davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17
JaveIin head striking a net.

cost is about $4,000. one-tenth the price
of torpedo boat. and much less than
the cost of 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 guncotton or a corre-
spending amount of dynamite or other
high explosive. 1t is inserted in the
forward part of the torpedo shell as
easily as rifle 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 suf-
ficient resistance to spring the catch.
The whole torpedo, charged and
ready for service, weighs about $500
pounds, so it is not too heavy to be
carried on the deck of a ship or be
easily handled afloat or ashore.
Let us trace an imaginary attack on
a ship as a practical illustration Of the
torpedos probable working.
We will place the machine at Fort
Warren, in Boston harbor, moored
alongside the dock. 1t looks very much
like half a catamaran.
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 herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17
NEW TORPEDO
THAT WORKS
WONDERS.
1t Carries Its Own Motive
Power and Is the Most
Complete Marine
Engine Extant.

Naval experts pronounced the White
head torpedo the most wonderful ma
chine ever invented It is now stated
that there is an even more wonderful
continuance.
1t is the Halpine dirigible auto-mo-
bile torpedo. which, if those who have
watched the tests are not mistaken, is
the most complete engine of marine Of
Tense and defense extant.
The torpedo has been shipped to Will
let's Point, on Long Island, where the
Army Coast Fortifications Board will
determine to what extent this weapon
shall be used in the system Of coast de-
lenses.
Congress has appropriated the neces-
sary money ($50,000), and nothing APP
pears to stand in the way of the early
equipment of the principal seaports
with the means of blowing up any hos
tile ship that comes in sight. Probably
the navy will also use the torpedo. The
machine is not altogether an expert
ment, for, some six years ago, when
the working model was floated, and be-
fore the necessary alterations had been
made, it showed so many good points
that the Brazilian government bought
it to use against the rebels.
Since that time Lieut.. Halpine has
been unwinding red tape in an effort
to secure recognition from the United
States government.
The torpedo differs considerably from
its predecessors. 1t Is almost rational
in it's movements.
o,r,.toc ifo ~
be directed from any place; can carry
a man if necessary. It's 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 enemys vessel,
no matter whether that place be at the
surface or twenty-five 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
it's way through any net ever devised
It's range is three or four miles: that
Of the old torpedo is less than 1000
yards. There is little wonder that nav
al experts were sceptical of the merits
of an invention for which apparent
impossibilities like these were claimed.
The torpedo is intended to take the
place of torpedo boats. 1t consists of
thin, cigar-shaped copper shell, about
twenty-four feet long and thirty inches
in diameter strengthened with bands
inside. To each end of the shell cones
of heavier copper are bolted. Inside
are several compartments, in which are
an eight-horse power motor of special
design, storage battery of sixty cells,
a reel of small, insulated wire, and the
explosive charge in zinc or alumni
UNI case. From the forward end ex-
tends a hollow brass tube, SIX feet long,
with a detachable spear head. At the
after end there is a screw propeller and
double rudder-the propeller shaft
being connected direct to the motor.
The mechanism is not complicated, and
it may be rapidly and easily manu-
featured by ordinary mechanics. The
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

