GERMAN AND FRENCH TOWING TORPEDOES.Plate XXXV
GERMAN AND FRENCH TOWING TORPEDOES.
The torpedo is manipulated in a similar manner to the Harvey, the circuit being closed at the moment of the first buoy disappearing, atwhich time the torpedo would be about ten feet below the surface. The two buoys are together capable of supporting the torpedo, and thus by means of the second one it may be picked up, should it be necessary to cut the towing ropes.
Description of the French Towing Torpedo.—The towing torpedo used by the French is represented in section and plan atFig. 118.
ais the body of the torpedo, formed of wood enclosed in a thin steel case;bis the head made of cork;cis the case containing the charge, which is generally 33 lbs. of dynamite, this case is supported by the boltdresting on the platee;f,fare whiskers, which are connected to the platee;gandhare hollow tubes, one end ofgbeing attached to the casee, and one end ofhto the rear end of the body of the torpedoa, and they are so arranged that when the casecis released, its weight will draw out the tubeg, which slides along the tubehto nearly the full extent of the latter;k,kare bolts, to which the towing sling is attached;lis the fuze, andnis a small gun used for firing the torpedo at will. The hole in the plateethrough which the boltdpasses is larger than the latter, so that when the plate is moved backwards by pressure being applied to the whiskers the bolt is freed from support, and casecattached to it falls.
The modes of firing are as follows:—
1.—The automatic plan of firing is effected by the tubeh, after it has fallen a certain distance, corresponding to a depth of 9 feet for the casec, drawing down by means of a line attached to it a plug contained in the bodya, which completes the circuit of the firing battery.
2.—The plan of releasing the charge at will is effected by means of the small gunn, which is fired by electricity, and by its firing forces back the platee, thus releasing the charge, which is then exploded, as previously explained.
Locomotive Torpedoes.—By "Locomotive" torpedoes are meant those that possess within themselves the power to move through the water, when once started in a given direction.
Of this species of submarine weapons, the following are the most efficient and are the ones most generally used:—
Invention and Adoption of the Fish Torpedo.—The idea developedby the fish torpedo is due to an Austrian marine artillery officer, who is now dead. In 1864, Mr. Robert Whitehead, then superintendent of iron works at Fiume, acting upon the suggestions of a Captain Lupuis of the Austrian army, commenced a series of experiments to ascertain the practical value of the above idea, the result being a fish torpedo, commonly called "The Whitehead," which though far inferior to the fish torpedo of the present day, was then considered to be a fearful and wonderful weapon.
The Austrians were the first to purchase this weapon, and two years later, in 1870, Mr. Whitehead came to England, and prosecuted numerous experiments with his fish torpedo under the supervision of several English officers, and on the 8th of October of the same year he succeeded in completely destroying an old hulk moored at the mouth of the Medway. The fairly successful results of these experiments induced the English government to purchase the secret and several of Mr. Whitehead's fish torpedoes, under the following conditions:—
1.—The right of manufacturing them in England.
2.—To be kept fully informed of all improvements, as soon as made.
3.—The right of using all such improvements.
And the total amount paid to Mr. K. Whitehead at that time was the sum of seventeen thousand five hundred pounds, which did not include the sum of two thousand five hundred pounds claimed for the expenses attendant on the Medway experiments. Since then a large number of Whitehead's fish torpedoes have been purchased from time to time, especially during the Turco-Russian war, when some two hundred were ordered, also great numbers have been manufactured at Woolwich. The English fish torpedo, as far as can be ascertained, is a vastly superior weapon to the Whitehead fish torpedo, possessing as it does increased speed, and therefore far greater accuracy.
Besides Austria and England, nearly all the European governments have purchased the Whitehead secret and torpedoes, but in the case of some of them, the last two clauses of the English conditions of purchase were omitted.
WHITEHEAD'S FISH TORPEDO.Plate XXXVI
WHITEHEAD'S FISH TORPEDO.
