Torpedoes and Iron-clads.
WHILE the European powers were expending millions in the construction of iron-clad war vessels, the Yankees have been quietly inventing destructive machines which render the iron-clads worthless; as will be seen in the descriptions which we find in the New York Tribune, of experiments recently made at Newport. In the “Lay torpedo” the climax of inventive genius seems to have been reached. This weapon out of water presents the appearance of a long cigar, having at the ends a screw propeller and rudder, as the only external means of distinguishing the bow from the stern. She is built of boiler iron, and is about thirty feet long by four feet greatest breadth of beam. In the water the top of her back is barely visible, and in experimenting the only way by which her motions may be followed is by means of tiny flags hoisted at either end. If Mr. Lay were questioned as to what her internal arrangements were, he would, in all probability, tell the inquirer that she could carry 500 pounds of explosive material, that she held an engine for working the propeller and rudder, a number of cases containing carbolic acid gas bottled up under high pressure, to run the engine with, and a reel of electrical wire. Beyond this all must be conjecture, and one could but look with amazement at the working of the little craft. She lay like a swamped boat along side the wharf, held by a single rope, ready to be let go at a moment’s warning. The operator on shore touched a key, and she started off at full speed, unreeling the wire, and laying it down on the bottom as she went, so that it in no way hindered her movements. Making a long turn, she headed for the target, under as perfect control as if a man’s hand were at the tiller, turning to starboard or port, stopping or going ahead, by the touch of a key from the operator at his lookout station ashore. Let any one who doubts man’s control of lightning but see this piece of work, and he will be convinced. There is only a single wire communicating with the boat, and along this go the orders, ahead, stop, starboard or port, and the boat obeys as readily as if a thinking mind were at the helm. Striking her target she exploded a small torpedo fixed to her bow, blowing away the obstruction, and then, unharmed herself, turned about and ran back, stopping obediently alongside the boat which took her in tow and moored her safely, all ready for another trial. This boat is kept under cover at a suitable point, and her fittings may be examined up to the last moment before use. On the approach of the enemy the little craft is launched, and waits quietly until her opponent is within range. Once started on her errand there is no avoiding her. She can strike but a single blow, but the ship has not yet been built that can withstand the shock of explosion of five hundred pounds of dynamite.