the first alarm, the torpedo floats just
below the surface, ready for business.
Standing on the wharf IL an onicer
who holds small key, which II 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 at the stern
revolves, the torpedo moves ahead. un-
coiling its wire automatically. The point
er Is moved again, and the rudder under
meath the propeller turns and the tor
pedo darts to starboard, taking long
sweep through the water away from the
fort and toward the harbor channel. On
speeds the little agent of destruction,
invisible, yet absolutely under the con-
troll of the officer on shore. Coming to
the expected path of the approaching
ship 1t Is advisable to proceed more
cautiously. The torpedo stops and lays
too in mid-channel. The officer, glass
In one hand, controlling board in the
other, awaits the approach of the en-
envy. He keeps his torpedo in position
by an occasional revolution Of her pro-
peller to offset tide and currents.
On comes the warship, and the criti-
cal moment is at hand. The American
on the dock makes a move on his key
board and his deadly little craft starts
at speed Of eighteen knots toward its
mighty foe, unwinding it's wire as it ad-
vances, and giving no sign of it's pres
ence except by two small metal disk
refectors of red and green that show
above the waves. By these disks the
position of the torpedo is determined;
at night lights are used.
A bolt Of flame leaps from one Of the
1S-inch guns of the warship. She has
opened fire. Then the officer makes a
move on the little switchboard, the
two lights Of the torpedo are seen to
flash almost under the ships bow.
The torpedo nets have been thrown out,
and the javelin head of the torpedo
enters the meshes Of the net. Then
two projecting rods are forced back,
the head becomes entangled in the net
just as a fishhook does in the mouth
Of fish, and the head drops OFF the
rod. The torpedo instantly, automatic-
ally, backs away from danger at full
speed, leaving the spear-head fastened
in the net.
AZ the torpedo backs, the charge Is
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17
En--2241rr-z4M4M4mHHHHHH zzHHHHHHHHHnm
WooIwich Acton wire gun.

sition where any other guns OF what
ever size are now used. Large guns,
throwing from half ton to a ton of
high explosive, may be employed in
coast Notifications, for the destruction
of battleships or any other attacking
craft.
Upon the battleship, II such vessels
are to be employed at all, long-range
torpedo guns throwing from half a ton
to a ton Of high explosive, backed UP
by quick-firing torpedo guns Of small
err caliber, would be her best armament
for the destruction Of other vessels and
coast Notifications.
Light, quick firing torpedo guns may
be used upon torpedo-boats and torpe-
do-boat destroyers in place of the pres
ent guns, and the destruction these
weapons would be capable of doing ad-
mits Of no comparison with the pres
ent types of quiek-firing guns.
AS an example of a quick firing tor
pedo gun, the present six-pounder, or
gun of -and-one-half-inch caliber,
could be replaced by three to three
and-a-half inch quick-flring torpedo
gun, and the explosive charge in
creased from several ounces to several
pouhos' Inc proJectiie WouIo nave but
little less velocity than the present six
FOUNDER shell, sufficient velocity to
give all the accuracy. f1atness of ira
)ectory, range and penetration which
we could POSSIBLY desire In an attack
upon torpedo-ooats ana torpedo-boat
ueseroyers, ana unarmored cruisers.
IN recoshition OF the superiority OF
.ne aerlai 'orpeoo 10 otner forms OF
.olpeuoes anu proJecthes' many In
ven'ors' WIN greater or less degree OF
success nave attempted TO solve the
prooiem OF throwing large masses OF
hlgh explosives from ordnance with
sa1ety. Notaple among these have
peen captain AannsKi' or the United
states army ana MS associates, who.
ceeded in throwing sro,n st .tass sue
pneumatic guns two hundred to Ave-
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

Sol and Cespedes were the first to die.
On the 7th thirty-seven more were shot
and on the 8th eleven others.
The first news reached Washington
late on the 9Th of November. Secre-
tary Fish at once cabled General
Sickles, our Minister in Madrid, to
demonstrate and to demand an expla-
nation. Spain was under the republic
at that time.
The Spanish government Immediate
ly expressed it's regret and ordered the
Cuban authorities to stay all further
proceedings.
Feeling at the time ran very high.
The people clamored for war and the
press rang with denunciations of Span
ish rule in Cuba. The execution Of
Ryan and his fellow filibusters had
been attended by peculiar barbarities.
The vessels of the navy were ordered
into commission and the country was
on the verge of war.
1t was due to Secretary Fish more
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17
PATRIOTS FORM
HIS FAMILY TREE.
Hamilton Fish, the Son Of Generations
Who Worked NobIy in Defense
of Their Country.
NINTH OF HIS NAME in AMERICA.

