NEW FRENCH TORPEDO VESSEL.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 9, 8 September 1877, Page 3

NEW FRENCH TORPEDO VESSEL.

A remarkable; experiment, says the "Examiner" was carried out, a week ago, at Cherbourg, to test the effects of anew torpedo vessel, which had been designed and built for the 3?rench navy.. Its success was as great as its novelty, and its result, it is anticipated^ will lead to a serious alteration in naval tactics. This little .vessel, called the " Thorney- ' croft", is something like a cigar or a lizard, and it is so slightly exposed above the surface of the water as to be barely visible in daylight, and invisible at night. The' torpedo is placed in the bow .of the vessel, in such a way as to be ■ easily detached ; and the vessel itself is fitted up with two small sails,- and with a small engine, which is, however', sufficiently powerful to guarantee' a" speed o£ nineteen" jkiiots ; an hour, a speed ■greater, than jtya^of any vessel in the British nayy.^i/i'ne trial of this novel ye'ssel was conducted in the pre.-ence of a large number of French officers, and in as complete a manner as was possible, under any circttmstarnces short of- those attending a real battle. A- disabled ship wa-s chosen for dostru^tionY On a given signal both vessels were set in motion, with a distance of throe miles between them.Alieutenant, with' three men, piloted the torpedo boat, ssud a>tug conveyed the doomed ship. As the " Thorneycroft" calme up with its victim, the doubt amongst the spectators was^ not whether the/torpedo would fail in' its purpose^ but wether, in its sucess, it would not only destory its victim but the little vessel which had boriio it,^ , A cpliision between the two vessels soon, settled -the matter. . In a few minutes after the explosion of the torpedo- nothing was to be seen of the vessel which/ -had been attacked, while' tlie ; " Thorneycroft " Without difficulty; reversed her engines and joined the squadron. Here is a.hint and a warning for our Admii'alty.