The Turkish is the only government that has obtained the Whitehead secret and torpedoes without paying for it. This was managed as follows:—
"On the night of the 20th of December, 1877, the Russians made an attack with Whitehead torpedoes on an Ottoman squadron lying inthe harbour of Batoum, but owing to a want of practical knowledge of the manipulation of such weapons, no vessels were sunk or damaged, but two fish torpedoes, one in perfect condition, were found the next morning high and dry on the beach at that place."
The American government have up to the present time not sanctioned the purchase of the costly Whitehead torpedo, preferring their own locomotive torpedo, which will be fully described further on. On a government purchasing the fish torpedo, a certain number of their naval or military officers are sent to Fiume in Austria, where Mr. R. Whitehead's manufactories are situated, and where the necessary very exhaustive experiments with his torpedoes are carried out, and are there thoroughly instructed in the manipulation of these machines, and are also supplied with a double set of drawings of the various parts of the torpedo. These officers, and all others whom it may be necessary to initiate into the mysteries of the Whitehead secret, are bound on their honour not to divulge it.
Employment of Fish Torpedoes in War.—The fish torpedo has been employed on actual service on three known occasions only, in two of which it failed to fulfil its deadly mission.
On the 29th of May, 1877, a Whitehead fish torpedo was fired by H.M.S.Shahagainst the Peruvian ironcladHuascar, but failed to strike her, owing to the latter vessel altering her course at the moment of the torpedo being discharged. The next instance of the employment of the Whitehead torpedo was that one mentioned atpage 132. The last and only successful attempt yet made occurred on the 26th of January, 1878, when the Russian steamerConstantinefired a Whitehead torpedo against a Turkish guard vessel off the harbour of Batoum, and completely destroyed her.
Description of Torpedo.—A general view of the Whitehead fish torpedo is shown atFig. 119. It is divided into three parts, connected together by screws.
1.—The charge chamber.
2.—The adjustment chamber, in which is placed what is known as the secret.
3.—The air and engine chamber.
Vertical and horizontal steel fins are fitted for the purpose of maintaining the torpedo in an upright position whilst passing through the discharge tube, or frame; the former fins run nearly the whole lengthof the weapon, while the latter are considerably shorter. The motive power of the torpedo is compressed air, forced by means of a powerful steam air compressing pump into a portion of the steel chamber (3) at a tension of upwards of 1000 pounds to the square inch, which is equivalent to about sixty atmospheres, and which by means of a set of small three cylinder Brotherhood engines, contained in the steel chamber (3), drives two screw propellers. These engines are capable of exerting a force of forty indicated horses, and yet only weigh about thirty-five pounds, from which it will be understood that to attain these results the workmanship and materials employed in their manufacture are of the very highest order and fineness.
The torpedo is made of various sizes, ranging from 14' long and 14" maximum diameter to 19' long and 16" maximum diameter.
Capabilities of the Fish Torpedo.—The capabilities of the fish torpedo are as follows:—
1.—If adjusted for a certain depth, from 5 to 15 feet, and projected from above water, or if started from the surface, or if discharged from a submerged tube, it will rapidly attain that depth, and maintain it during the run.
2.—If fired in still water, it will make a straight run in the line of projection, provided that an allowance has been made for the deflection due to transverse currents.
3.—It can be adjusted to stop after having run any distance up to its extreme range, and after stopping to sink, float, or explode.
4.—Its range and speed vary considerably, according to the pattern of the torpedo.
Whitehead Fish Torpedo.Woolwich Fish Torpedo.Yards.14' long, 16" max. diam. one screw.14' long, 16" max. diam. two screws.14' long, 14" max. diam. two screws.14·5' long, 14" max. diam. two screws.200....20 knots.25-1/4 knots.2509-1/2 knots.......300..12-1/4 knots.19-1/4 knots.24-1/2 knots.4008 knots...18 knots.23 knots.600..11 knots...20 knots.750..10-1/2 knots.....8007 knots...16-1/2 knots.18 knots.1000..9 knots...15-1/2 knots.
