| Show TORPEDOES great many people are making in quirles regarding features of the war brought out by reason of its existence it to is doubtless safe to assume that most of the information obtained by y such means would have remained un jv Opy eloped but for the situation for instance juam ce the torpedo which promises to play if it has not already played a prominent part in the conflict is a comparatively unknown quantity elsewhere as well as in utah and there tore is a subject of corresponding interest these dreaded adjuncts of modern warfare are divided into two general elres es movable and stationary the bratter constituting what is known as a mine and this in turn consisting of the ground and floating mine the torpedo proper is of two kinds called the automobile or self moving and dbrig ble meaning one that to is directed or moved by influences apart from itself these terms have been contracted so that now the stationary class is known as the submarine mine while torpedo by itself means one of the movable explosives plo those mines which are buoyant explode by coming in contact with or 01 near near to the sides or bottom of a vessel under water while the stationary or ground mine acts at a considerably greater distance it is also the case that mines are divided into other classes these relying for their distinction upon whether or not they are under the control of operators in all of which cases electricity to is the ex floding and ana moving agent A writer in colliers weekly shows that the depth of water in a harbor has much to do with the f form orm of torpedo used and in channels where there is less than thirty feet at high tide the mine case which rests on the bottom has the shape of the segment of a sphere with a flat bottom the electrical apparatus to is attached to a buoy anchored to the case and submerged four feet the explosive charge is generally about pounds of dynamite or wet gun cotton the buoyant mine is a hollow sphere constructed of steel having a ring at the top for handling and directly opposite a hole for loading and inserting the electrical apparatus over this Is fitted a cap for attaching the mooring chain and cable it is generally submerged about four feet below low water and the explosive charge is pounds of dynamite or wet gun cotton A mushroom anchor holds the mine in position another form of submarine mine is one which will explode by contact with a ships bottom but as these are dangerous dan both to friend and foe they are now seldom used in any scheme for defense meantime the torpedo boat and destroyer are kept in the background it would seem to be a safe even judging from this great distance that their utility as war craft has been somewhat if not considerably overrated perhaps it will be found in actual engagements that instead of being certain destroyers they are certain of destruction when undertaking an independent assault upon a well armed vessel it would seem to be the case that they are of least value in the open sea and of the most value nearer shore or in places where the ship attacked has not a fair op opportunity y for maneuvering and thus keeping respectful distances between them that the torpedo boat is however a thing t to 0 be watched and shunned Is well assured |
