IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMARINE TORPEDOES AND IN APPLIANCES FOR THESE AND OTHER TORPEDOES AND FOR GIVING SECURITY PROJECTING TO THE PERSONS TORPEDOES." ENGAGED IN LAYING DOWN OR REMOVING SUBMARINE PROVISIONAL SPFICATION
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Nelson Hutobinson General in Her Majesty's
Army of Wellesbourne near Bideford, in the County of Devon, for an invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMARINE TORPEDOES AND IN APPLIANCES FOR
THESE AND OTHER TORPEDOES AND FOR GIVING SECURITY
PROJECTING
TO THE PERSONS
TORPEDOES."
ENGAGED IN LAYING DOWN OR REMOVING SUBMARINE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Nelson Hutchinson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th April 1882.
WILLIAM NELSON HUTCHINSON, General in Her Majesty's Army of Wellesbourne
near Bideford in the County of Devon IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMARINE TORPEDOES
AND IN APPLIANCES FOR PROJECTING THESE AND OTHER TORPEDOES, AND FOR
GIVING SECURITY TO THE PERSONS ENGAGED IN LAYING DOWN OR REMOVING
SUBMARINE TORPEDOES.
My principal improvement upon submarine torpedoes described in my Patent
No. 1866 A.D. 1881. 30 Ap³: consists in giving greater sensitiveness to the touch
of any vessel coming in contact with it by adding to the length of the upper, the
cylindrical part of the head of the air chamber formed of thin metal and in con-
tracting the said metal part near its junction with the lower part of the air chamber
usually formed of a more solid material.
Further instead of the safety pin being withdrawn by a cord after the torpedo
is laid down as described in the aforesaid Patent. I now propose that the removal
of the pin be effected by an electric current destroying the chemically prepared
twine that restrains a spring from withdrawing the pin from the safe position and
that by much similar means the pin be replaced in the safe position prior to
removing the torpedo. All danger is prevented should the torpedo drift from its
mooring, by the interposition of another pin between the hammer and the copper
[Price 8d1

page_text: cap or other igniting means. By releasing a cork (or some buoyant substance)
attached by a thin cord to the drifting torpedo its locality is shown.
My improvement in the projected torpedo or arrow described in the aforesaid
patent consists in simplyfying the means by which rotation is given to the spiked
wheel in front of the arrow. In the said Patent the wheel is made to rotate by
bands working on drums, whereas, dispensing with these, I now propose driving it
by having the cogged head of the main shaft in direct contact with a cogged portion
of the wheel near its periphery. I also give greater buoyancy to the arrow when
it alights on the water by increasing the diameter of the part beyond the muzzle of
the gun from which it is projected and in lieu of the one flat keel. I now prefer
that a pair of keels (strips of sections of cylinders) should spring from the sides of
the arrow just before it reaches the water.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Nelson Hutchinson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 6th October 1882.
WILLIAM NELSON HUTCHINSON of Wellesbourne near Bideford in the County
of Devon General in Her Majesty's Army IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMARINE TORPEDOES
AND IN APPLIANCES FOR PROJECTING THESE AND OTHER TORPEDOES AND FOR
GIVING SECURITY TO THE PERSONS ENGAGED IN LAYING DOWN OR REMOVING
SUBMARINE TORPEDOES.
In the Specification of my Patent for Torpedoes No. 1866 A.D. 1881 I find that
I did not make the head of the submarine Torpedo sufficiently flexible to readily
yield to the touch of a passing vessel that the method for withdrawing the safety-
pin after the Torpedo was moored did not give good security to the persons
employed in the service that I had not shewn how a drifting torpedo could be made
innoxious how it could be found after it had drifted-nor was rotation given in a
simple manner to the spiked wheel in front of the long cylindrical torpedo-nor
had the forepart sufficient buoyancy-I therefore wish to supersede that Patent by
the present.
The greatly increased range given in late years to artillery-a range still
increasing has proportionately augmented the difficulty of defending harbours
and arsenals. Their great area presents such a large target that they could be set
on fire by a bombarding enemy three or four miles off, while from the defending
land batteries such small moving objects as the attack ships would seldom be
struck. The necessity therefore for a submarine defence by torpedoes moored so
far from the shore that a hostile vessel could not approach within shelling range
becomes manifest. It is also manifest that distant submarine torpedoes should be
exploded by contact (be self acting), as however carefully observations might be
taken the chances would be immense against a torpedo, whether buoyant or ground,
being ignited by the electrical battery on land at the precise moment an enemy
was sailing over the mine-ever an expensive system of defence if carred out
extensively.
The great objection to self acting torpedoes is the danger that is more or less
encountered by the men engaged in mooring or removing them. There is also in
stormy weather the danger of torpedoes getting adrift. When lost they are difficult
to discover and when found dangerous to handle. It is believed that all risk in
laying down and removing torpedoes might be avoided by employing electricity
not (as is usual) to explode the mines, but in the manner which will be explained
to destroy ligatures that prevent the torpedoes becoming explosive on their alightest
contact with a passing vessel and subsequently to destroy ligatures that prevent
their being made perfectly safe to friendly hands. Further, that by simple
mechanical arrangements drifting torpedoes could be rendered harmless, and easily
recoverable; and the cutting of their moorings to explode them when necessary_be
made free from danger to defenders though a hazardous service to an enemy. The
means for effecting these results are so simple that they must be inexpensive and of
a durable character.