Pressure of air in engines varies for distance and speed from 40 atmospheres to 140 atmospheres.
Placing the Charge.—The explosive is generally placed in what is termed the cartridge case, which case is similar in shape to the interior of the charge chamber (1), and is fixed thereto by means of wooden wedges.
Ignition.—The method of ignition is mechanical, and is arranged as follows:—Extending from the nose of the torpedo to the cartridge case is a tube terminating in a copper case, in which is placed the priming charge and detonating composition; within this tube is a steel rod some 2 feet long, fitted with a needle point at its inner end, and its outer end screwed into a frame; this frame is capable of moving in and out, and is connected with a spiral spring which tends to force it, and consequently the steel rod, or striker, inwards. By compressing this spiral spring, the inner end of the frame is butted against a catch, by which it is prevented from acting. On this catch being released, no matter by what means, the spring is brought into action and forces the frame and steel striker inwards, the needle point of the latter coming into contact with the detonator fires the priming charge, and so explodes the torpedo. The foremost extremity of the torpedo, which is termed the nose piece, is so fitted that it is capable of being forced inwards, but in a position of rest its inner edge is just clear of the catch. On a pressure being brought on the nose piece in a direct line with the length of the torpedo, it will be forced inwards, the result being the releasing of the catch and explosion of the torpedo. In addition to the nose piece, horizontal and vertical levers, or whiskers, may also be used, a slight pressure on either of which will similarly effect the explosion of the torpedo; also cutters for penetrating nets, &c., are fitted to the nose piece when desired.
Safety Wedge and Key.—For safety purposes a wedge is employed, which when in the safety position prevents the catch from acting; this wedge is so arranged that it may be withdrawn by the action of the machinery after the torpedo has run a certain distance, and also may be replaced by similar means in the safety position on the completion of the run. As an additional precaution a safety key is used, which is inserted in the head of the torpedo through the spring of the frame.
Description of Adjustment Apparatus.—For adjusting the length of range for withdrawing and replacing the safety wedge, &c., the following apparatus is employed.
Two cog wheels, a large and a small one, are fixed on the upper part of the after end of the torpedo, just in front of the screw propellers: the small wheel is fitted with a certain number of teeth, thirty for instance, which gears into an endless screw attached to the propeller in such a manner that one revolution of the propeller moves the wheel one tooth, therefore thirty revolutions would turn the wheel one complete revolution. The big wheel is fitted with much larger teeth than the small one, and by means of a pin on the latter wheel is moved round one tooth for every complete revolution of the small wheel, and clamped in this new position by a spring catch, which is also worked by the pin on the small wheel. In front of these wheels is a stud which works fore and aft in a slot, and attached to a spring which tends to draw it to the after end of the slot. This stud is connected by means of a wire rod to the valve that admits the compressed air to the engines; when the stud is in the fore part of the slot the valve is open, and when in the after part it is closed.
Adjusting Length of Range.—By means of a lever the spring of the stud is compressed, and the stud moved to the fore part of the slot; then the big wheel is moved round until a stud on its face is the required number of teeth above the lever. For every thirty revolutions of the propeller, and consequently one tooth of the big wheel, a certain known distance is traversed, which varies according to the pattern of the torpedo.
Adjusting Apparatus.—When the propeller has made the number of revolutions corresponding to the length of range required, and consequently has moved the big wheel the number of teeth it was set above the lever, the stud on the big wheel presses against the lever and so releases the spring in the slot, causing the slot stud to fly from the fore part to the after part of the slot, by which action the valve admitting the compressed air to the engines is closed, and consequently the engines cease to work.
Attached to the axle of the big wheel is a small brass arm, which is connected by means of a brass rod to the safety wedge, and is so arranged that after the required number of revolutions of the propeller, the safety wedge will be drawn out; or it may be drawn out at the instant of the torpedo leaving the tube, carriage, &c. Also by means of an additional lever at the fore part of the torpedo, which is connected by means of a wire rod to the valve that admits the air to the engines, and by arrangingthe attachment of the safety wedge to the brass rod from the big wheel, so that on the wedge being withdrawn it is released from that brass rod, on the torpedo having completed its run, the action of closing the valve which admits the air to the engines causes the additional lever to force the wedge into the safety position.
