Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1898-04-14
TORPEDO SERVICE.
Difference Between Torpedo Boats and
Destroyers- Comparison of the
Spanish and American Vessels.

A reader asks the difference be-
tween torpedo boat and a torpedo
boat destroyer.
Torpedo boats have displaceme nts
Of from 80 to 125 tons. They make q
speciality OF torpedoes and carry only
a few light rapid fire gums to repel
boarders. Their speed is usually from
20 to 25 knots. They cast torpedoes
from pneumatic tubes.
The torpedo sinks to regulated
depth and travels under water at q
speed of about 2s miles an hour. II ia
propelled by It's own machinery which
is driven by air compressed In the
cylinder. The explosion is by concus-
sion.
The torpedo can run about 1000
yards, but cannot be very accurately
delivered at q distance of more than
$50 yards.
Torpedo boat destroyers range in
sizs from $50 to 800 tons. The desid-
eratum is speed. Some of these Span
ish vessels make 80 knots which ia
about "a miles an hour. They carry
about 20 men while the torpedo boat
carries only 20. Their armament ie
especially designed for the destruction
of torpedo boats. They also carry
large torpedoes which can be used
against battle ships. is
Both torpedo boats and torpedo
boat destroyers are 80 lightly built
that they can be destroyed with very
small guns. 1t is necessary to build
them very light in order to obtain the
requisite speed.
Torpedoes range in length from
IL to IS feet and carry from 125 to 25t
pounds of gun cotton. The cost of the
smallest is So, 400 each. If the ma.
chinery of the torpedo fails to work /,
sinks to the bottom and Is then out oi
the way of navigation.
Spain has twelve torpedo boats
The United States has only ten ant
they are scarcely as good as tn,
spanish vessels.
Spain has seven torpedo boat de.
stroyers and the United States hal
none. We are now remodeling few
fast yachts to be used as destroyers.
The large vessels protect Themselves
from the torpedo boats by letting
down nets made of heavy metal rings
They are supported by horizontal
bars. ....s.t,..z
Close Primaries in Monroe County
PARIS, Mo-, April 6.-The officia
returns from the Monroe County
Democratic primary election held last
Saturday show the following selec.
tions: ~
For Representative, James White
cotton, without opposition; Collector
seven candidates, James Umstattd
by 6s3 plurality over o. P. Mccarthy;
Circuit Clerk, four candidates, Johr
NJ. Smock was elected by five votes
The race was one of the most exciting
ever experienced In this county, the
vote of the three leading men being
as follows: John F. Smock, 1,141;
Chas. A. Creigh, 1,1s6; James 81. Hill
LIPS.
The race for County Clerk wal
equally exciting between Oswald T
Guthrie and J. L. Wright, Guthri,
winning by three votes. For Probate
Judge, three candidates, Thomas F
Hurd was elected by 7o4 plurality ovel
George w. Farrell. James w. Clark
Sheriff, by 343 majority over Rober
II. Smithey.
Fer County Judge, Western Dis
trict, six candidates, James 8. Aller
elected by 191 plurality over j. w
Arnold.
The Ave following officers elected
without opposition: Presiding Judge
John T. Wooden; Judge of Eastern
District, j. G.. Adams; Prosecuting
Attorney, T. T. Rodes; Treasurer
Chas. /, Allen; Coroner, DIR. E. w
Johnson.
Charles A. Creigh says he will con
test the vote for Circuit Clerk.