It has frequently occurred that ships have scraped against submarine torpedoes
without exploding them owing to the igniting arrangement for pressing against
the trigger (or other apparatus) that should ignite the fulminate connected with the
mine not being sufficiently sensitive to a touch; but by the hereinafter described
arrangement the whole of the case holding the igniting apparatus is made so
yielding to the slightest external pressure that explosion of the torpedo would

page_text: result from its coming in contact with any ship's bottom, however slowly she
might be drifting.
Figure 7. shews a vertical section of a self-acting submerged anchored torpedo,
constructed according to my invention. In this disposition the upper part (E) of
the air chamber is the case holding the igniting apparatus. It is formed of thin
metal but of sufficient substance to successfully resist any compression from water
at the greatest depth to which it would ever be sunk. Its form is particularly well
adapted to resist such pressure being a long cylinder with a dome-shaped top.
Near its junction with the lower inflexible part (F) of the air chamber it is
narrowed into a thin neck (G). A slight elasticity could be given to the metal
at that part, but were there no elasticity that part could be so narrowed, and
such length given to the Cylinder, that it could not be held perpendicularly from
below without a great vibration, nay without a positive ahaking of the upper part.
The metal tube (H) holding the priming fulminate leads into the mine (2) what-
ever may be the depth of the air chamber. Where fixed to the case holding the
mine it would be embedded in india-rubber or other suitable elastic material, in
order, however much the torpedo might be knocked about, even should it fall that
the igniting arrangement should yield to the shock without in anyway getting
deranged; but the tube must never be cushioned so softly as to throw too much
duty upon the springs a a (hereafter described) and allow in carriage an arm of
the trigger or trigger-striker to come in contact with the interior annular flange c. c.
attached to the flexible head. This flange made of any suitable thin metal.
The trigger (J) and trigger striker (K) have each a pair of flat wide-spreading
arms (J. and K¹.), so diverging from each other that no part of the cylinder could
be pushed aside without the flange (c) coming into contact with the said trigger or
trigger striker thereby starting the hammer. The trigger-striker is pivoted on
two supports springing from both sides of the tube clear of the hammer (L). The
extremities of the short arms of the trigger striker come slightly in contact with
projections on the trigger.
The cylinder is never subjected to the chance of any pressure that could destroy
its true parallelism with the tube until it is sunk in position, when the stiff pro-
tecting case that habitually covers the cylinder is removed.
If the cylinder be diminished in length equal leverage to ensure sensitiveness to
pressure could be given by attaching an open cylindrical wire frame (M) as shewn
in fig. 8 to the top of the cylinder, or by fixing on it a ring (R) fig: 9 of not less
diameter than the cylinder, sustained by cross supports as shewn in the said Big: 9.
Projecting spikes (N) would serve to make it yet more impossible that the slightest
touch from any passing vessel would not explode the mine however much a strong
current might deflect it from the perpendicular. Instead of the upper part being
removeable at n. n. the whole would be removeable at its junction with the
inflexible part (F) of the air chamber. It would be fixed by a water tight arrange-
ment in an annular cushion of some elastic substance, in order that it might slightly
yield when a vessel struck any of the projecting rods (N.) Fig: 8 and 9.
The safety pin (P) figure 7) when pushed into the groove in front of the hammer
arrests its action in its attempt to strike the copper cap or other fulminate.
Figures 10, 11, 12 are intended to explain the working of the safety pin. For
the sake of easy illustration the figures represent sections through the long axis of
the pin taken in the vertical plane y, &, (figure 7) and in a parallel plane through
the axis of the tube.
In figures 10 and 12. the pin lies in the position securing safety.
It travels freely in the tube p which is a fixture to the tube conveying the
priming charge to the mine. A is a spring fixed at its lower extremity to the said
tube. There is a slot in its flat upper end to receive freely an eye on the pin.
The spring always presses inwards against the pin to force it into the position for
safety in front of the hammer. The pin is held fast in that position as shewn in
figure 10 by the thin cord c, which fastens it to the firm arm F attached to the
tube. This cord is made capable of rapid destruction by electricity through

page_text: having been immersed in strong nitric acid (subsequently well washed in water)
and having threads of gun cotton interwoven with it, or by other means rendere t
inflammable.
B is a spring pressing outwards more powerfully than A presses inwards. It
also at its lower end is a fixture to the tube. It is attached to the eye of the pin
by a piece d. of similarly prepared thin cord and is constantly striving to with-
draw the pin from its protecting position, and would do so were it not for the
cord, c.
To each piece of cord is assigned a pair of electrical wires (a positive and a
negative) which pierce it transversely by a thin platinum bridge connecting the
wires. Both pair of wires are held similarly in position in the following manner.
A hand close to the cord of an insulating arm attached to the tube (or fixed arm F)
retains one say the positive, electrical wire in position. A hand, which is at a
distance from the Cord of another insulating arm holds the negative electrical wire
with the required firmness at some distance from the cord.
The platinum bridge belonging to the pair of wires assigned to the cord c is only
a permanent fixture to one of the wires. The other end of the platinum bridge
merely enters a hole or slit made in the longitudinal axis of the other wire, say the
negative, at its extremity, or is otherwise temporarily attached to it.