Torpedo to Float at End of Run.—This is due to the difference of buoyancy at the end of a run from what it was at the commencement, owing to the compressed air being used in working the engines.
Torpedo to Sink at End of Run.—This is effected by means of the adjustment chamber (2), in the after end of which there is a spiral spring valve, which can be attached to the brass rod on the outside of the torpedo that works the valve which admits air to the engines, in such a way that on the valve being closed, and therefore the run of the torpedo completed, the spiral spring valve is opened, admitting water to the adjustment chamber (2) of sufficient amount to sink the torpedo.
To Explode the Torpedo at End of Run.—This is effected by connecting the vertical firing whisker to the rod which otherwise would be connected to the safety wedge lever, by which means, on the valve admitting air to the engines being closed, a force is transmitted to the vertical whisker instead of to the safety wedge lever, and consequently the torpedo is exploded.
Adjusting the Depth.—A small wheel, the face of which is marked in feet, is placed on the left side of the fore part of the adjustment chamber (2). To adjust for depth, by means of a key turn the wheel until the number corresponding to the depth of run required is opposite the pointer.
The torpedo is maintained at the desired depth by means of certain mechanical apparatus contained within the adjustment chamber (2), and which constitutes what is termed the secret of the fish torpedo. This chamber is connected by screws to the foremost and after chambers of the torpedo, in such a manner that by means of a number of small holes bored round the circumference, as shown at (2),Fig. 119, the faces of the chamber are exposed to the pressure of the water, which varies with the depth to which the torpedo descends. Within the adjustment chamber is an endless strong spiral spring, attached to the after face of the chamber, and so arranged that after being set to a certain tension, capable of resisting an equivalent pressure on the outside of the aforesaid face, any increase or decrease in this exteriorpressure will cause the spiral spring to work a rod by which the horizontal rudders of the torpedo are regulated, and thus the desired depth for which the spring is set is maintained. The course of the torpedo is represented by a series of curves, above and below the line, representing the depth it is set for, these curves gradually decreasing until at 100 yards' distance from where the torpedo was started the curves are so small that the path of the torpedo is almost identical to that of a straight line.
Within this adjustment chamber is also placed an automatic balance, which also assists to maintain the torpedo at the desired depth, by reason of its swinging forward on the torpedo descending, and swinging aft on its rising, which motion is used to regulate the horizontal rudders. The above is merely a general idea of the arrangement used in the Whitehead fish torpedo, to enable it to reach and maintain whatever depth it may be necessary to use it at from 5 to 15 feet.
Projecting the Torpedo.—The fish torpedo may be projected in various ways, viz.:—
1.—Through a submerged tube in the stem, or on the broadside.
2.—From a carriage above the surface.
3.—From the surface.
Discharging Torpedo through a Submerged Tube in the Stem.—In this case a tube is fitted to an orifice in the stem; this opening is as far below the water line as possible, and is closed by a watertight cap and a sluice valve; the inner end of the tube is fitted with a watertight door; the torpedo being prepared for action is placed inside the tube, the inner door closed, and the tube filled with water; then the watertight cap and sluice valve are opened, and the torpedo started by means of a piston which is worked by compressed air. This piston can be worked from deck, and so the torpedo fired at the proper instant. To prevent the torpedo from slipping out of the tube, a stop is placed in the fore end of it, which can be withdrawn at the same time as the compressed air is admitted behind the piston. The torpedo being clear of the tube, the sluice valve and watertight cap are closed, and the tube emptied of the water, the projecting piston being at the same time forced back.
On the Broadside.—In this case, the discharging tube works inside an iron casing, through a stuffing box at the inner end, and in ashield attached to the outer end of the tube. This shield, placed on the fore side of the orifice, is of such a length as to protect the torpedo from the pressure of the water passing the vessel. The mode of discharging the torpedo in this case is similar to that used when projecting it through the stem.
