Torpedoes And Torpedo Warfare - free ebook by Charles William Sleeman

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Torpedoes And Torpedo Warfare

Charles William Sleeman

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PREFACE.

PREFACE.

The information has been obtained while practically engaged in torpedo work at home and abroad, and from the study of the principal books which have already appeared on the subject, and to the authors of which he would now beg to express his acknowledgments, viz.: "Submarine Warfare," by Lieut.-Commander Barnes, U.S.N.; "Notes on Torpedoes," by Major Stotherd, R.E.; "Art of War in Europe," by General Delafield, U.S.A.; "Life of Fulton," by C. D. Colden; "Torpedo War," by R. Fulton; "Armsmear," b

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LIST OF PLATES.

LIST OF PLATES.

So successful was this first attempt, and so tremendous was the effect produced on the spectators, by the explosion of one of these torpedoes, that further investigation of this new mode of Naval warfare was at once instituted. But it was not until some two hundred years after that any real progress was effected, though numerous attempts were made during this period, to destroy vessels by means of sub-marine infernal machines. It was owing to the fact, that the condition which is now considered

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CHAPTER III. DEFENSIVE TORPEDO WARFARE—continued.

CHAPTER III. DEFENSIVE TORPEDO WARFARE—continued.

Submarine Mines during the Crimean and American Wars. —It was during the Crimean war (1854-6) that this description of defensive torpedoes was for the first time employed on actual service. Several of the principal Russian harbours were protected by this form of submarine mine, but owing to the smallness of their charges, and to the want of electrical knowledge on the part of the Russian officers and men in charge of them, none of the ships of the Allies were sunk, or even rendered hors de comba

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CHAPTER V. OFFENSIVE TORPEDO WARFARE.

CHAPTER V. OFFENSIVE TORPEDO WARFARE.

Offensive Torpedo Warfare still in its Infancy. —Though during the seventeen or eighteen years that torpedoes have been considered as a legitimate mode of naval warfare there have occurred three big wars, in each of which submarine weapons, offensive and defensive, have played an important part, still the subject of offensive torpedo warfare must be even now considered as in its infancy, and therefore any opinions expressed as to the merits and demerits of the various apparatus in connection the

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Crimean War (1854-56).

Crimean War (1854-56).

Defence of Sebastopol Harbour, &amp;c. —The Russians employed a large quantity of submarine mines, both electrical and mechanical, principally the latter, in their defence of the harbours of Sebastopol, Sveaborg, and Cronstadt. According to General Delafield, U.S.A., the arrangement of the mechanical mines was entirely new, the conception and idea of an eminent Russian chemist, Professor Jacobi. Electrical Mines. —No mention is made by the General of the employment of electrical mines, but t

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Austro-Italian War (1859).

Austro-Italian War (1859).

Defence of Venice by Von Ebner. —During this brief struggle, defensive torpedo operations were carried out under the direction of Colonel Von Ebner, of the Imperial Austrian Engineers. The harbour of Venice was protected by a most elaborate system of submarine mines, devised by the above-named officer. Though the importance of his system was proved by the fact of no attempt being made on Venice, yet no opportunity was afforded of practically testing its efficiency....

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American Civil War (1861-65).

American Civil War (1861-65).

Cause of the Present Importance of the Torpedo. —The prominent position the torpedo now holds as a most important and legitimate function of naval warfare is owing without doubt to the successful and extensive employment of them on the part of the Confederates during this long and bloody struggle. Reasons which induced the Confederates to employ Torpedoes. —The numerous harbours and navigable rivers in the possession of the Southerners, the few ships of war at their disposal, the overwhelming fl

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Paraguayan War (1864-68).

Paraguayan War (1864-68).

Torpedoes employed by the Paraguayans. —During their protracted struggle with the Brazilians, the Paraguayans employed submarine mines for the protection of their river forts, &amp;c. Loss of the "Rio Janeiro"—Brazilian Fleet entrapped. —On the 2nd of September, 1866, the Brazilian ironclad Rio Janeiro , after being well-battered by the guns of the Curupaity fort, was sunk by a torpedo. Later on, near the same place, a whole fleet of Brazilian war ships were entrapped by the Paraguayans, bet

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Austrian War (1866).

Austrian War (1866).