For the sake of easy transport the wires are short. They protrude for only a
few inches outside the case near y, y, figure 7. The pair of wires assigned to the
cord d would pass through water tight stuffing boxes or other water tight con-
trivance. To allow easy play for jolts and vibrations the wires have superfluous
length (in a curved form) between the points where, as just mentioned they are
fixed.
On the torpedo being laid down, the ends which project beyond the case at y, y,
are connected with the positive and negative wires of a battery on shore or
elsewhere at a safe distance. To keep these wires from swaying about in alterations
of tide the parts not lying on the ground are held at intervals by loops close to the
side of the mooring cable.
When the crew engaged in the operation have retired the cord c is destroyed by
electricity. Then the strong string B mastering the weaker spring A quietly
draws the safety pin out of its protecting position until the projecting stop 8
on the top of the pin abute against the end of the tube p as shown in the
figure 11.
As the upper part of the wire held by the arm furthest from the cord (which
was called the negative wire) is attached by a string to A, on A being
dragged back by B it drags away the upper part of the wire The electrical
current being thus broken the manipulators at the battery know that the safety
pin is removed from its protecting position and that any vessel touching the bighly
sensitive Cylinder would be destroyed.
On its being required to examine or remove the torpedo the cord d is fused
whereupon B springs back and losing all connection with the safety pin, allows A
to push it into its protecting position as shown in figure 12.
The wire O fig 12 belonging to cord d. figs. 10 and 11. (called negative) which
is grasped by the arm furthest from d. is near its upper end tied to B by a
string of such length that the top of the wire is not pulled aside when B merely
drags the pin from its safety position, but the wire O is pulled aside when B
springs further back as shewn in figure 12 on the cord d being fused. Only a
portion of this wire is shewn in the diagram. h is the string that drew it aside.
The cessation of the electrical current shews that A has been set at liberty and
must have pushed the pin in front of the hammer (as in figure 12) therefore that
the torpedo can be taken up without risk. If all went right on c being destroyed
and P thus withdrawn from the position ensuring safety the communication by the
electric current would be lost as one of the wires would have been withdrawn as
explained But if the manipulators found that the electric communication was
still maintained they would know that something was wrong that owing to

page_text: shaking or other cause the hammer had been prematurely sprung and was locked
in a groove that had been cut out of the pin, therefore that the pin continued in
position although c was destroyed.
The torpedo would then be examined, and all could be expeditiously put in
proper order by adjusted lengths of the prepared cord being hooked on to the eyes
to replace c and d; also e figure 7, not yet described.
Thus the ability or inability to pass an electric current would always tell those
managing the battery the position of the safety pin and whether the mine would
or would not explode on its sensitive head being touched,
After the pair of battery wires connected with the cord c, have done the only
duty required of them by destroying it, they would be removed. They would
have respectively grasped o's two wires where they protrude beyond y and y
figure 7, by a spring or screw of sufficient pressure to retain a firm hold, yet not
of such a pressure as to withstand a strong pull from the men at the battery. If
preferred, instead of the electrical wires belonging to c being removable they
might lie in the gutta percha or india rubber covering that protects d's wires.
The pair of battery wires (not shown) connected with d's wires would always
continue attached to them as they (the battery wires) would be required to prevent
any mischief from a torpedo breaking adrift in bad weather, and to subsequently
regain it. A bolt P¹ (figures 7 and 13) would be ever ready to spring under the
hammer and prevent its striking the detonating cap, or other fulminate, were the
action of the driving spiral spring not restrained by a pin or other stop not shewn
in front of it, or in front of the bolt.
This pin is attached by a string to one of d's wires about half way between
d and y Fig: 7. Below that half way spot a stop is fixed on the wire. When the
torpedo drifts the pair of battery wires firmly fastened on shore (or to a buoy as
hereafter explained) would force d's wires through the insulating arms that had
grasped them and drag them (the wires) out of the air chamber as far as the stop
would allow, and thus drag away the pin that had prevented the spiral spring from
driving the bolt below the hammer. They would not be entirely dragged out lest
water should flow in.
To recover a drifting torpedo a suitable float with coils of thin good twine under
it would be placed in a pocket fixed in a hollow near y-in a hollow that the
balance from buoyancy may not be lost. A thin bolt above the float would
prevent its rising. The bolt would be tied to the end of one of d's wires where it
protrudes at y. On d's wires being dragged partially out of the air Chamber the
bolt would be drawn away when the float would rise to the surface.
The sight
of the float would be an assurance of safety for the pull that released it must have
simultaneously released the spiral spring pressing against P.
A small part of d'e pair of battery wires would be made weaker than the other
parts, in order that the breakage on the torpedo drifting should be at a designed
place just above the spot where the string from the float-pocket is fastened.
Where the extra expense and weight of a small battery placed within the torpedo
case not objected to electricity might be employed in which case d's wire and the
cable's wire B Fig: 7. (hereafter described) would be fixtures instead of travelling
within, in the troublesome watertight arrangement.
Instead of entering the
torpedo case they would run into a box fixed on its outside.