For four generations the Fish family
has done its part nobly in the defense
and service of it's country. 1t has given
America good soldiers, good statesmen
and good citizens. It's record is long
and honorable. 1t may be said Of this
family that it's sons are typical of all
that is best in American manhood. 1t
belongs to the soil. The founder of the
family in America, Jonathan Fish, was
born in England early in the seven
tenth century and emigrated to
America about 1886. With his brothers
Nathaniel and John he settled first at
Lynn, Mass.
Hamilton Fish, his son, was born in
New York on the Sd of August, 1903,
and was named for Alexander Hamil-
ton.
I He was educated at Columbia Col
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

near Baiquiri, Cuba, was the great
grandson of Nicholas Fish, who en-
tered the Revolutionary War more
than a hundred years ago. He was the
grandson of Hamilton Fish, Grants
Secretary Of State, and the son of
Nicholas Fish, Minister to Brussels.
He was the ninth in direct line of his
name in America. He entered Column
bia College. his grandfathers school.
in 1889, and distinguished himself in
athletics.
Physically, young Fish was O splen-
did specimen of manhood. He stood
six feet two and half inches in his
stockings, and had powerful shoulders
and superb muscular development.
Fear seems to have been entirely alb
sent from his nature, and any faults
he may have had were those of youth
and an exuberant vitality He was
generous and democratic in the ex-
IRENE.
In the Rough Riders he found the
outlet he needed for his love of daring
and adventure. He accepted not only
the dangers but the hardships of the
campaigning cheerfully. He was not
entirely unprepared for them, as he
had had some experience upon a Wy
oming ranch and as a brakeman in
the West. He was devoted to his regi-
ment and to his officers. He Joined the
regiment at San Antonio, Texas, and
on May 10 was appointed second lieu
tenant of Troop +.
But he did not set any value on his
commission, and when Troop was de-
tailed to remain in Tampa and look
after the horses he resigned and was
transferred as a private to Troop L.
He wrote home that if he was promot-
ed it should be upon his merits as a
soldier. Captain Capron made him a
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

Charles g. Halpine, whose reputation
as "Myles O'Reilly," the army poet,
is by no means forgotten. His first
assignment after graduating from An
napolis, carried him to the U. s. 8.
Alliance" European station. From
80 to 81 he was on the monitor PAS
saic," then being used as a receiving
ship. After being advanced one grade
he was sent to the U. S. S. ENTER
PRISE" Ensign Halpine served on the
"Palos," the coast survey schooner
eagle" and steamer Blake" and was
attached to the photographic Office
during the time preceding October /.
1883. Then, as junior lieutenant, he
served on the "Tallapoosa," in South
American waters. About two years
ago Lieut.. Halpine retired from the
service and has been giving all his
time and attention to the torpedo since.
EVERETT B. NERO.
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17
Maxim 46.ton torpedo gun.

tonated under water, to demonstrate
that body Of say, half ton of dyna-
mite viii! destroy the strongest warship
when the mine is so located, within a
distance Of fifty to seventy-f1ve feet,
that the line of least resistance to the
escape of the gases Of explosion shall
lie through the hull of the vessel.
We now come to the next question in
the problem, whether high explosives
are not too sensitive to enable such
large quantities to be projected from
ordnance upon or about warship, in
the form of aerial torpedoes, and at
such range as to render the scheme
practicable.
It Is popularity supposed that the most
essential requisite to a successful sys-
tenn Of throwing aerial torpedoes from
ordnance is to get them out of the gun
gently-that high explosives of all kinds
are very ticklish and have to be han
died with the utmost caution.
Nothing could be farther from the
truth; for there are many high explo-
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

perhaps than to any other man that
thls war was averted.
He compelled Spain to surrender the
Vlrginius and the survivors. He was
unyielding in his demands upon Spain,
and his settlement of the difficulty was
satisfactory to the nation.
Mr.. Fish lived for many years on the
corner of Second avenue and Seven
teenth street. near Stuyvesant square.
The house stood on ground which had
once been part of Governor Stuyve-
SAINTS farm and which has been held
in the family more than two hundred
years, but for which there is no deed
except the original Dutch grants.
He was married in New York on the
18th of December, 1886, to Julia, daugh-
ter of Peter Kean, of Ursino, near
Elizabeth, N. ].
His son, Nicholas Fish, was born in
New York on the 10Th of February.
1916, and was married. to Clemence I.
Bryce.
Young Hamilton Fish, who died in
the engagement on Friday, June "a.
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