Comparison of the Stem and Broadside Methods of Projecting the Torpedo.—The former method of projecting the torpedo seems the most suitable to specially built torpedo vessels, but not so to large ironclads, on account of the difficulty of fitting a tube to the stem of such a ship, and also that in so doing the efficiency of the vessel as a ram would be impaired.
In regard to the accuracy of the firing of the above methods, both seem equally good, though in the case of firing on the broadside it would be necessary to prepare carefully calculated tables of deflection, any mistake in the using of which would be fatal to a successful torpedo shot.
Projecting a Torpedo from above Water.—In this case an iron carriage is used, which is fitted with a frame, in which the torpedo rests; the outer end of this frame is provided with a lip, some few feet long, by which means the rear end of the torpedo is slightly canted up on leaving the frame, and any undue strain on the tail of the torpedo is prevented. The frame is mounted in the iron carriage in such a way that it can be elevated or depressed by means of a screw, as in the case of a gun mounted in an ordinary carriage. The torpedo is ejected from the frame by means of a piston as previously explained, a small reservoir of air being attached to the carriage, so that it can be used at any port.
Firing a Torpedo from the Surface.—The torpedo possesses sufficient buoyancy to float with a small portion of its upper surface above water; such being the case, it is only necessary to set the various adjustments, point it in the required direction, and by hand turn back the lever on the upper part of the weapon (which opens a communication between the air chamber and the engines), when it will instantly dart off and very rapidly attain the depth it is set for.
Method of Firing a Fish Torpedo from a Boat.—To manipulate a fish torpedo from a boat, it may be carried in a light frame, which can be lowered or raised by means of a pair of davits. When required to discharge the torpedo, the frame containing it is lowered into thewater, so as to bring the torpedo about two feet below the surface, the head being somewhat lower than the tail.
Thornycroft's Method of Firing Fish Torpedoes from a Boat.—Another method, which has been patented by Mr. J. I. Thornycroft, of the firm of J. I. Thornycroft and Co., steam launch builders, and which is fitted to the torpedo boats built by them for foreign governments, is shown in elevation and plan atFig. 120and121.
The apparatus consists of two or more bent leversAsecurely and rigidly fixed on a shaftB, which works in bearings fixed on the deck of the vesselCfrom which the torpedo is to be discharged. On the ends of the leversAfurthest from the shaftBare pivoted other leversD, to which the cradle or caseEfor sustaining the torpedo is suspended. The other ends of each of these levers are connected to the vessel by means of rods or tubesF, jointed at each end in such a way that when the shaftBis made to revolve in its bearings, the case containing the torpedo is guided over the side of the vessel and close to it, and is held in a position convenient for discharging the torpedo, as shown atFig. 120.
The shaftBmay be made to revolve by means of ropesGand pulleysHattached to the leversA, or by hydraulic or steam pressure, as may be found most convenient.
The torpedo case can be towed alongside the vessel if necessary without deranging the apparatus. The torpedo case is carried in the angles of the bent levers, and is stowed away so that neither it nor the suspending levers project at all beyond the hull of the vessel; also when lowered, the levers and suspending rods fold over one another so as to occupy very little space, and the torpedo is suspended close to the hull.
Also the torpedo during the operation of lowering as well as when in a firing position remains close to the side of the vessel, thereby obviating any risk or inconvenience from excessive leverage which would have a tendency to capsize the boat.
For especially built torpedo launches, the above mode of carrying and launching the fish torpedo is certainly the best yet devised.
Woolwich Fish Torpedo.—In the Woolwich torpedo, the engines exert a force of nearly 60 indicated horses, and work up to 1000 revolutions per minute; the total weight of the torpedo fully charged (33 lbs. of gun-cotton) is about 500 lbs.
THORNICROFT'S BOAT APPARATUS FOR FISH TORPEDOES.Plate XXXVII
THORNICROFT'S BOAT APPARATUS FOR FISH TORPEDOES.