As regards d's wire. In lieu of the short pin that hinders the bolt P' from
being pushed under the hammer, the bolt would be kept back by a Cord chemically
prepared as before described, and be penetrated by the thin platinum bridge
which unites a pair of the wires of the said battery-They would be retained apart
in the box outside the case by a string From a bill-hook shaped blade arranged
near the string a cord would run to d's, wire and be attached to it below the spot
where the float-string is fastened. On the torpedo's drifting, the drag on d's wire
should make the blade cut the string that prevented the junction of the wires.
The electrical current would then be established, and the release of the bolt P'. be
effected. If preferred, instead of using a sharp blade to cut a string, the drag on

page_text: d's wire could be made to pull away a block that prevented the electrical wires
from springing together.
As regards the cable wire (B). In lieu of the compressed spiral spring Va
spiral spring acting by contraction would be fixed vertically outside the torpedo
case. The top would be fastened to the bottom of the case-The lower part (well
stretched downwards) would be attached to the cable wire about a foot or two
below its upper end On this wire being any where cut through the spring would
force it upwards when its end (within the box) would push aside an impediment
that prevented the connection of another pair of wires belonging to the aforesaid
battery-Such connection would complete a circuit which would destroy a cord
(pierced by a thin platinum bridge in the manner before explained) that restrained
a spring from striking a trigger or other apparatus for igniting the mine.
The mooring of these contact fired mines would be simple expeditious work.
They could always be removed with but little regard to weather, and with none
to the height of tides.
The described method of destroying whatever prevented the action of the
apparatus for exploding the charge and for replacing all in a position ensuring
safety, could be applied to every kind of submerged torpedo by the interposition
or withdrawal (through electricity) of a substance between the striking agent and
the fulminate leading to the mine-If, as is usual, the whole of the air chamber be
inflexible, attachments could be made to the sides instead of the represented tube
but were it wished, to almost all forms the sensitive cylindrical air-chamber could
be fixed.
The plan for making anchored buoyant, submarine mines inexplosive when
drifting and subsequently discoverable by a float could with but little alteration
be successfully applied to most of those now manufactured. To the described
arrangement within the torpedo case and to the float arrangement outside it, a
rope (with a grapnel) could be attached a little longer than the mooring cable.
On the torpedo drifting it is evident that the short pin which arrests P¹ (fig. 13)
would be withdrawn, and the bolt that holds the float. Should through any
mischance, a drag on the Wire have released P¹ the accident would be soon known
by the float being simultaneously freed.
Besides Harbours it would seem as if the mouths of wide rivers, &c could be
effectually protected by groups of self acting mechanical mines. A really good,
safe system of hidden defence would on the score of its moral effect and physical
efficiency, yet more than its great economy much supersede visible defences.
By the proposed simple means were the torpedoes, whatever their different forms
and number, placed in electrical communication by a single wire, one cable from
the battery on shore would make all simultaneously explosive and subsequently
non-explosive: The wires in the cable would not spread apart to effect the circuit
until close to the group. Should the shore be distant the wires might be attached
to a neighbouring floating or partially sunk buoy (whose bearings would be known)
to be acted on when necessary by an electrical battery carried in a boat,
Should any one of a group break adrift, the strain on the wires that had placed
it in electrical connection with its right and left hand neighbour would before they
(the wires) parted have liberated their safety pins P' as well as its own and have
also liberated their respective floats. Thus the vacated position it had occupied in.
the line would be apparent, even could it not be ascertained by the distinguishing
number painted on it.
If from any accidental pull on its electric wire the pin P¹ of any torpedo should
have been prematurely driven under its hammer the mischief would become known
by the appearance of its float on the surface.
As the greatest pains would have been taken to render all parts as little
susceptible as possible to the evil resulting from damp, especially where the upper-
most part of the air chamber (near nn Fig: 7) is removable some parts being
made of nickle-it is easy to conceive that groups of torpedoes could be laid down
with their several pins P in the position for securing safety, and after not being.

page_text: examined for weeks yet be ready in an instant to be rendered dangerous on the
appearance of an enemy's ship.
When laying down or making alterations in groups of torpedoes it must some-
times happen from accidental causes possibly from the circuit of electricity being
interrupted or from the hitch in the action of a pin (P or P") that there would
be great danger in handling one of them, and that safety could only be ensured to
the persons employed in substituting another in its place by exploding the
defaulter.
The following arrangements are designed to enable a friendly operator without
the slightest risk to explode any torpedo whose interior mechanism had become so
deranged that it could not be rendered inexplosive.
Assuming the mooring cable to be made of the pliable steel wire rope now much
used; let a copper or other wire (B, Fig: 7). be attached to it close to the grapnel.
Let it be in a vulcanized india-rubber wired tube lashed alongside the cable. Let
the upper end of the copper wire (none of the tube) enter the torpedo case through
a watertight arrangement and run upwards through brackets alongside the tube H.
Let the top t of the wire be so curved that did it rise higher it would strike the
trigger J¹ and thereby ignite the charge-but it should be of such a length that it
could not rise higher owing to its lower end being a fixture to the cable. Let V be
a spiral spring soldered at its bottom to the tube H or to the bottom of the air-
chamber and kept closely coiled by being fastened at the top to the wire B lying
within it. If the men employed in removing the faulty torpedo could not lie so
far off as to be able to cut the wire without risk they would attach such a suitable
clockwork implement to the mooring cable that when they had retired to a safe
distance it would liberate a strong spring to act upon a sharp blade which would
cut through the tubing and thin wire. The spiral spring V would then spring
upwards carrying t with it, whereby the mine would be exploded.