larly in the American press, involving
as the system does the question Of
complete revolution in the methods of
warfare now being practiced between
the United States and Spain.
The first question of the problem is
whether or not the body Of dynamite,
say half ton, exploded upon a modern
warship or exploded as submarine
mine beneath or about her, is an eff
Gent agent of destruction; and If so,
can this quantity be successfully ap-
piled.
Enough is already known Of the ma
tuFe and force Of high explosives de-
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

sives, as powerful as No. dynamite.
which may be handled and knocked
about without any caution whatever,
which cannot be ignited when fire is
applied to them, and which may be
stirred up with a red-hot poker with
out danger Such explosives may be
thrown from ordnance at the same We
locity with which ordinary shot and
shell are now thrown from high-power
guns, without the least danger from
the shock in the gun. Wet compressed
guncotton may be fired from a gun at
service velocities, and even exposed,
without any shell or cover whatever, in
direct contact with a propelling charge
of gunpowder without any danger of
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

To borrow a comparison from history.
we find that after firearms were in
troduced, soldiers no longer wore ar
NOR 1t became necessary to sacrifice
all pretense to protection for speed and
mobility. With the introduction Of
large aerial torpedoes, it will be found
that vessel costing one million pounds
sterling and carrying seven hundred to
eight hundred men. yet which can be
destroyed by a single torpedo projected
into her vicinity, is not practical
fighting machine. It will be found
much more effective to divide the men
and the expense by replacing battle
ships with light and swift torpedo cruis-
ers.
1t should be borne in mind that my
system Of throwing aerial torpedoes is
not confined to use upon any particular
sort Of torpedo-boat or cruiser, neither
is the torpedo gun or the aerial torpe-
do confined to any particular magni-
tude, but torpedo guns may be substi-
tuted for present ordnance in any po-
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

defamation.
An essential to successful system of
throwing high explosives from ord
nance lies in the propelling means,
whereby the projectile may be started
in the gun with certain desired
amount of predetermined pressure, and
that pressure be maintained behind the
projectile in its flight throughout the
entire length of the gun.
The axim-Schupphaus smokeless
torpedo powder constitutes such q
means, and by it the maximum range is
secured with minimum shock of accel-
Grafton upon the projectile. This per-
mits the employment of torpedo pro-
jectile large in cross-section and bav-
ing comparatively thin shell, so that
the maximum of high explosive may be
carried for minimum weight of metal.
and velocities attained comparable with
those of projectiles thrown from high
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

explode It. It has been found that dry
guncotton may be thrown with ahso-
lutte safety in sufficient quantity to de-
tomato the most insensitive high ex-
plosive constituting the main charge
of the aerial torpedo. But this dry gum
cotton charge also requires to be de-
tonated before itself can become q de-
tonator of the main charge; conse-
quently, illuminate exploder must be
used. This illuminate is. in fact. the
only ticklish point Of the problem.
When the value and efficiency Of
aerial torpedoes come fully to be rec
ognized, the present battle-ship will be-
come obsolete like the old wooden
walled men-of-war Of q century ago.
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17
"EARTHOUAKE
THROWER'S" FuTuREI
Hudson Maxim Writes of the Engineer
ing Problem of Aerial
49, Torpedoes.


power guns, but with less than ONE
third the powder pressure. Such ,joy
pressure does not call for cannon with
heavy walls, SO that the ordnance does
not require to be ponderous or unwfeldy,
even when having very large caliber.
The question Of fuse has always been
one Of the chief features Of the prob
lem Of successfully throwing large
masses of high explosive from ord
nance. When the main body Of the
high explosive is sufficiently insensi-
tive to be absolutely safe and proof
against all danger of premature ex-
plosion due to the acceleration in the
gun necessary to high velocities. 1t re-
quires strong decorative charge TO
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

