To impart a thorough knowledge of the management of such an arm as the sea torpedo is a matter of easy accomplishment by personal explanation; especially so, when the arm is in the water, and practised with under conditions that would obtain in its application to the disabling of, or to the destruction of vessels against which it may be employed. But in the absence of such mode of instruction, the following directions are offered, with a hope that they will prove sufficiently explanatory of an a

A yard across either the main or mizen mast of a torpedo vessel, from ten to fifteen feet above the water-line, is a very convenient method for launching and towing. The leading block on the yard, through which the tow-rope is rove, may be fitted to a traveller on the yard with an inhaul and outhaul, that the distance out from the ship’s side may be regulated as convenient. In a large vessel, the leading block for tow-rope can be fixed to the end of the quarter-boat’s davits. The brakes for comm

(Z) The torpedoes, port and starboard, loaded and ballasted, having been hoisted out of the torpedo-room, are placed on the deck on their own sides, with their heads forward under the leading block, and the number of buoys required for each, placed abaft them, strung together as directed ( p. 17 ); the necessary number of exploding bolts having also been taken from the bolt magazine, are now entered into the torpedoes, and forced down until their safety keys rest on the brasswork, taking care th

The crew having been stationed at their respective posts, the handles having been shipped on the tow-reel, the tow-line is then reeled up until the torpedo will launch clear, and swing out under the leading block on the yard. Hold the torpedo by the handspikes, and take off the handles of the brake. In swinging out, care should be taken that in starting from the deck the fore slings do not foul the fore top lever. The stern of the torpedo can be steadied by keeping a slight strain on the buoy-ro

Should the safety key have been withdrawn, great caution must be used. Drawing 5. Tongs, for going round the upper part of the bolt, to take the place of the safety key, when once clasped and secured round the bolt, render the torpedo safe to handle; this could only be done from a boat. With the safety key in, there is no danger in hooking it inboard again by its own tow-rope, and hoisting up the buoys at the same time with a grapnel....

To substitute the electrical method of firing the torpedo for the mechanical one, all that will be necessary is to unscrew the priming case from the centre hole of the mechanical torpedo, and screw in the electrical arrangement which contains McEvoy’s patent circuit-closer, especially adapted by him to suit this particular torpedo. The electrical arrangement has its own exploding bolt, which differs from the other only below the safety key, which key is fitted and worked in the same manner as th

Fig: 1. Fig: 2. London: E. & F. N. Spon, 48, Charing Cross. Kell Bros. Lithrs. Fig. 1. —An exterior tube, a a ; screw-head, [= a ]; interior tube, b ; intermediate tube, d ; firing bolt, e ; spindle, f ; long brass spiral spring, g ; short spiral spring, h ; socket for spindle, i i ; insulated wire from battery, k k ; insulated terminal, l ; electric fuze, m ; priming space, n n ; charging hole, o ; insulated bridge, p ; metal bridge, u . The electric wire k k passes through the screw-he

In this case the torpedo vessel steers in for the bow or quarter of the vessel attacked, according to the direction of the current, and on the side approached launches the torpedo between the moorings as at A; leaving the tow-rope slack, the torpedo vessel proceeds ahead or astern against the current, and when at a sufficient distance off, the tow-rope is held fast, which will cause the torpedo to diverge into contact with the vessel attacked, as shown by the drawing. Plate 4. Kell Bros. Lith. L

In this case, the torpedo is sufficiently diverged when near to the vessel with a good scope of tow-rope out. After having crossed her bow, proceeding onwards, the tow-rope will be brought obliquely across her cable, and the torpedo will swing into her, as shown in the drawing. It may be here remarked that, in all cases, the depth of explosion can be obtained by the sudden slacking of the tow-rope; and the tow-rope, once under the keel, causes the torpedo to be hauled down near to it before expl

In this case, the torpedo is launched when on the quarter of the vessel attacked, as at A, the tow-rope left slack. After steaming ahead some distance, hold fast the tow-rope, when, by continuing to steam on, the torpedo will diverge into contact with the bottom of the vessel attacked, as shown in the drawing. When skilfully performed , the total destruction of the enemy is certain, since the torpedo is springing from a depth to the surface, and will, in consequence, strike near the keel. The to

In this case, having determined upon the side it is desirable to pass, a torpedo is launched accordingly. When near the vessel, the torpedo is sufficiently diverged, and the torpedo vessel passing onwards ahead, the torpedo is brought under the run or bottom of the vessel attacked, as shown by the drawing. Plate 7. Kell Bros. Lith. London. CASE 4.—ATTACKING A VESSEL AT ANCHOR COMING UP FROM ASTERN AND THEN PASSING ON EITHER SIDE....

In this case, it would be impossible to fire at the torpedo vessel for fear of injury to their friends. Two or more torpedo vessels following each other with preconcerted signals would cause great destruction. Plate 8. Kell Bros. Lith. London. CASE 5.—PASSING BETWEEN TWO VESSELS AT ANCHOR....

In this case, two torpedoes are launched, port and starboard, each diverging to its full extent; when passing the vessel attacked, one or the other of the tow-ropes is brought across the cut-water, and by the simultaneous motion of the two vessels in opposite directions, the torpedo is brought alongside of or under the bottom of the vessel attacked, as shown by the drawing. The torpedo vessel should keep the masts of her enemy in one until close to, when either torpedo will be used, according to

In this case, two torpedoes are launched and diverged, as in Case 6; and in this case it is assumed that the torpedo vessel can outspeed the vessel attacked, which will enable her to bring a torpedo under the run of the vessel attacked, as shown by the drawing. Plate 10. Kell Bros. Lith. London. CASE 7.—ATTACKING A VESSEL IN MOTION COMING UP FROM ASTERN....

In this case, veer a torpedo astern, having first obtained a position a little on the bow of the chasing vessel. When it is known, by the length of the tow-rope out, that the torpedo is about abreast of her bow, hold fast the tow-rope, which will cause the torpedo to diverge, and be brought into contact, as shown in the drawing. As a last resort, drop spanned torpedoes. Plate 11 Kell Bros. Lith. London. CASE 8.—CHASED BY A HOSTILE VESSEL....

In this case, the torpedo being diverged when near, will, after crossing the bow, be dragged into contact, as shown by the drawing. Torpedoes can be used with a stern-board, if necessary. The port torpedo, in this case, will be launched on the starboard side, and the starboard on the port side. Plate 12 Kell Bros. Lith. London. CASE 9.—ATTACKING A VESSEL IN MOTION BY CROSSING THE BOW. In conclusion, it should be stated that a dark night and tempestuous weather are in favour of the attacking torp

Vessels adapted to the service of the sea torpedo should be about 400 tons burthen; her extreme length, over all, from taffrail to figure-head, about 150 feet. The form of body to be such as to attain the greatest practicable speed. Speed being the essential condition of a torpedo vessel, a perfectly flush upper or weather deck, without any bulwarks, is advisable; instead of bulwarks, life-lines, supported by stanchions, supply their place to prevent accidents of falling overboard. Thus fitted,