To retain t in one plane, the part of the wire B that is within the torpedo case,
of greater substance than the rest would be squared and travel in correspondingly
square sided brackets. Should the mooring cable be of unusual length in order to
give the wire great latitude for expansion and contraction while conforming to
curves or twists in the cable, the wire would be made into two or three lengths to
be united by intervening spiral-springs of greater strength than the spring V in
the torpedo case. This is a better arrangement than to give any freedom of action
to the spiral-spring V as the travelling of the wire up and down would increase
the difficulty of keeping all watertight. The intervening springs would not
however, be required were the steel wire-rope manufactured specially for the cable
as the thin wire might lie greatly concealed in a groove made in the cable or lie
nearly wholly concealed in a coil running through its centre.
It is obvious that this wire while protecting friendly hands from being ever
injured by their own torpedoes becomes a most efficient means of defence as
assailants cutting such a double cable would themselves be destroyed. With but a
trifling alteration in minute details this plan could be applied to any form of
buoyant submarine torpedo, and the wire could be made the means of rendering
the torpedo inexplosive on drifting and afterwards discoverable, by adopting the
arrangements which have been explained. From just below the spring V a wire
or cord would run to the short pin that prevents the bolt (P. fig. 13) from being
pushed under the hammer. Some feet above the place where the lower end of the
wire (B) is attached to the mooring cable, a cord would be fastened to the Wire.
The other end of the cord would be lashed to a grapnel. On the torpedo breaking
adrift, the wire would contract the spiral-spring V yet more closely, when the
short pin would be drawn away, as well as the bolt that held the float the bolt
having been attached outside the case, to the wire by a string. That the fracture
should be near the moorings the wire would be thinner there than elsewhere,
The breakage would of course lead to the uppermost part t striking the trigger,
but harmlessly, as the wire before it broke, would have drawn out the pin that held
the bolt P¹

page_text: It will be seen that under every contingency connected with submarine defence
inexperienced hands need fear no risk in laying down recovering, or removing
torpedoes, and manifestly it is the cheapest system of protection ever devised-
curiously cheap when contrasted with the expense of the fortifications artillery,
projectiles, and gunners that would otherwise be necessary to place valuable
property in an equally secure position.
Figure 7 shews an arrangement which would prevent the upper cylindrical air-
chamber when struck by a friendly vessel from starting the hammer or being
injured by the constant blows it would receive from passing friendly vessels.
a a, are two of four steel arms with crescent shaped heads lying horizontally, (not
all in the same plane) which press outwards from the tube and entirely prevent the
play of the air chamber, or, if preferred, allow a little play to diminish jar. They
would press against its sides were they not grasped by the circular spring-ring r.
They thus perform the same part as a safety pin.
This ring has a strong tendency to contract its circular form, and is only
prevented from doing so by the cord e restraining the extremities of the ring from
further over-lapping. The cord is rendered susceptible of ready ignition as before
explained.
It is transversely pierced by the same electrical wire which pierces o and in the
same manner, viz.: by a bridge of fine platinum wire. Thus when the cord o is
destroyed the cord e is also destroyed, whereupon the circular spring by squeezing
the arm a, a, closer together, forces their crescent heads nearer to the tube, thereby
allowing free play to the banding of the cylinder. Any slight pressure on it would
then bring it in contact with an arm of the trigger or trigger striker and cause
explosion.
À thin cord m from each head to the tube-all cords of the same length-prevent
any heads from ever getting too far from the tube, and forcing the Cylinder out of
ita proper position.
I
The simple cylindrical form given to the upper air chamber preserves it from
injury however much it may be knocked about by friendly shipping. There are no
lead tubes or projections of any sort to get bent or displaced. Thus it seems evident
that by the described method of defending Arsenals, Towns &c. from bombardment,
the operations of commerce need not be interfered with until the very instant that
a hostile ship appears in sight.
Hermetically closed submarine torpedo-boats are already built and improvements
in their propulsion by electrical power are contemplated, in which four topedoists
can remain quite submerged for 24 hours, and travel above three miles an hour in
search of victims on whose bottom to attach explosive mines by pneumatic suction.
The darkness of great depths is overcome by electric light. They would also be
employed to cut the cables of submarine torpedoes protecting harbours &c
Such submarine attack might be met by having additional mines, according to
the depth of water attached to each mooring cable of the group. They would be
fixed in the line of their vertical axes one below the other. The portions of the
cable intervening between any two mines would have the thin wire (with protecting
tube) before named, but the lower end of the wire instead of being attached to the
eable would enter the top of the lower torpedo, and with a spiral spring have an
arrangement on the principal which has been explained, for igniting the charge when
the wire is cut.
Double reverse action screws on the principal of those used to connect railway
carriages would adjust the length of the thin wire to the required strain on the
spiral-spring screws-bat minute details as to the fixing and removal of the wires
are so apparent that they need not here be named.
The intervals between the mines would be, say from 30 to 40 feet. On any part
of the cable being cut through, two of the mines, if all was right would to a certainty
explode.
Small light contact fired mines would suffice, as they would be designed not to
act against ships but against boats submerged at a depth where they would be

page_text: subjected to such pressure that they would be destroyed by a concussion that would
not injure them were they on the surface.