Venice, Pola, &amp;c., protected by Torpedoes. —During this war, torpedoes for the defence of Venice, Pola, &amp;c., were extensively used by the Austrians, under the direction of Baron von Ebner, but as in '59 no opportunity was afforded of proving their practical worth, though morally they were of great value, the Austrian harbours so defended being considered impregnable by the enemy, and therefore no attempt was made to force them....

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Franco-German War (1870-71).

Franco-German War (1870-71).

Little or nothing in the matter of torpedo operations was attempted by the Germans, and on the part of the French nothing whatever. Germans employed Submarine Mines. —Electrical and mechanical mines were placed in several of the German harbours, the former containing about 200 lbs. of dualine, the latter some 80 lbs. of gunpowder. The only attempt to destroy French ships by means of offensive torpedoes was made by the German vessel the Grille , off Rügen, which resulted in failure. In laying dow

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Russo-Turkish War (1877-78).

Russo-Turkish War (1877-78).

Superiority of Turkey to Russia in the matter of Ships. —On the Danube, in the Black Sea, and Mediterranean, where the principal naval portion of the war was carried out, Turkey was possessed of a fleet of ships infinitely superior to Russia, both in point of numbers and strength, and therefore, to enable her to hold her own against this vast superiority of the Turks, the Russians resorted to an extensive employment of torpedoes, for both offensive and defensive purposes. Russian Torpedoes. —For

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1st Affair.

1st Affair.

The Batoum Attack. —The first torpedo boat attack occurred on the night of the 12th-13th of May at Batoum. [R] On the night of the attack there were lying in the harbour several vessels of the Ottoman fleet, including ironclads, transports, despatch-boats, &amp;c. These vessels were totally unprotected by guard boats, booms, electric lights, &amp;c., and only the usual number of sentries were posted, the Turks at that time not quite believing in such boat attacks, thus offering peculiar

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2nd Affair.

2nd Affair.

The Matchin Attack. —The second attempt was made on the 25th-26th of May on two Turkish monitors, the Fettu Islam and the Duba Saife , and a small river steamer, the Kilidj Ali , lying at anchor off Matchin. [S] Four Russian torpedo boats were sent to the attack, viz. the Czarowitch , Lieutenant Doubasoff; the Xénie , Lieutenant Chestakoff; the Djiquite , Midshipman Persine; and the Czarevna , Midshipman Bali. The total number of officers and men carried by these boats on this occasion was forty

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3rd Affair.

3rd Affair.

The Soulina Attack. —The third attempt took place on the 9th-10th of June, 1877, on a Turkish squadron lying at anchor off Soulina. [T] This squadron consisted of the three ironclads Feteh Bulend , Moocardemikhair , and Idglalieh , and a tug, Kartal . The Russian attacking force consisted of six torpedo boats, viz. the No. 1, Lieutenant Poutschin; the No. 2, Lieutenant Rojdestvenski; the Tchesme , Lieutenant Zatzarennyi; the Sinope , the Navarino , and the Soukoum Kalé . The No. 2 was a speciall

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4th Affair.

4th Affair.

The Rustchuk Attack. —The fourth torpedo attack was made on the afternoon of the 20th of June, 1877, on a Turkish monitor off Rustchuk. The only Russian torpedo boat sent to the attack on this occasion was a Thornycroft named the Choutka , commanded by Lieutenant Skrydloff, and accompanied by a celebrated Russian artist, Verechtckaguine by name. The instant the torpedo boat was observed, so well directed and steady a fire was kept up by the monitor that both the lieutenant and the artist were ba

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5th Affair.

5th Affair.

The Aluta Attack. —The fifth attack was made on the 30th of June, 1877, on a Turkish monitor off the mouth of the Aluta, in the river Danube. This attempt, like the last, took place in broad daylight. Four Russian boats were sent forward, but in spite of the captain of the Turkish vessel doing all he could to run the boats down, none of them succeeded in getting sufficiently near the vessel to enable a torpedo to be placed in contact. The captain of the monitor took the precaution to rig his low

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6th Affair.

6th Affair.

The Soukoum Kaleh Attack. —The sixth attempt was made on the 23rd-24th of August, 1877, on a Turkish ironclad, the Assari Shefket , at the time lying at anchor off Soukoum Kaleh. [U] Four torpedo boats composed the attacking force, viz. the Sinope , Lieutenant Pisarefski; the Torpedoist , Midshipman Nelson Hirst; the Navarino , Lieutenant Vichnevetski; and the Tchesme , Lieutenant Zatzarennyi, the latter officer being in command. These boats had been brought to the entrance of the harbour by the

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7th Affair.

