Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-05

at Bath
Arthur f. Ericsson of Beverly, Mass
nephew of Edwin r. Taylor of this
city has been allowed L. S. patents on
his radio controlled torpedo. The
patent Will be issued June 18th, 1917.
Eriscon was in this city February of
1916 when he and bride came here on
OF the L. s. Naval Radio Station at
Bath He and his two assistants
erected the station themselves. The
station for its size has wonderful
range and the very latest design of APP
paratus is used there.
In 1907 Ericsson gave public
demonstration of his radio control sys-
TEN using railroad block signals for
demonstration purposes. before the
Harmony Grange of Easton, Mass,
which was well represented by cleo
trical engineers and others interested
wireless in the sciences of radio. TheE
all marvellcd at the accurateneSS ana
ease of control Ericsson had over his
system at that time. He then decided
that his system, though useful in more
ways than one to make what he estl-
mated to be a simple and accurate
wireless torpedo. He experimental for
6 tsix) years with this. using small
dingy boat and models for the purpose
and now has built his second actual
model which he calls No. 2. The NO.
. has all the latest designs in the hull
construction and visitors who have
been able to get a view of the interior
say it is one of the most remarkable
of electrical apparatus
and the accuracy with which the rud-
der is moved by electricity, is beyond
explanation. However no eyes have
ever fallen on the control system be-
yond the steering room. The torpedo
is divided into sections similar 20 the
great liners. each compartment con-
tains the following apparatus, etc.
No /, 800 lbs. explosive chambers; NO.
2 wireless receiver room; No. g. Fuel
room (storage batteries, etc); No. a,
Control room; No. >. engine room; No.
6, Steering room. The torpedo is twin
screw and may attain actual working
speed of 80 to 80 miles per hour suffl-
cient to overtake any class or kind
of ship afoat. The speed may be
every facility in this torpedo is UP to
the builders. Ericsson has done the
rest He has spent considerable money
in the experiments of the improve
ments of his first system, but he hopes
to get his money back at least from
some source. His latest Improvement
was an interference prevention. where
by no enemy ships radio station can
emit waves at the proper wave length
to deter the torpedo on its course or
destruction. He has two methods or
prevention and both are
unique and certainly would keep the
enemy going trying to divert the mis-
sie from it's course. Ericsson says Il
can sec sweat beads on some enemies
brow now watching the missile coming
towards him and the COM
mander giving sharp and angry orders
to his radio operators to make lot
of dashes, etc, in endeavorment to dl-
vert her from her course"
Some of the apparatus for this radio
torpedo was made to order in certain
machine shops of Portland while Eric
son was there in 1915 on steam yacht
and in charge of the radio station
thereon.
He withholds his financier for GER
tain reasons Smilaf to be found
other such projects, but Eric
son says that this man has been OF
great help to him and though Ericsson
could probably have managed 1t him
self in time it would not have been
ready for the present war. This
torpedo has no better place in this
present war than being submarine
chaser" If steam yacht which had
only a normal speed of say II knots
or so, the submarine may have more.
but If the yacht let's go one OF her
radio torpedoes and steers same for
the submarine at her high speed Of 80
miles per hour the submarine certainly
will be hit as it takes the larger sub
marines two to four minutes to sub
merge and the radio torpedo would
just about get her coming tower and
a submarine minus that is destroyed.
Last winter Ericsson received several
threats on his life regarding further
work on his torpedo, from Germans
and German sympathiZers, but he
hasn't any gray hairs yet.
Construction costs less than other
known types of torpedoes and length
of time to construct one is more than
cut in half Material for same is avail
able anywhere and the parts, with a
good electrical engineer, may be man
ufactured at lowest labor prices. Eric
sons No. cost less than $1,000 and he
built it last winter in four months,
alone But claims four months is a
long time had he worked steady, but
he had other things to attend to. such
as experiments on other systems of
control and radio apparatus. Patents
will be obtained in all the neutral
in the world and at end of
war in the enemies countries as well
to properly protect the invention.