The Whitehead fish torpedo costs about 380l., while the Woolwich one costs only 300l.
The Lay Torpedo Boat.—Priority of invention of this torpedo was on the 13th of June, 1873, awarded by the Commissioners of Patents to Mr. John Louis Lay, several other persons having claimed the invention, among whom was Colonel Von Scheliha, an officer of the Russian army.
This locomotive torpedo, or more properly called torpedo boat, has been for several years adopted by the American government, during which time it has undergone a series of exhaustive experiments, which has proved it to be a most valuable and efficient weapon of offence and defence. Lately the Russian government have adopted it, and intend using it extensively in the defence of their harbours, &c.
General Description of the Torpedo.—AtFig. 122is shown a longitudinal section of a Lay torpedo boat constructed and provided with guiding and controlling apparatus, and with means for propelling it by ammoniacal gas.Fig. 123is a horizontal section of the same;Ais the hull or body of the boat, which has conical endsA1,A2, and is formed of thin plate iron, or steel, or other suitable material. The section in the endA1forms the magazine containing the charge of dynamite or other explosive material;A3is the section containing the gas reservoir or holder; the compartmentA4contains the apparatus for holding and paying out the electric cable; the compartmentA5in the endA2contains the motor engine, the steering apparatus, and other parts to be hereinafter described. All of these compartments or sections are separated from each other by means of air-tight bulkheadsA6. The torpedo boat may be propelled by means of a single screw, double screw, or two screws. In the latter method, which is shown atFig. 122and123, the propellersBandCare made to revolve in opposite directions; the shaftDof the propellerBis hollow or tubular, and the shaftEof the screwCpasses through the same; these screws are actuated by an engine shown atF.H,Hare the horizontal rudders, or side wings, two forward and two aft; these wings are mounted on shafts or spindles passing transversely through the boat; these rudders may be set to occupy a horizontal position, or a more or less inclined position in the proper direction, to cause the submerging of the boat by the action of the water on the said rudders as the boat moves forward, and they are adjusted before starting.N,Nare twoguide rods, one aft and one forward, which project up from the boat to enable the operator to determine its position at any part of its run, and in the case of a night attack they are provided with lights; the said rods can be raised or lowered at the will of the operator.Qis the electric cable, which affords a medium of communication between the operator on shore, &c., and the torpedo boat, whereby it may be started, stopped, steered, fired, and has her position ascertained; this cable is carried in the boat in a coil arranged longitudinally in the air-tight chamberA4in the reel frameR, and is payed out as the torpedo progresses through a tubeS, projecting aft under the boat and beyond the rudders and propellers, so that the said cable will not be fouled by the same; or it may be payed out through a hollow shaft in the centre of the boat. One end of this cable is connected to a keyboard at the station on shore or on board of the ship or other structure from which the torpedo boats are controlled. This keyboard is provided with a suitable battery or other means for generating the electric current, as hereinafter described.
The said cable is composed of several wires, each of which is insulated from the others. One of these wires is connected with the mechanism for starting and stopping the boat, one is connected with the steering apparatus, one serves for indicating to the operator at all times the exact position of the rudder, one is connected with mechanism for elevating and depressing the said guide rods, and one serves for firing the charge in the magazine.
The motive power for effecting the necessary movements of the mechanism or apparatus in performing the above operations is obtained from the aforesaid engines, which are provided with suitable valves arranged in combination with electro magnets, shunts, and the devices connected with the said wires of the cable, as hereinafter set forth.
This form of cable has since been replaced by one which consists of two wires only, the one for performing all of the necessary operations, exclusive of the firing or exploding of the magazine, and the other exclusively for this latter purpose. This improvement is effected by employing a series of relays or resistance coils, or a multiple, or compound relay in the boat. The advantages gained by this improved form of cable are:—
1.—Increased flexibility.
2.—A greater length of cable may be coiled in a given space.
3.—A thicker coat of insulating material may be used, thereby more perfectly insulating it.
4.—It is much cheaper.
