The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-10
SUCCESSFULLY TESTED IN CON-
NEcTIoN WITH TORPEDOES IN
THE CAMP AT PEEKSKlLL
THE RESULTS OBTAINED
REGARDED AS SATISFACTORY
Done Without Any Formal Exhibition
of Specially Prepared Material or
Technical Apparatus-Opinion Ex-
pressed That the Adaptabiity Of the
Telephone to Field Operations Is
Fully Demonstrated.

of electricity to practical military pur-
poses is one of the questions of the
hour, and it has to an important ex-
tent been solved by the authorities of
the National guard of the state of
New York. The experiments made this
summer at the state camp at Peekskill
have resulted in certain demonstrations
of special interest to National guard
regiments throughout the country.
Today, of course, suggestions are rife
in military circles as to the proba ble
ultimate general employment of cleo
tric power Gas applied even to automo-
biles, etc.) by forces in the field, and
all this has been and is the subject of
constant and progressive experimental
ton on the part of our local militia au-
thorities.
The particular experiments to which
this latter refers were made a few
days ago at Peekskill Camp by the
18th regiment, heavy artillery, of the
national guard of the state. Sub
marine torpedo practice and trails of
the flying telephone line were carried
out
The demonstrations had were con-
sidered very successful, and as giving
great encouragement to the operators.
1t was one more instance of how cleo
trio power may be successfully adapt
ed to the uses of the soldier, and of
how it may be made to facilitate mill
tary operations in no small degree.
Material Found Haphazard.
The practice in submarine torpedo
ing was undertaken by Company M.
1t was of even greater practical value
because it was done without any for
NAL exhibition of specially prepared
material or technical apparatus 1t
was no parlor display of skill-no pref
ty demonstration done for the recrea-
ton of select drawing room audience.
1t was thoroughly extempore.
Company M. found their own ma
terial alfresco, at hap-hazard, thus
showing what they could do in emery
gency and without help. They began
by collecting some black powder and
a couple of empty kegs, supplemented
by supply of axle grease.
From this heterogeneous mass the
company constructed watertight
mine. This was sunk off the outpost
at distance of about $50 yards be-
ing connected by rubber insulated
Wire, with an incandescent light fuse
1t was then successfully discharged
Next, a second mine was put under
the water-logged hull of an old schoon-
er formerly used for transporting
bricks, and which for a dozen years
1lcio OSS11 1yII1S III Tie river InuQ NOT
far from a railway trestle
The exploding of this second mine
was undertaken at night, when it was
perfectly dark, and without the as
s1stance of lantern light. The result
was eminently satisfactory, the old
schooner hulk being shattered to
pieces.
The experiments with the flying tele-
phone line were also conducted by
Company al. Sergeant M. c. Sullivan
had charge of the detail told off for
the work, which was what may be de-
Scrlbed as that of electrical scouts"
The operators had for material-Which,
as in the case of the torpedo expert
ment, was all improvised-a regulation
army wagon. On the latter the car
penters had constructed a reel. The
latter was served by a detail of six
men. The scouts carried, strapped to
their backs, portable telephone instru-
ments, attached to carrying cases.
Three miles of insulated, wire very
rapidly lard, being placed so that the
scouts could bridge in and make con-
nectlons at any point desired on the
line.
Nature of the Experiment.
The actual experimenting was this:
The scouts, being stationed in bomb
proof hut, close by the targets, used
the line for telephoning to the gunners
the results of their craftsmanship
The instruments were designed with
a special view to their operation over
line the insulation of which between
conductor and earth could be very low
and in case it became broken from
any cause would still be able to give
service. This special design differs
from the ordinary commercial model
just so far that it requires greater
battery power and somewhat louder
talking, in order to secure first class
service.
In the laying of the line it was sought
only to build a very temporary affair,
save that obstructing gate ways along
the route We're avoided. The wire while
the wagon team proceeded at a trotting
pace, was reeled off like rope. The
insulation of the line to earth was
found to be very low; it's conductiyity.
however, was high, being composed of
NO IA, B. & S. high grade copper.
AT the camp end of the line it was
grounded in the water works at the
target and a pool was made andS sew
eral metal washbasins attached to
each other. The wagon used for the
experiments was the regulation type of
the quartermaster's department, and
had a Wo-Wheeled vehicle been used
a great increase in the range of opera
tons might have been secured, and
the conductor have been laid down
with even greater celebrity than it was.
These experiments are regarded here
as extremely successful, and opinions
are freely expressed that the adapta-
billy OF the telephone for field opera
tons has been demonstrated in a very
convincing manner.-George Morris.