Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-03
BIRTH OF MODERN TORPEDO

Thames, the Whitehead torpedo was
adopted by the British admiralty. and
every other nation possessing a navy
followed suit.
were closely guarded. but the principles
and mechanism are now generally un-
derstood by navy people and engineers
dealing both with the engines OF war
and peace.
-
One Of the great inventions which
Increased the range and accuracy OF
the torpedo was the gyroscope.
For the invention of this there are a
number Of claimants, but at least one
student of the history Of the torpedo has
written: THE torpedo was from time to
time improved and modified. but it had
been nearly thirty years in existence be-
fore its range extended to two thousand
yards when an Austrian engineer adapted
the gyroscope for the steering Of tor
pedoes. This proved an immense stride.
as it virtually put helmsman on board
and doubled its range"
When the torpedo started on its career
its motive power was ordinary air. COM
pressed and gradually released for the
operation of the propulsive mechanism.
sible to superheat this air on its passage
to the propelling engine, and. finally. in
the latest type small quantity Of water
is carried which is converted into steam.
thus augmenting the supply of air and
extending the range.
Robert Fulton was working on a sub
marine torpedo at the beginning OF the
washington He obtained little encourage
ment at the Navy Department or the
Washington navy yard. 1t was not SO
much that American naval authorities
model inoperable. as that they considered
the use Of such means in war unfair
They considered the use Of such weapon
not war. but murder.
Fulton sought with more or less sue
cess to interest England and France in
the invention On his return to the
United States from Europe he gave
demonstration in New York harbor July
lay, blown up in the bay by one Of Full
tons charged canisters." Fulton de-
livered a lecture on his invention before
all audience of prominent civilian and
military people At tic, Governors ,n tsIamH. ~
ton in the harbor. He exhibited a tor
pedo which held ITO pounds Of powder.
and he stated. that II he were to permit
had no doubt 1t would blow the fortidca-
tons to pieces.
These incidents were referred to by
Washington Irving. and the narratives
and comment should DO interesting At
this time. Irving wrote as follows:
1.-THE present summer has had full en-
ployment in planning safety for our har-
Dor. Among the various plans that have
been offered. the most conspicuous 10 one
devised and exhibited by that notable con-
federacy. The North River Society,"
Anxious to redeem their reputation. these
aquatic incendiaries have como forward
at the present alarming 1uncture and an
a most potent discovery which II
to guarantee our port from the visits
Of any foreign marauder. The society
has, It seems. Invented cunning machine.
yclept a torpedo. by which the stoutest
line of battle ship may be caught mapping
and decomposed in twinkling; kind Of
submarine powder magazine to swim uu-
der water like an aquatic MOLE or water
rat, and destroy the enemy IN the moment
Of unsuspicious security.
ut was determined an experiment
should be tried, and an old brig was puY-
chased for not more than twice its value
and delivered over to its tormentorv. the
North River Society, to b tortured and
and annihilated. A day was APP
pointed for the occasion, and all the
good citisens of Gotham were invited 70
the blow-up. After q world OF maneuvef-
Ing the old brig was duly blown up -
per arrangement"