Two rudders are generally used, one below and one above the boat, as shown atU,Fig. 122. These rudders are operated and controlled by means of a small auxiliary engineT,Fig. 122, which is started, stopped, and reversed by the electric current conducted through the cableQin connection with magnets attached directly to a valve forming part of the said engine. This valve is so actuated by the magnets that when the current passes in one direction the engineTwill move the rudder to starboard, and when the current acts in the opposite direction it will turn the rudder to port.
The mechanism for firing the charge in the magazineA1is clearly shown inFig. 124, and operates as follows:—Projecting from the front extremity or stem of the boat is a rod or pinV, which extends through a suitable packing boxWinto the said magazine or charge chamber; when the boat strikes an object, the said rod is forced inward into contact with the springs or pointsX, thereby closing an electrical circuit and igniting a cartridge, shown atY, in the magazine.
The charge in the magazine can also be fired at any moment by the operator on shore closing a circuit on the keyboard and thereby cutting out one of two resistance coils placed in the circuit to prevent accidental or premature discharge—that is to say, there are two resistance coils. The battery is not sufficiently powerful to fire through both resistance coils at the same time. When the boat strikes an object, the resistance coil in the magazine is cut out by the driving inward of the rodV, as above described; the battery then fires through the one on the keyboard. On the other hand, if the operator desires to fire the torpedo boat before she touches the object of attack, he manipulates the switch to cut out the coil in the keyboard, the charge then being fired through the coil in the magazine. This arrangement of the two resistance coils is very effectual in preventing accidents.
In some instances the magazine is made detachable from the hull of the boat, so that on striking an object it will descend or drop down in the water before exploding. This modification is shown atFig. 125and126.
The magazineA* is attached at its lower side to the boat by achain or other suitable connection. At its upper edge it is held by a roda*, as shown inFig. 125. This rod is fitted to slide in dovetailed bearings, as shown atb*, and when this magazine is in its place on the boat the said rod is engaged with a catch or stopc*, but when the said rod is driven against any object it is forced back and released from the said catch or stop, and the magazine then drops, as inFig. 126, and is fired.
To effect the firing a balld* is used and placed in a tube containing two springs or platese* and arranged in an upwardly inclined position, as shown inFig. 125, one of the said springs being connected with the cable and the other with a wire that passes through the cartridge to earth.
While the magazine is in the position shown inFig. 125the circuit is incomplete, but when the magazine drops the said ball falls into the position shown in Fig. 126; the circuit is then completed, and the magazine is fired.
The electrical or electro-magnetic apparatus for generating, directing, and controlling the currents, whereby the above-described operations are effected, may be of any suitable kind, the following being the form of apparatus usually employed.
A batteryr, shown atFig. 127, consists of any desired or requisite number of cells constructed and arranged in any suitable manner, and connected by proper conducting wires with the keyboards. The latter is provided with a series of pole changerss1,s2,s3,s4, and switchess5,s6, and is shown inFig. 128.
Each of these pole changers is arranged to effect and control one of the above-named operations, and is therefore connected with one of the aforesaid insulated wires forming the cable. For instance, the pole changers1effects the starting and stopping of the propelling engine;s2controls the steering apparatus;s3is connected with the steering index;s4operates or adjusts the aforesaid guiding rods; and the switchess5,s6control and effect the firing of the charge in the magazine.
LAY'S LOCOMOTIVE TORPEDO.Plate XXXVIII
LAY'S LOCOMOTIVE TORPEDO.
LAY'S LOCOMOTIVE TORPEDO.Plate XXXIX
LAY'S LOCOMOTIVE TORPEDO.
The connections between these pole changers and switches, and the apparatus they operate or control on board the boat, are as follows—that is to say, the said propelling engines have a throttle valve, which controls the admission of the gas from its generator or reservoir to the cylinders of the said engine, and in combination with thisvalve in the boat there is a shunt and set of electro magnets. The armature of the latter is connected with a lever, which is pivoted so that the action of the electric current in one direction through these magnets will pull one end of the said lever down, and the action of the current in the other direction will pull its other end down—that is to say, by reversing the current through these magnets the movement of the said lever is reversed; and this lever, connected by suitable means with the slide of the said throttle valve, will open or close the same, and thereby start or stop the engine as required.