sergeant.
He fell far ir advance of his COM
rades, at the side of Captain Capron,
and is buried in the first soil captured
from the enemy.
Richard Harding Davis describes the
spot in his dispatches, and gives as
an eye witness an account of the in
terment Of the young hero who by his
gallantry has won an honorable place
in the history of his family and his
country:
mo man could ask to lie in a more
lovely place. 1t is the highest point.
To the left the valley can be seen for
many miles around. Grass grows high
all about the place. The sun smiles
upon it. Fresh, cool breezes sweep
across increasingly, moving great trees
and royal palms so that they bend low
above it.
"The regiment stood in close ranks
about the grave as the muffled figures
were lowered gently, the chaplain call
ing out the name of each. He called
the names of mule-packer, salesman,
cowboy and, last of all, Hamilton Fish,
Jr., the young sergeant who was car
ried to the front to die, and whose
watch bore the crests of Alexander
Hamilton and Nicholas Fish and the
motto God will give.
God gave him a noble death "a
quick and painless death in the first
rank of battle-and his comrades gave
him noble burial by the side of his
men in soil they had won from an en-
envy and which they had died to set
Free
Coupled with his name will always
be the story of the little child in San
Antonio whose life he saved. The
regiment was drilling near a Mexican
settlement south of the city. AS the
column of horsemen swept up the hill
dusky child came from a clump of
bushes and crossed directly in the path
Of the advancing cavalry.
In moment the child would have
been trampled to death beneath the
hoofs Of the horses of the Rough Rid
ers but FOR young Hamilton Fish, who,
seeing the danger, set spurs to his
horse and sprang ahead of the COL
umn. Leaning low above the bow of
his saddle he caught the child and
swung it up before him to safety. Such
deeds as this are better than epitaphs.
Copyright, 1898, by the International
Literary and News Service.)
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

lege. After his graduation he began
the study of law and was soon admit
ted to the bar. Upon leaving college
Mr.. Fish became interested in politics
He attached himself to the WhiH
party. In the fall of 1884 he was a
candidate for the Assembly, but was
defeated. In 1912 he was elected to
Congress. In 1847 he was elected Lieu
tenant Governor of New York.
After the expiration of his term of
office he was elected to the Senate.
When his Senatorial term expired Mr..
Fish went to Europe with his family
and remained till shortly before the
beginning of the civil war.
He had been conspicuous in the for
nation Of the Republican party, and
upon his return from Europe took an
active part in the election of Abraham
Lincoln.
In 1869 he entered President Grants
Cabinet as Secretary of State. In
March, 1873, he was reappointed by
Grant, and served in all from March
II, 1869, to March -, 1877.
Mr.. Fish was Secretary of State at
the time of the seizure of the Virginius
off the Cuban coast by the Spanish
gunboat Tornado.
The Virginius was first sighted with
in eighteen miles of the Cuban coast
on the 31st of October 1873
She was soon overhauled by the
Spaniard, who fired a shot across her
bow. The virginius made no resist
ance. She was boarded by the officers
of the Tornado, who hauled down the
American flag and hoisted the flag of
Spain. Captain Fry handed over the
papers of the Virginius, and both ves-
sells headed for Santiago de Cuba.
At five o'clock in the afternoon of
November / they arrived at that port,
passing through the channel that is
now blocked by the Merrimac.
Proceedings were Immediately be-
gun by the Spanish authorities against
the captives, who were tried as pi-
rates and, notwithstanding the protest
Of the United States vice-consul, they
were condemned.
On the morning of the 4th of Mo-
vember four were shot. General Ry-
an, General Varona, General Jesus del
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

Maxim 24-inch aer-
ial torpedo carry
ing half a ton of
picric acid incased
in one ton Of
steel. Total weight
5000 Tbs. Maxim
UNI range about
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

1.-THE following article by Hudson
Maxim, of great interest in view of the
recent performances of the vesuvius, is
reprinted. by permission, in a con-
densed form, from the Cosmopolitan
Magazine for July.1
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-17

On the oath Of June a year ago, 1
delivered lecture before the Royal
United Service Institution of Great
Britain, on New System of Throw
ing High Explosives from Ordnance"
The lecture attracted much attention,
and great deal is being said about the
system at the present time, particu-