7th Affair.

The Second Batoum Attack. —The seventh attempt was made on the night of the 27th-28th of December, 1877, on several Turkish men-of-war anchored in the harbour of Batoum (the scene of the first Russian torpedo attempt and failure). Four boats composed the attacking force, viz. the Tchesme , Lieutenant Zatzarennyi, in command, armed with a Whitehead fish torpedo, containing 32 kilog. of gun-cotton, fitted to fire from a tube under the boat's keel; the Sinope , Lieutenant Stchelinski, armed with a

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8th Affair.

8th Affair.

The Final Attack. —The eighth and last attempt was made on the night of the 25th-26th of January, 1878. This was originally intended to be an attack on the Turkish fleet at Batoum, but on entering that harbour the two Russian torpedo boats, the Tchesme , Lieutenant Zatzarennyi, and the Sinope , Lieutenant Stchelinski, were met by a Turkish revenue steamer, against which the boats discharged their Whitehead torpedoes, resulting in her complete destruction, at the same time arousing the squadron,

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A.—Explosive Mixtures.

A.—Explosive Mixtures.

Gunpowder. —This explosive mixture is composed of seventy-five parts of nitre (saltpetre), fifteen parts of charcoal, and ten parts of sulphur. On being ignited, the oxygen which is feebly held by the nitrogen combines with the carbon, forming carbonic oxide gas, whilst the sulphur unites with the potassium of the nitre, the whole combination being accompanied by a great evolution of heat and expansion of gas, and the nitrogen is set free. Properties, &amp;c. —A spark, friction between hard

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B.—Explosive Compounds.

B.—Explosive Compounds.

Nitro-glycerine. —Nitro-glycerine is formed by the action of nitric acid upon glycerine at a low temperature. The manufacture of this compound consists, first, in the slow mixture of the glycerine with the acid, at a low temperature; secondly, in washing the nitro-glycerine from the excess of acid with water. The nitric acid before use is mixed with a certain proportion of strong sulphuric acid, so that the water formed during the reaction may be taken up, and thus any dilution of the nitric aci

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1st Experiment.

1st Experiment.

Target:—1" thick, and 2' × 2', supported in a horizontal position on a substructure consisting of 8" timber resting on two pieces of 6" timber under two sides, and completely supported by earth up to lower edge of substructure. Torpedo:—33 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in a square wooden case 2-1/4" high, and 5·5" × 5·5"; it was placed on the middle of the earth with 8" of earth tamping; this tamping representing the resistance of a thin stratum of water. Effect of explosion:—The plate was broken i

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2nd Experiment.

2nd Experiment.

Target:—2" thick, and 2' × 2-1/2', supported in a horizontal position on a substructure as above, but resting on four piles of 6" x 6" timber. Torpedo:—8·9 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in a wooden case 4" high, and 5" × 10". It was laid with one edge on the plate, the other edge 3" above the plate; same tamping as above. Effect of explosion:—The plate broken into three pieces, and substructure crushed....

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3rd Experiment.

3rd Experiment.

Target:—5" thick, and 3' 8" × 4' 7", supported in a horizontal position on a substructure as above, but eight piles of 6" × 6" timber used. Plate bolted to the structure with eights. Torpedo:—44·4 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in a wooden case, of same thickness as the Harvey torpedo, and 4" × 13" × 21"; it was placed with surface against the plate, one edge 2" and the other 5-1/2" from the plate; tamping as before. Effect of explosion:—Plate bulged 3-1/4" in the middle; substructure completely cru

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4th Experiment.

4th Experiment.

Target:—5" thick, and 3' 8" × 4' 7"; this was the same plate as used in the previous experiment, laid with bulge uppermost on two beams under the short sides. Torpedo:—44·4 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in a cylindrical tin box 7-1/2" × 2'; it was placed on top of plate 11" from one side and with ends 9-1/2" from edge of plate; tamping as before. Effect of explosion:—A corner of the plate broken off....

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5th Experiment.

5th Experiment.