Their safety pins P would be acted on by the same Electrical wire, and in the
same way that it would operate on the pins of the uppermost torpedo.
So many mines may be thought too expensive but disastrous consequences might
result from neglecting such complete defence were there a chance of an attack from
submarine boats.
Numerous dummies accurate representations of the originals would be intermixed
with the group to bewilder an attacking enemy.
The whole of the proposed arrangements are founded on simple mechanical
principles and if the plan be carried out it seems no wild dream to fancy that
wherever the water is not too deep for mooring torpedoes, bombardment from
ships could be effectually prevented, and at little cost. Such defences manufactured
in time of peace would suffer no deterioration when stowed away until required
in war.
The principal difficulty, but that is one which applies to every sunken torpedo,
indeed to every submarine mechanical contrivance would be to keep all water-tight
at great depths but such increasing skill is daily manifested in giving delicate
finishing touches to elaborate machinery that it is reasonable to think this difficulty
will ere long be overcome by ingenuity and perseverance.
Well contrived com-
pression on an india rubber band encircling the close fitting screwed junction n. n.
figure 7, in which the last turns would press against an india rubber washer, might
prove effective The stuffing box through which an electric wire passes into the
torpedo case could be enclosed in an india rubber funnel shaped bag, of a length
that would be superfluous until the wire was dragged out the designed few inches.
The smaller end of the bag would be made to grasp the wire-the larger end the
box-in an hermetically close embrace.
The protection of valuables on land from hostile ships is scarcely more important
than security from cruisers of the food supplies constantly crossing the seas on
which this Country much depends and of the vast wealth carried by her traders.
It would be an incalculable gain if projected torpedoes could be made at little cost
which would require so little skill in use, that they could be employed by our
mercantile marine in self defence.
It appears probable that the torpedo which will now be described would not
only give such protection but would enable our men-of-war to master the defences
likely to be adopted by an enemy's iron-clad, and be far less expensive than fish
torpedoes.
It is generally supposed that a ship would be efficiently protected from a
Whitehead Torpedo if she were encircled at 30 feet distance with a wire net 10 feet
deep, as it would be made of such strength that the torpedo could not penetrate
through it. It is thought that the long cylindrical projectile which will be
explained would, instead of being arrested by the net, glide under it, and only be
stopped by the enemy's keel when the mine in its head would be fired by a time
fuse.
Fig. 1 shews the mine placed in the head of a cylindrical torpedo, say, from 20
to 30 feet long. The rear part is of a somewhat less diameter than the bore of
the gun from which it is driven greater diameter being given to the part which
projects beyond the muzzle. Near the rear it might be made of buoyant wood,
the middle and foreparts of thin metal tubes, or the whole might be formed of
metal tubes,
Although it is projected with a succession of small charges of powder (on the
American acclerating principle) yet, to prevent a concussion that might possibly
derange the driving apparatus, or the arrangement for igniting the charge, the
torpedo is formed of elastic materials at its extreme rear part. That mischief
could be thus prevented is evident from the fact that many a youngster in muzzle
loading days has shot off his ramrod, without its being injured.
W is a thick gas tight wad. a b c d e and f. are elastic discs of suitable material

page_text: such as vulcanized india rubber, to act as buffers, separated from each other by
discs of thin tin or other suitable material.
R is a cylindrical rod on which the buffers are strung. It carries a long piston M
on its front end, which fits air tight in the cylindrical recess in the wood or tube,
and acts as a buffer by compressing the air in its front.
Infinitesimal periods of time being thought of, it is apparent that the blow
received by the wad would be communicated in succession to the several elastic
buffers, which successively yielding to the pressure, would much soften the effects
of the blow delivered to the inelastic portion of the torpedo.
All parts of the torpedo would leave the muzzle with the same volocity. During
flight the several compressed parts would re-expand.
L, shews where the narrow strip of waterproofed linen is folded up which
attached to the heel of the torpedo acts as a tail, increasing its steadiness in flight
and making it unnecessary to give much weight to the head to insure steadiness.
Acting as a rudder it prevents a change of direction in the water. In cases
where the barrel is rifled a loose disc of tin would be interposed between the
wad and piece of linen to prevent its getting deranged from the wad following
the grooves.
PP are some of many propellers which revolve in open spaces left for the
admission of the water required for the blades to act against as a fulcrum. The
torpedo travels horizontally on the water, and so much of it floats above the
surface that great driving power is not required.
tt are flat bars radiating towards the centre to give free passage to the water,
but they conform to the circular outline of the torpedo near the blades of the
propellers to allow space for their work.
c. a. is one ofra pair of long sections of cylinders of thin metal lying close to the
sides of the torpedo while it is flying through the air. They are hinged together
in their length, and are attached near their hinges to the bottom of the projectile
in a plane parallel to and a little on one side of the plane in which the spiked
wheel. (5) revolves, in order that when the strips spring outward and lock apart
to become keels they may prevent the projectile having a cant to one side from all
the propellers rotating in the same direction.
