The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-06

Wei with a torpedo fiotilla. Attacks were
made on two successive nights. which re-
suited in sinking four vessels TWO OF which
were armored ships Of war.
In this country and some other countries
possessing an extensive seacoast the serv-
ice Of torpedoes has been divided between
the navy and the engineer of the army
the former operating extensively afoat
and the latter defensiveiy from the shore.
While in general the line OF demarkation
between the two services is thus plainly
marked some OF the weapons. such as fish
torpedoes. steered by electricity, may be
operated either from land or from ship
board. and may be used in war either by
army or navy. as occasion might oner-
The Whitehead Terror.
One OF the most successful types Of tor
pedoes. and one which might have caused
the ruin of the Maine. is known as the
Whitehead. The right 10 use this torpedo
has been purchased by the United States
and by most European nations. 1t consists
of an iron and steel vessel In the shape OF
a spindle, and is driven by a propeller
moved by compressed air. Ii can be pro-
jected from launching tube or started by
hand. and Is capable Of regulating and
preserving its depth aud direction, within
narrow limits in still water. such as tho
Havana haTbor offers. The latest Brit
ish pattern Of the Whitehead carries
charge of 20 pounds Of gun cotton. enough
20 blow any ship out Of water.
The fish torpedo IS essentially boat
Of the Whitehead class, which carries and
unreels "a coli Of insulated wire. through
which the electric current from a battery
on shore or shipboard can be passed at
Will and made to control its motions per-
fectly. The boat may be set to move at
the surface or below II. Her position Is
made known 70 the operator by two small
tiaga carried near the water level. which
at night are replaced by two lanterns.
shaded In front as not to be seen by ths
enemy. Any % the modern expaeiyes may
be employed. and defamation results from
the SETON Of a mechanical fuse or cir
cult closer and battery.
Man, Prevailing Types.
There are many types Of the offensive
torpedo similar TO the Whitehead and tho
fish torpedo hut the complexity OF their
construction and the large percentage OF
failures In their attempted runs have OPP
Grated strongly against their adoption in
actual service IL IL the defensive torpedo
which has come 10 he regarded as the es-
sential auxiliary Of the land gun for the
defense Of harbors. The modern suhma-
rine mine has reached stage Of perfec-
ton which practically guarantees the safs-
~ OF the city which I. under its pro-
lection, its development being largely due
10 the employment or electricity as an ig-
hitting agent.
The mines are usually arranged 10 be
fired ar Will. or automatically by the
touch Of the vessel. Two types OF eIee-
trfcal mines are In use. the ground and
the buoyant. The former is employed In
comparatively shallow water, and con-
slsts of case resting upon the bottom
and containing a large charge or dyna-
mite Floating near IT, but so far below
the water surface as t0 be concealed from
view, is buoy carrying circui,-closer
70 regulate the current through fuse
Embedded IN the former
The buoyant mine Is designed for use
IN deep water and consists OF IN anchor
holding In position torpedo floating Just
below the surface The latter contains
the charge Of dynamite the fuse and the
ctreuif-closer. IT desired the circuit-close-
may he carried by n separate buoy, so
placed that wheH touched ny out-rigge-s
or other torpedo catchsrs the mine viii 70
directly under the vessel. THE channel 70
be defended Is fhickly studded by lines
q these rnines. so arranged with respect
20 each other that no vessel can pass with
out coming In contact with one or more
OF them.-~Chcago Times Herald.