Target:—Same plate placed vertically in the earth. Torpedo:—44·4 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in a cylindrical tin box 8·5" × 18"; it was placed on timber, so as to rest against the face and centre of the plate; tamping as usual. Effect of explosion:—Plate broken into four pieces, two of which were large; pieces hurled over parapet, one fell at a distance of 400 feet. Experiments at Carlscrona, Sweden, in 1874-75. —These experiments were carried out by the Swedish torpedo authorities, to ascertain

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1st Experiment.

1st Experiment.

Torpedo:—33 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in cylindrical steel case, no air space; height 10·75", diameter 10·75", and thickness 1/32". It was placed 25·5' from the target, opposite No. 7 frame, and 9·25' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Ship appeared to be lifted bodily. A rivet in the midship longitudinal bulkhead of fore compartment was loosened. The torpedo was fired from the ship, and the shock felt was not very great....

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2nd Experiment.

2nd Experiment.

Torpedo:—47·2 lbs. of dynamite, in cylindrical steel case, no air space; height 12", diameter 12", and thickness 1/32". It was placed 25·5' from No. 5 frame, 9·25' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Ship appeared to be lifted bodily. A leak was started in the outer bottom opposite to charge, caused by the loosening of five rivets....

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3rd Experiment.

3rd Experiment.

Torpedo:—112 lbs. of gunpowder, rifle small grain, enclosed in cylindrical steel case placed inside an iron case, with an air space all round; steel case, 9-1/2" × 22-1/2" × 1/32"; iron case 33" × 25" × 1/4". It was placed 12' from No. 5 frame, 9·25' below the surface. Effect of explosion:—Centre of ship lifted bodily, as if her back was broken; ship then rolled heavily to port. On board fire engines and troughs displaced several feet: shores and struts started, showing that the shock was consid

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4th Experiment.

4th Experiment.

Torpedo:—33 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed as in first experiment. It was placed 15' from No. 7 frame, 9·25' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Ship rolled slightly to port. A bolt securing the midship transverse bulkhead to beam was sheared. No damage done to the target....

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5th Experiment.

5th Experiment.

Torpedo:—66 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in steel cylindrical case, no air space, 13·5" × 13" × 1/32". It was placed 21' from No. 3 frame, 9·25' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—A rivet in outer bottom, above water line at fore end of target, was sheared. A few rivets in outer bottom opposite charge, and two in after compartment, were started, but no leak was perceptible. Several shores slightly displaced....

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6th Experiment.

6th Experiment.

Torpedo:—33 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed as in first experiment. It was placed 12·75' from No. 7 frame, 9·25' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Ship not lifted as much as was the case in No. 3 experiment; but explosion much sharper. On board, fire engines were capsized, and vertical shores displaced. Outer bottom opposite charge indented to a depth of about 1/2 an inch, other parts less bulged, and many rivets started....

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7th Experiment.

7th Experiment.

Torpedo:—33 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed as in first experiment. It was placed 4' from No. 4 frame, 9·25' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Effect very great; ship hurled suddenly to starboard. On going on board two minutes after the explosion, the fore compartment was found full, the after compartment became full ten minutes later. Shores and struts were considerably displaced, and there was evidence that the ship had sustained a severe shock. Outer bottom injured over an area

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8th Experiment.

8th Experiment.

Torpedo:—660 lbs. of gunpowder, enclosed in a buoyant cylindrical 1/4" iron case. It was placed 32·3' from No. 4 frame, 29·25" below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—The ship and target had been thoroughly repaired, and were in good condition when this experiment was made; the ship was in this case moored in 65 feet of water. No effect was produced on the target by the explosion....

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9th Experiment.

9th Experiment.

Torpedo:—19 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in a cylindrical steel case with arched ends. It was placed 10·5' from No. 3 frame, 9·25' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Effect produced apparently equal to that by No. 3 charge of 112 lbs. of gunpowder at 12'; indentation being from 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches in the outer skin opposite the torpedo....

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10th Experiment.

10th Experiment.

Torpedo:—19 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in a case similar to that used in the 9th experiment. It was placed 3·3' from No. 7 frame, 9·25' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Hole produced in outer skin, 6·5' × 2' to 5'; inner skin only bulged and slightly cracked in two places. Above the longitudinal frame, a bulge was made in the outer skin 8' × 7', with the above-mentioned hole; below the longitudinal frame the indentation was 14' × 5' and 2·1" deep, with two horizontal cracks 1

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11th Experiment.

