The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-25
feasible. Mr.. Taggart is quite modest
IN discussing his idea

feasible. Mr.. Taggart is quite modes,
| IN discussing his idea
Works by Air Pressure Pistons.
The plan that 1 have in mind is
very simple" said he at consists 81
a sheet of steel, say HAIR an inch thiclr
| passing entirely around a battIeshin
! from the water-line to the bottom
| Inc weight of this sheet of steel would
| De sustained by loops resting on stout
! projections at the side of the shin
above the water-line, each proiection
/ having an attached arm about 3 feet
long, adjusted by a hinge about 2
| lnches from the side of the vessel and
supported by heavy stay-chains, and
provided with a trip, SO that when the
steel loop is brought against the side
OF the ship, the arm will be flexed and
also brought firmly against the side.
steel sheet is to be kept in
posltlon by piston rods passing
tHfouSh boxing in the walls of the
snip and adjusted in air cylinders IN
the inside; the air pressure to be con-
tToiled by apparatus on the bridge of
the vessel, so that the pressure can
be changed from one side of the MIS-
ton head to the other, instantly. nv
the navigator of the ship
Zen powerful air pressure from
an ar tank is released from the outer
SIDE OF the cylinder head, and turned
INTO the inner side, the steel sheet is
Immediately pushed out, say a dis
tance of three feet from the sides
of the vessel. The supporting arms
at the side of the ship immediateIv
extend and rest upon the stay chains
ara the entire steel structure is sup
ported and held firmly at a distance
from the side of the ship.
Water Makes Solid Wall.
A wall of water about three feet in
thickness, reinforced by the sheet of
steel, Is confined all around the YES
sell Water, when acted on instan-
taneously, is almost rigid The tor
pedo would explode against the steel
sheet, and it is believed that the ex-
pioslcD would not result in a rup-
ture of the wall or skin of the ship
There would be some difficulty in
adjusting this steel sheet at the bow.
but 1t could be readily overcome, and
somewhat less difficulty at the stern,
the details of which would have to he
worked out.
All the projections and fastenines
OF the steel sheet would have to be
on the outside of the protection sheet,
SO that when it is pressed firmly
against the ship by air pressure, it
would add only an inch to the width
OF the vessel and would but slightly
diminish its speed. The cylinders
could be adjusted Immediately be-
meath the decks, and 1 think a cylin-
der for each 10 or II feet square
would be sufficient.
Ships Helpless Against Subs.
Unless battleships can be protected
IN some way against tOrpedOeS, they
are practically useless in time Of war
They are constructed to fight other
and are helpless against
craft. At the present
stage of naval development, a battle
ship is the most magnificent pile of
junk the world has ever seen.
wouldn't this steel sheet protec-
ton add great deal to the weight of
a batt1eship?" Congressman Taggart
was asked.
Not relatively" he replied steel
weighs about 400 pounds to the cubic
foot. With it's attachments a sheet
half an inch thick would weigh 90
pounds to the square foot. A protec-
ton wall of a half-inch sheet of steel
passing around a ship a thousand feet
in circumference, and 25 feet Deep
would weigh only about $50 tons-a
very small proportion of the weight
of a battleship or cruiser"
wouldn't a steel lattice work be
just as efficient and much lighter ?"
he was asked.
Itwould be lighter, of course" said
Mr.. Taggart, but it would cause so
much friction that it would seriously
impede the ship. Speed is considered
a great factor, and the rough surface
of the screen would not do
Congressman Taggart has given
much study to the question of land
cefenses and at the coming session Of
congress will endeavor to have some |
Of his ideas enacted into law.