5. is the spiked wheel lying vertically in a plane of the axis of the torpedo. It
is more than an inch thick, its diameter being nearly that of the forepart of the
torpedo. It has two soft india rubber tires about 3 quarters of an inch thick the
outer one BO pierced with a number of flat headed nails that their points
protruding in one or two vertical planes beyond the outer tire, would form a rough
face which (from the wheel revolving in the direction of the arrow marked X) on
coming in contact with a defensive net would deflect the head under it until the
propellers forced it in contact with the ship below her armour; when the soft
tires from their elasticity would press against the side with a flat rasping surface,
and make it creep under her bottom. By this time the time-fuse would be
consumed and explosion would follow. A little delay in the action of the fuse or
in the head gliding under the net sooner than was expected would be of no
consequence, as the driving force would keep it constantly below the armour, and
the vertical keel of the ship would prevent it getting beyond her bottom. The
head though easily depressed yet springs so readily to the normal position, that by
a well regulated proportion between the buoyancy of the body of the torpedo and
the weight of the head a sensitiveness to depression could be given that would
make the head glide under a net that would afford good protection from the best
fish torpedo.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of the case holding the mine taken in the vertical
plane A B figure 1. It conforms to the irregular shape given to the fore part of
the torpedo. In its front there is a recess to receive the spiked wheel the recess
being of such a depth that only such spikes would project beyond it as would be
likely to meet the net as shewn in figure 1. The case g rests on the narrow

page_text: platform / shown in figure 1. and is fixed on it by spring clasps just before the gun
is fired.
Figures 3 and 4 are designed to shew the action of the cogged coned head j of
the main shaft in driving the spiked wheel 5 Figure 40 is a larger view of the
cogged head ; of shaft. Figure 5 is a section through the part of the main shaft
round which a wide coiled spring is wound.
The torpedo may be propelled by compressed air similarly to the ordinary fish
torpedo, and were not expense considered it would be the best plan; but the driving
machinery that will now be described can be commended on the score of economy
saving of risk and simplicity. But little skill would be required in its manipulation
and, as it would prove effective though possibly not possessing enough propelling
power to force it under a heavy net, it seems peculiarly suitable to our merchant-
Hostile cruisers would be unwilling to approach a vessel known to possess
such deadly means of resistance.
nien.
As a spring of great strength would be necessary, a coiled spring of great breadth
is used. It could have any power as there is ample space to give it any breadth.
It would be coiled in a barrel such as that shewn in figure 5. turning on the main
shaft. The end of the spring would be attached to hooks z. z. on the central
tubular part v. of the barrel q. the other end of the spring to hooks u. u. on the
tube w.
The barrel would be connected by a ratchet and click to the wheel No. 1.
of nearly the same diameter as the tube. The barrel with its spring would be
wound up by the bevelled wheel 6. (fitted in watertight) acting on a correspondingly
bevelled projecting toothed ring r. attached to the barrel. Except when being
wound up the barrel and wheel would revolve in unison. When the spring is
wound up it is prevented from uncoiling by a loop from the inside of the tube
being passed over a button on the periphery of the barrel (or of No. 1 Wheel)..
This loop is formed of a cord rendered very susceptible of ignition as before
described.
Figure 50 is a detached front view of the arrangement of gearing.
The large wheel No. 1 is attached to a cylinder y on the main shaft l. This
cylinder y revolves at both its ends in cylindrical projections (p p') attached
respectively to the diaphragms D and E fixed to and within the tube. The wheel
is toothed on the inner part of the projection d and thus drives No. 2 wheel
revolving on a Stud B attached to diaphragm E. No. 2 wheel by means of the
pinion A on No. 3 wheel, drives No. 3 wheel It (No. 3 Wheel) revolves on a
Stud A attached to a bar fixed to the said diaphragm E. No. 3 wheel drives the
main shaft by means of the pinion g with great velocity. It would be driven with
much greater velocity if, instead of employing the attached pinion g, that part of
the shaft were made solid, and the requisite cogs cut out of that part, there
diminished in diameter as shewn in figure 6.
The rotation imparted to the main shaft, whether by compressed air or machinery,
drives all that should be set in motion. The solid, coned bevelled end of the shaft
projects in front watertight beyond the body of the torpedo to drive the spiked
wheel No. 5 lying in a vertical plane with its felloes (to which the cogged plate is
attached) a little on one side of the imagined prolonged axis of the main shaft.
Easily made water tight as so required for only a few minutes
f'. figure 1. is the pipe containing the fuse for igniting the mine. The end carrying
the copper cap is shewn passed in through the hole o. The part of the fuse pipe
that remains outside is pushed into the nine when its case is fixed in position.
To the piston M fig. 1 on the buffer-rod, a light metal rod (marked by a dotted
line) is fixed in its prolonged imaginary axis. This rod, on the piston being driven
forward, would pass airtight into the body of the torpedo press on a trigger s.
release a hammer to explode a double way detonating cap, and thus ignite two
time fuses in separate pipes a'. of unequal length attached to the inner surface of
the tube. The shorter fuse would set in motion the strong coiled spring with all
it acted on, by burning the loop rendered capable of rapid ignition lying across it,
that prevented the rotation of No. 1 Wheel. The longer time fuse would burn the

page_text: similarly prepared piece of twine that had restrained a spring from forcing the
cylindrical strips cc to spread open and become keels. The time-fuse would be of
such length that the change would be effected just before the torpedo dropped on
the water. Or, what seems the simplest plan, only one time-fuse might be used to
destroy, first the loop on the button which prevented the spring from acting, and
afterwards the twine that hindered the pair of keels c c from opening out.