11th Experiment.

Torpedo:—112 lbs. of gunpowder, enclosed in a cylindrical case of 3/64" steel, placed in a 3/16" steel case, with 223 lbs. of buoyancy. Ignition effected by a glass igniting bottle. It was placed 5·75' from No. 5 frame, 9·25' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—There was but little upcast of water outside the ship, but a great upcast through the ship. She immediately lurched to starboard, and on boarding her five minutes after, the target was found full of water. The effect on t

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1st Experiment.

1st Experiment.

Torpedo:—500 lbs. of gun-cotton, in discs saturated with water, and enclosed in an iron cylindrical case, 34" × 30" × 1/4", with arched ends; the primer consisted of two dry discs, and two detonators. It was placed 101' horizontal from the target, and opposite the condenser on the starboard side; 47' below the surface of the water, on the ground. Effect of explosion:—No damage was done to the hull, or condenser, but light articles, such as bunker plates, gratings, tank lids, &amp;c., were di

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2nd Experiment.

2nd Experiment.

Torpedo:—As in first experiment. It was placed on the ground, 80' horizontal and opposite the condenser on the starboard side, 48' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—No damage was done to the hull, of condenser, but the bunker plates, gratings, &amp;c., were displaced to a greater extent than in the previous experiment....

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3rd Experiment.

3rd Experiment.

Torpedo:—As before. It was placed on the ground, 60' horizontal, and opposite the condenser on the starboard side; 47' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—No damage was done to the hull. Flanges of the condenser inlet pipe were cracked, and several of the joint bolts were broken. The condenser had been thrown up bodily, and had torn away its holding down bolts; but it was not as well secured as it would have been had it formed part of the machinery of a ship....

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4th Experiment.

4th Experiment.

Torpedo:—As before. It was placed on the ground, 50' horizontal, and opposite the condenser on the starboard side; 48' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Outer bottom on starboard indented over a length of about 100', being forced in between the frames; maximum indentation, 3/4". Many bracket frames were disturbed, and outer angle iron of water-tight longitudinal was started for a length of 30', and made to leak slightly. The shell of the condenser was cracked in two places, 3'

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5th Experiment.

5th Experiment.

Torpedo:—Same charge as before, but the primer consisted of four dry discs, and two detonators. It was placed 28·5' horizontal, opposite No. 9 frame, on the starboard side, 36' from the stern; 48' below the surface of the water, and 22' from the ground. Effect of explosion:—Bow observed to be lifted several feet. Several angle irons and bracket frames were cracked, and numerous rivets in outer bottom were broken off. The outer bottom on the starboard side was indented between the frames, and bra

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6th Experiment.

6th Experiment.

Torpedo:—As in previous experiment. It was placed on the ground, 28·5' horizontal, opposite No. 36 frame on the starboard side, and 30 feet from the stern; 49·5' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Several plates in the outer bottom were cracked, and outer bottom made to leak in several places, owing to the fractures in the plates, rivets being started, and seams being opened. Considerably more damage was effected than in previous experiment, but inner bottom still remained unin

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7th Experiment.

7th Experiment.

Torpedo:—As in the 5th experiment. It was placed on the ground, immediately under the edge of the outer bottom, 39-3/4' from the target, and opposite No. 18 frame, 70' from the stern; 50' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Outer and inner bottom broken entirely asunder at No. 19 frame on the starboard side, and between Nos. 16 and 17 on the portside. A fracture was caused in the outer bottom extending from the shelf plate to upper edge of strake next the keel on the starboard s

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1st Experiment.

1st Experiment.

Torpedo:—617 lbs. of dynamite. It was 62' horizontally from the keel, 53' actual distance from the side, and opposite amidships, 40·5' below the surface of the water, and 20' from the ground. Pontoon:—Draught of water 19', and moored in 62' of water. Effect of explosion:—The pontoon moved away bodily a distance of 13 feet; a few rivets in the outer bottom were started, and the outer skin was slightly indented between the frames; the maximum indentation being 1·5". No other damage was sustained b

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2nd Experiment.

2nd Experiment.

