The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-24

There are two ways of discharging or
projecting torpedoes, above water and I'M
der water. by means of impulse tubes
using some propel.ant. Formerly COM
pressed air was employed, but the most
recent arrangements provide for a gum
powder discharge.
The below water discharge has the ad-
vantage over the above water discharge
OF affordng protection TO the men manipu-
lating the weapon. while the torpedo it,
self Is less DETECTED ON entering the
water Above water discharge labors
under the defects of being liable to pre-
mature explosion of the torpedo by the
enemy's fire, and on account of the varia-
bility of the height above water caused
by the motion of the boat in a sea way.
But there are advantages in above water
discharges. especially when firing tor
pedoes from a broadside-the tubes can
be trained like guns. Also the ahovs
water tubes can be protected by steel
screens. much in the same way that guns
are protected.
On board recently constructed torpedo
boats the discharge tubes are on deck.
generally on the fore and aft line. one
forward the other aft, bnt near either
extremity, fer the water coming over the
bow forward and the vibratory motion
due 10 the propeller aft affect the tor
pedoes Since a boat usually carries one
weapon IN 0eF gun CfdiStn anu u
and only one round besides the location
Of the tubes or guns must be carefully
considered
The rapid development OF the torpedo
boat is almost phenomenal. more espe-
cially since IL has been progressing for
only twenty years. To Messrs. YarFow
d Thornycroft. of England. is mainly due
this advancement. The qualifications
sought in the torpedo boat as exemplitied
NJ g1fr
Flrsi-Speed, including durability OF en-
Eines and boilers.
Second-Iia Hardness in maneuvering.
Th.rd-Coai endurance.
Fourth-Ssaworthin
Flf,h-Sze. Including Availability and
Sixth-Armament. including torpedoes
seventh-Vu!nerab llity.
The greatest advantage OF speed is that
II permits the boat TO pass over In the
shortest time. and therefore with the
greater safety, the space between the
point where she first comes within effec-
tive range OF the rapid-fire guns OF the
attacked vessels and the point where she
can deliver her blow and also because
she can retire beyond this dangerous
snace in the shortest time. This danger
Gus space extends over some go 10 100
vards-i, e.. from l.@0 yards distant from
The ship 10 he attacked TO 800 yards from
launched 70 be most effective.
The Porter in Action.
II the Porter were running at the rate
Of tyenty-four knots it would take her
saxty-six seconds 10 go over so yards or
danger space; SIS seconds 10 go over 10
yards and 81 seconds TO travel $50 yards
Now. allowing the rate or fire from the
rapid fra ard machine guns OF a warship
10 be 100 shots per minute. the Porter
would pe exposed while passing over these
distances at twenty-four knots speed % the
following number OF saofs: over the go
yards danger space TO ]. l02 shots. over 10
yards 90 81 shots and over 80 yards 10
SIS shots.
As 4 matter OF fart all these shots would
not ~ the boat but II we make an al
lowsnce OF say 3 per cent. dong 80. IL VII
be found that while travelling over the
spaces the Porter would be struck Ia go
Ing over 50 yards g times. over Tso yards
p times AID 81 going over so yards Is
times
However. the value Of torpedo boats In
war time vii BE- felt In two distinct ways
actively and potentially: actively in dam