For operating and controlling the above-described steering apparatus, and indicating the position of the rudder to the operator on shore, the following devices are employed, in combination with the pole changerss2,s3on the keyboard:—The pole changers are geared together by insulated toothed wheels, which are fixed on the spindles or axes of the said pole changers, so that the latter work accurately together and maintain the same relative positions to each other. The pole changers2is connected by one of the said insulated cable wires with a shunt on board the boat, which shunt is connected with a set of magnets arranged in combination with the valve of the engine that drives the steering apparatus, and which valve is reversed or opened and closed by the reversal of the currents through the said magnets, as above described, and the said engine moves the rudder to port or starboard at the will of the operator. In order that the operator may know the exact position of the rudder at any moment, a series of pins or projections fixed on an arc or other portion of the rudder stock, and arranged in combination with an insulated spring projecting into the path of the said series of pins, are employed. This spring is connected by one of the cable wires with the pole changers3on the keyboard, which is geared with and moves in unison with the pole changers2, so that the electric current that controls the steering engine, and the current that returns the indication of the rudder's position, will both be reversed simultaneously. A separate battery is connected with the index on the said keyboard, whereby a constant current is maintained between this index and the indicating apparatus on the boat.
The current passing from the said spring to the shore is made to indicate the position of the rudder by the index on the keyboard by the contrivance shown inFig. 129. This contrivance consists of aset of magnetsw, which have a vibrating armaturew1pivoted to oscillate between them. One end of the armature lever is provided with insulated spring pawlsw2, which take into ratchet wheelsw3. On the same shafts on which these ratchet wheels are fixed are wheelsw* formed with insulated teeth and geared with each other. The shaft of one of these wheels is geared by bevel pinionsw4with a vertical shaftw5, to which is attached the index needle or fingerx**,Fig. 128. Therefore it will be obvious that this index finger is placed in connection with the aforesaid spring and series of pins attached to the rudder yoke on board the boat.
Now it will be obvious that when the rudder is turned in either direction these pins will come successively in contact with the said spring, and at each contact and separation the circuit will be made and broken, and an impulse will be transmitted through the cable, whereby a corresponding movement will be transmitted to the said index finger or pointerx** on the keyboard.
The pole changers4is connected with another of the insulated wires of the cable, which on board the boat is connected with a shunt and set of magnets arranged in combination with the aforesaid cylinders that operate the said guiding rods, so that by sending the current in one direction the said rods will be raised, and by sending the current in the opposite direction the said rods will be lowered.
The switchs5is connected with another of the said insulated wires of the cable, which forms the circuit, including the aforesaid two resistance coils.
By adjusting this switch the operator completes the circuit through the two resistance coils, and then, but not till then, the charge can be exploded, either by the operator, or by the action of the firing pin or rod when the same is driven in and cuts out the other resistance coils as above described. The resistance coilX1,Fig. 124, is connected to the binding screws 9, 10 by the wires 7 and 8. These binding screws are in metallic connection with the two springsX, but otherwise they are carefully insulated. One pole of the fuzeYis connected to the binding screw 10, the other put to earth through the body of the boat, as atE; the main wire 11 is connected to the binding screw 9. Now when the operator cuts out the resistance coil at the firing station, which is done by moving the switchs6, the electric current is sufficiently powerful to ignite the fuzeYthroughthe resistance coilX1, so that at any moment the torpedo may be exploded by the operator on shore, or by the contact between the torpedo and the attacked vessel the rodVwill be driven in, and, coming in contact with the springsX, will bridge over the space that originally existed between them and so cut out the resistance coilX1, and the torpedo will be exploded automatically.
Capabilities of the Lay Torpedo Boat.—The capabilities of the Lay torpedo boat are as follows:—