Torpedo:—585 lbs. of dynamite. It was placed 60' horizontally from the keel, 48' actual distance from the side, and opposite amidships; 36' below the surface of the water, and 42' from the ground. Pontoon:—Draught of water 19·5', and moored in 74' of water. Effect of explosion:—The pontoon, which had been more rigidly moored than in the previous experiment, was moved bodily away a distance of 4 feet. Many rivets were loosened, and a few connecting the angle irons were sheared; also the outer ski

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Experiment.

Experiment.

Torpedo:—660 lbs. of gunpowder, enclosed in a buoyant cylindrical 1/4" steel case with domed ends, and contained in an inner 1/16" steel case. It was ignited by two Von Ebner fuzes placed in a charge of 1/4 lb. of gunpowder and enclosed in a glass bottle. It was placed 5' horizontally from the water line, 23·75' actual distance from target, and opposite No. 5 (middle) frame of target, 29' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—The ship was moored in 54' of water. She was lifted by

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1st Experiment.

1st Experiment.

Torpedo:—60 lbs. of gun-cotton in slabs, saturated with water. Total weight of charge 75 lbs. It was enclosed in a 1/4" iron case with cast iron ends. It was placed at 15' actual distance from the nearest side of the case to the target, and opposite No. 4 frame on the port side, 10' below the surface of the water. Effect of the explosion:—The effect upon the vessel was unappreciable. This charge represented the large Whitehead fish torpedo, and its position corresponded to that of this torpedo w

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2nd Experiment.

2nd Experiment.

Torpedo:—The Harvey towing torpedo, charged with 66 lbs. of gunpowder, primed with gunpowder, and fired by means of an electric fuze. It was placed at 3' actual distance from the target, measuring from the centre of the torpedo, and opposite No. 4 solid frame on the starboard side, the vertical axis of the torpedo being at right angles to the vessel's side, 9-1/4' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—This and the two following torpedoes were fired simultaneously. The outer bottom

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3rd Experiment.

3rd Experiment.

Torpedo:—33 lbs. of granulated gun-cotton, saturated with water; total weight of charge being about 41 lbs. It was enclosed in a 1/4" iron case, 12-1/2" × 12" × 12-1/2", the primer being 2-1/2 lbs. of slab gun-cotton, included in the 33 lbs. It was placed at 4' actual distance from the target, measuring from the centre of the case, and opposite No. 30-1/2 solid frame on the starboard side; 9-1/4' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Outer bottom blown in from upper edge of the lo

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4th Experiment.

4th Experiment.

Torpedo:—31 lbs. 14 oz. of gun-cotton in slabs, saturated with water, total weight about 40 lbs. It was enclosed in a 1/4" iron case 12-1/2" × 12-1/2" × 6"; primer being 20 oz. of gun-cotton, included in the 31 lbs. 14 oz. It was placed at 4' actual distance from the target measuring from the centre of the case, and opposite No. 30-1/2 solid frame on the port side; 9-1/4' below the surface of the water. Effect of explosion:—Outer bottom and frames injured in a similar manner to that described in

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1st Experiment.

1st Experiment.

Experiments in the Medway, England, 1870. —Countermine:—432 lbs. of compressed gun-cotton, enclosed in a 3/16" iron case. It was moored at a depth of 37' below the surface of the water. Submarine mines:—A series of similar cases containing coal dust, &amp;c., were moored at distances of 50' to 100' from the countermine, and 37 feet below the surface. Effect of explosion:—The submarine mine at 80' distance was completely destroyed; the dome of its circuit closer was dented in....

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2nd Experiment.

2nd Experiment.

Countermine:—As before, but moored 27' below the surface. Submarine mines:—As before, but moored at distances of 70' to 120' from the countermine, and 27' below the surface. Effect of explosion:—The submarine mine case at 120' distance was dented, but remained water-tight; the copper guard of fuze piece collapsed, and the earth connection of the fuzes was ruptured; the dome of its circuit closer was dented....

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3rd Experiment.

3rd Experiment.

Countermine:—As before, but moored 47' below the surface. Submarine mines:—As before, but moored at distances of 70' to 200' from the countermine. Effect of explosion:—The submarine mine case at 200' distance was dented, but it did not leak....

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1st Experiment.

1st Experiment.

