The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-11

going into a detailed description of how
1 am able to produce these results"
Elevated on stocks in the center of
the laboratory stood a model Of screw
propelled craft about four feet long and
somewhat Extraordinarily wide and
deep. Tesla explained that it was mere
" a working model which he had made
an order to exhibit it to President Nc
Kinley, and that no attempt had been
made to follow the usual sharp lines Of
a torpedo boat. The deck was slightly
arched and surmounted by three slender
standards, the center one being consid-
erably higher than the other two which
carried 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 pro-
pelling machinery, consisting of an cleo
trio motor actuated by a storage bat
terry In the hold, another motor to act
uate the rudder and the delicate me-
chanism which performs the function
of receiving through the central stand
ard the electric impulses sent through
the atmosphere from the distant operat-
ing station, which set in motion the
propelling and steering motors, and
through them light or eXtinguiSh the
electric bulbs and fire the exploding
charge in chamber in the bow in re-
Spouse to signals sent by the operator.
Now, watch" said the inventor, and,
going to a table on the other side of
the room, on which lay little switch
DOX, ABOUT IVe 1nCneS square, ne gave
the lever sharp turn. instantly the
little bronze propeller began in reVolVe
at a furious rate. Now will send the
boat to starboard," he said, and anoth-
er quick movement of the lever sent the
helm sharp over, and another move
ment 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, I'VE 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 ilumt-
mated.
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 ex-
tinguished.
Imagine If you cam" said Tesla, as
he went back to his desk, what an ir-
resistible instrument of destruction, we
have in a torpedo boat thus controlled,
which we can operate day or night, on
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 to
any type of vessel and of any size. 1t is
not even necessary to make close ap-
preach to the vessel to be destroyed. At
the distance of 100 feet the explosion or
200 pounds of dynamite will exert a
shattering effect on a battleship, but
there is no reason why We should not
load a vessel with 200 or 300 tons, or
even more, of dynamite, which, explod-
ed even a. mile or so away, would raise
a wave that would overwhelm the big
gest ship ever built
But have no desire that my fame
should rest on the invention of a mere
~ destructive device, no matter how
terrible. I prefer to be remembered as
the inventor who succeeded in abolish
ing war. That will be my highest pride.
But there are many peaceful uses to
which my invention can be put, con-
spicuously that of rescuing the ship
wrecked.
1T will be perfectly feasible to equip
our life-SaViflS stations with life cars,
or life-boats, directed and controlled
from the shore, which will approach
stranded vessels and bring off the pas
sengers and crews without TiSking the
lives of the brave fellows who are now
forced to fight their way to the rescue
through the raging surf. 1t may also
be used for the propulsion of pilot boats
for carrying letters or provisions or in
strumerts to inaccessible regions, for
killing whales and for many other COM
mercial or scientific purposes"
"Is there any limit" he was asked,
''tO the distance at which the controlling
device can be operated?''
I'm the operations of war" replied
Tesla, 1.-The radius of control would US
ually be limited by the range of the
vision of the operator. whether af1oat or
ashore. but otherwise there is no limit
to the distance. In order to give a prac-
teal illustra ton of this it is my inten-
ton to exhibit a model of a. torpedo
boat at the Paris exposition and direct
all it's movements from an office in New
York, precisely as I have shown you the
working of the model here today, except
that in Paris I intend to exhibit it
afOat in a tank"