To save a mechanical movement the spiked wheel might be allowed to revolve
the instant the main shaft commenced to work, as such early rotation, though
useless, could be productive of no evil.
A metal rod having the crescent shaped head K projecting beyond the spiked
wheel, on striking a defensive net would spring inwards and hitting the long arm
of a spring crank (doing duty as a trigger), seated on india-rubber would let the
short arm explode a copper cap which would ignite the time fuse connected with
the mine as partly shown in figure 1.
Friction within the barrel is diminished by part of the torpedo within it not
resting on the bottom, an arrangement that much facilitates the torpedo leaving it.
A is a crutch with a crescent head that supports the torpedo, B is a chain looped
to a hoop round the muzzle of the gun. The length of the chain is governed by a
sorew in the middle.
D is a strut hooked on to a jointed hoop round the barrel abutting against the
trunnions of the gun. A notch in (or knob on) the torpedo pressing against the
crescent head of the crutch prevents its falling forward prematurely.
A weight at the extreme end of the breech of the gun balances the part of the
torpedo which projects beyond the muzzle.
The large diameter of the forepart of the torpedo makes the head so heavy that
it retains its position steadily while in the air, and when in the water the large
diameter gives such buoyancy to the forepart that the head quickly springs to the
surface should it alight with an inclination downwards.
The plan has the combined advantages of flight in the air with propulsion on
water.
The principle recently applied in America of increasing the velocity of shot
while in the barrel by successive explosions of powder, seems peculiarly fitted for
this torpedo.
As a powerful charge would not be ignited at once any barrel would have
sufficient strength to allow of a succession of holes to be drilled into its side to
each receive the neck of a pocket holding some quick burning powder. y, y, y,
Fig. 1 shew some of the pockets. The torpedo would be quietly started in the
usual manner with a small charge of burning powder. Its velocity would be
gradually accelerated by the successive ignition of the several charges, thus
exerting a constantly increasing pressure upon the wad (W) until the instant it
quits the muzzle of the gun.
For convenience in transport the tubes could be carried in lengths, to be screwed
together when used.
High sights are fixed on the breech and muzzle. As the gun can be fired and
the torpedo be recovered without injury to it, the men could soon be taught to take
aim. The endeavour would be to so project it that it should alight short of the
defensive net be driven horizontally against it and run under it slightly lifting
the lower meshes.
Should a barrel be made for the torpedo it would be more like a tube than an
ordinary gun. No extra thickness would be required at the breach, and as there
would be no rifling it would be light and inexpensive. The trunnions would be
placed so forward that no weight would be required at the breech to balance the
head.
Chemistry is advancing with such rapid strides that ere long a very light yet
frightfully destructive torpedo may be in use. M. Turpin of Paris took out an
English Patent on the 18th of October 1881 for an explosive. Public trials of it
were made at Cherbourg on the 13th and 14th of last August. To test its power

page_text: as compared with Dynamite, in one of two perfectly similar lead cylinders, closed
at their ends when charged, was placed a certain weight of the Turpin mixtures
in the other five times that weight of dynamite. On both being exploded the one
that held the dynamite was much less injured than the other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same may be performed, I wish it to be
understood that what I claim as my invention and desire to secure by the said
Letters Patent is :-
1. The method hereinbefore described of giving the Torpedo when sank unusual
sensitiveness to the touch, by making the upper part of the air chamber (Fig: 7)
a long cylinder so contracted towards the bottom near Gas to readily yield to
external pressure, whereby explosion would follow its slighest contact with any
passing vessel, substantially and in the manner as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawing.
2ndly The means of ensuring the security of the persons employed in laying
down or removing submarine Torpedoes by employing the safety pin arrangement
for preventing the hammer from striking the fulminate in combination with the
arrangement (both arrangements operated by electricity) for withdrawing the said
safety pin and thereby freeing the action of the Hammer on the approach of an
enemy also the arrangement whereby a safety pin is dragged under the hammer
on a torpedo drifting from its moorings, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated in Figures 7. 10. 11. 12 and 13. Also the means of ensuring the
security of the persons employed in laying down or removing submarine Torpedoes
should in any one of them a derangement occur in the mechanical arrangement
for rendering the Torpedo non-explosive by always having a thin wire attached to
every mooring cable which wire on being cut by the said persons would cause the
mine to be exploded, or if necessarily cut near the mine, would be cut by means of
a clockwork instrument so constructed and timed as to allow the men engaged to
retire to a safe distance previous to the explosion taking place, substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in Fig. 7.
3rdly A long cylindrically shaped Torpedo (Fig: 1) projected in the air and
subsequently propelled in water, having its fore part of larger diameter than the
bore of the gun from which it is fired, whereby the Torpedo is rendered very
buoyant, the said Torpedo having at its head a spiked wheel (5) driven by cogs or
teeth in immediate contact with the cogged head ; of the main shaft 7 of the
torpedo, and provided with a pair of keels (which are also applicable for
Use with other than the projected torpedo) the whole arranged and operating
substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before described and
illustrated in Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 4. 5 and 5 of the annexed drawings.
In Witness whereof I, the said William Nelson Hutchinson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of September One thousand eight
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