Experiments at Stokes Bay, England, 1873. —Countermine:—500 lbs. of gun-cotton, enclosed in a 3/16" iron case. It was placed on the ground, in 47' of water. Submarine mines:—Six ground mines, 1/4" thick cases, fitted with circuit, 10' below the surface, at distances of 100' to 200' from the countermine. Effect of explosion:—Submarine mines at 100' and 120' distance were destroyed, and their circuit closers thrown out of adjustment; submarine mines at 140' and 170' distance were much bulged, and

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2nd Experiment.

2nd Experiment.

Countermine:—100 lbs. of gun-cotton enclosed in case, thickness No. 12 B. W. G. It was moored 10' below the surface, in 35' of water. Submarine mines:—Five similar mines placed at same depth, at distances of 50' to 150' from the countermine. Effect of explosion:—The submarine mine at 50' distance showed continued or dead earth, two screws broken, and its case dented; the other mines were uninjured....

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1st Experiment.

1st Experiment.

Experiments at Carlscrona, Sweden, 1874. —Countermines:—226 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in a case 17-1/2" × 20" × 1/8". It was moored 9-3/4' below the surface, the depth of water being 41 feet. Submarine mines:—( a ) cast iron ground 600 lb. mines, dome shaped, 48-3/4" × 21-1/2" × 2"; ( b ) cylindrical cases, wrought iron, empty, 11-1/2" × 11-1/2" × 1/8"; ( c ) cylindrical cases, wrought iron, charged, 11-1/2" × 11-1/2" × 1/8"; ( d ) cylindrical cases, wrought iron, 30-1/4" × 30-1/4" × 1/8"; ( e

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2nd Experiment.

2nd Experiment.

Countermine:—As before, but moored at 29-1/4' below the surface; depth of water, 41 feet. Submarine mines:—As before. Effect of explosion:—( a ) mine, at 146' distance, split in two; ( b ) mine, 34' distance, destroyed; at 49' distance, fractured; at 68' distance, indented but not fractured; ( c ) mine, 58' distance, case much bulged, and leaky; ( d ) mine, at 244' distance, rivets started, case half full of water; at 195' distance, sunk, several rivets started; ( e ) mine, at 195' distance, bol

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3rd Experiment.

3rd Experiment.

Countermine:—453 lbs. of dynamite, enclosed in a case, 24-1/2" × 28-1/4" × 1/8". It was moored 9-3/4' below the surface; depth of water as before. Effect of explosion:—( b ) mine, at 49' distance, sunk and not recovered; at 58' distance, very much indented; ( c ) mine, at 58' distance, case much indented and leaky; ( f ) mine, at 48-1/2' distance, uninjured....

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4th Experiment.

4th Experiment.

Countermine:—As before, but moored 29-1/4' below the surface. Effect of explosion:—( a ) mine, at 195' distance, completely stove in; ( c ) mine, at 58' distance, case indented but charge dry; ( e ) mine, at 175' distance, slightly leaky; ( f ) mine, at 48-1/2' distance, upper half indented in three places. It was also discovered during the above experiments that submarine mines charged with dynamite can be caused to explode by the detonation of a charge of the same explosive, at distances from

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ERRATA.

ERRATA.

On Page 7 (line 11) insert words "could be destroyed" after "anchor." On Page 284, (Middle of page) "Fig. 176" should be " Fig. 168 ." On Page 285 (4th line from bottom) "e" should be "d." ' Among illustrated works, none has appeared of greater interest than this upon the Royal Navy. '— Times. ' As an illustrated gift-book, independent of its historic interest, "The Royal Navy," from the truthfulness of its illustrations, cannot but recommend itself, not only to the Royal Service, but also to th

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NAVAL PROFESSIONAL BOOKS. SOLD BY MESSRS. GRIFFIN & CO.

NAVAL PROFESSIONAL BOOKS. SOLD BY MESSRS. GRIFFIN & CO.

Page 162, equal sign added to equation ((314 × 200) / 196 = 320 lbs) Page 168, "THORNICROFT'S" changed "THORNYCROFT'S" on Plate XLVII. Page 170, "THORNICROFT'S" changed "THORNYCROFT'S" on Plate XLVIII. Page 199, "Poustchin" changed to "Poutschin" (Alongside Poutschin remained for some) Page 208, "spaces" changed to "space" (intervening space of) Page 212, subscript for O in chemical formula was unreadable. "5" was presumed and added. (the formula CH 7 (NO 2 ) 3 O 5 ) Page 240, "Seimens" changed

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