends hollow brass tube, six
| feet long, with a detachable spear
head. At the after end there is a
screw propeller and a double rudder
the propeller shaft being connected
direct to the motor. The mechanism
is not complicated, and it may be rap
idly and easily manufactured by ordi-
nary mechanics. The cost is about
$4,000, one-tenth the price of tor
pedo boat, and much less than the cost
of a torpedo boat destroyer.
The torpedo's charge is placed in an
aluminium case three feet long and a
foot in diameter, and may consist of
IT'S pounds of gun cotton or CORE
spending amount of dynamite or other
high explosive. 1t is inserted in the
forward part OF the torpedo shell as
easily as rife is loaded. Being held
in place by a catch and spring, the
charge remains in position until the
end of the spear-capped rod comes in
contact with something that offers
sufficient resistance to spring the
catch.
The whole torpedo, charged and
ready for service, weighs about $500
pounds, so it rs not too heavy to be
carried on the deck of a ship or be
easily handled ofloat or ashore.
Let us trace an imaginary attack on
ship as practical illustration of the
torpedo's probable working.
We will place the machine at Fort
Warren, in Boston harbor, moored
alongside the dock 1t looks very much
like half catamoran.
At the approach of evening hostile
battleship is sighted entering the bay.
A few hurried orders are given. A half
dozen soldiers run down the slope to
the dock. Two iron davits are swung
outboard. A charge is quickly wheeled
from the magazine and placed in the
copper shell. Within ten minutes after
the first alarm, the torpedo floats just
below the surface, ready for business
Standing on the wharf is an offic .r
who holds small key, which is con-
nected with the torpedo by thin, in
sulated wire. The operator moves the
pointer of his key. makes the electric
connection and the screw of the stern
revolves, the torpedo moves ahead. un-
coiling its wire automatically. The
pointer is moved again, and the ruddel
underneath the propeller turns and the
torpedo darts to starboard taking 3
long sweep through the water away
from the fort and toward the harbol
channel. On speeds the little agent O.
destruction. invisible, yet absolutely
under the control of the officer on shore
Coming to the expected path of thu
approaching ship it is advisable to pro
coed more cautiously. The torpedo
stops and lays too in mid-channel. Th'
, officer, glass in one hand, controlling
board in the other, awaits the approach
, of the enemy. He keeps his torpedo