THE ELECTRIC BOAT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 102, 23 January 1918, Page 4

THE ELECTRIC BOAT

WHAT AN AMERICAN VESSEL DID IN 1914. The "electrically-controlled high-speed boat" recently used by the enemy off llio Flanders coast may have necn similar to a vessel invented by Mr. John Hays Hammond, son of the famous mining engineer, which was tried in American waters early in 1914 (states tho "Daily Mail")- This vessel was worked by wireless electricity, and was designed to carry a largo explosive charge. It was, in fact, a torpedo which could bo controlled from the shore, resembling in this the old Brennan torpedo, which was employed in the British coast defences twenty years ago, and was steered and driven by thin wires running over drums : n the torpedo and actuating the screws when the wires were wound, in by an engine ashore.

Mr._ Hammond's electric boat, tl>o "Radio," was a slim, raking craft, 40ft. long, with 180-borse-power engines, and a guaranteed speed of 33 sea miles an hour, and was fitted with the latest radio-dynamic apparatus. This is tho boat that, sometimes without a soul on board, may bo seen by day and night dashing about Gloucester Bay (Massachusetts), zig-zagging in and out among the shipping, rocks, and buoys, turning to port and starboard, now going full speed ahead and row at half speed, now backing and stopping—and all in obedience to a. man on shore anywhero from a mile to six miles awav, who touched a kev.

"Mr. Hammond invited the chief of the United States Coast .Artilk-ry and. another expert officer to inspect Us invention in operation. Together they saw the boat headed for a definite mark a milo away, two miles, three miles away, and strike it with precision every time."