WAR BALLOONS, AIR TORPE DOES, AND BOMBSHELLS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 216, 20 August 1887, Page 8

WAR BALLOONS, AIR TORPE DOES, AND BOMBSHELLS.

By Mn Henry Cowvki.l, tn hie " Tall Mall Gazette."

If there is one branch of modern strategy which is likely to be watched with keen interest dux-ins; the next continental war, it will be that ot military balliusoning. For some time we have heard of such wonderful preparations in this line- on the other side of the Channel that the people, both at home and abroad, will, be mo*ed by anxious expectancy to take note whether the steering gas ba^s and air toipedot-s revolutionise warfare by developing a mewe easy way of striking hostile forces from a vertical position, in which they ar© so frequently valnerablo. The aims of those who would merely employ balloons to see what id going on behind tho'hills, and how their opponents are disposed, are not sniTJcient. to satisfy the ambition of foreign engineers. A Frenchman has supplied the Russians with an air torpedo that can be directed, so we avo told, with \hv accuracy of a submarine machine. It is to take up 8 cwt of dynamite-, which can bo discharged on tho heads and on the magazines and fortresses of their foes, so as to make short work with them by blowing them sky high without subjecting the attacking party to risk, owing to the remarkable guiding power of their aerial cruiser, which is. to strike and glide away with marvellous rapidity either as it emergesfrom the clouds, or 1 ings unseen above tho smoke ot battle, to letl'all its destructive cargo when least expected. All this sounds awfully terrific and smart in theory, but tho question is, can it be done with the tact and certainty which we are asked to believe'? From an aeostatio standpoint such an enterprise would entirely depend upon aorial navigation having been solved. Certain inventors avow,°and perhaps imagine, that this consummation has been settled already by thoso preliminary cantors near Paris of which wo heard so much two years since. Now, it is not for me or any other practical man to say that the pretensions put forth regarding " tho conquest of the air " aro visionary ; but this I do say that the alleged moveraonta of the cigar-shaped aerostats do not warrant us in supposing that steering and propelling have been satisfactorily demonstrated. Had they been established, how is it that so magnificent an achievement has not been forthwith applied to the more noble and remunerative arts of peace and commerce, instead of being shelved for the horrors of I war ? The moment air ships can be directed the probability is they will be seized upon immediately to bring about reaultsfar more creditable than theannihilation of our fellow creatures. Secondly. -A bombardment from above might, and possibly would, involve a congest in the air. If these agents are avail-

ablest- attack «h>f iftay be'cotifetVdrtted'iiif defene&te objects, for retaliation, and for"rs* q prisals. #ne mgfmnop'dhv/n Wce'a 1 dawk,but anot&w may riser up like a- rocket an^l bring dovittl its adversary like" the sticks And how a&ftffr the 1 latest ai-ms of pfo<3ifei6tij chain-shot asd 1 shrapnel? A ga^iriflated observatory can" often ne kept welt in' the rear in a more*, secure captive state? but iF these flying torpedoes at© going in for close quarters, as iheyittust to spot their victims, _ tho hazards will &o so gimi that preaaed men, rather than Volunteers, will have? to be forced into the empyrean* ; and, so far as my expei'ience goes among olfice^ f soldiers and civilian^. I iier^ir yet noticed any exuberant bellicc»pe"tencUacy or display of pugnacity while &Xplbvin% in mid-air^ In the yeav 1849 I ascended! frs?n Hamburg* , eJuring tho Schlcswig-itolst'diW war, when j tre were drifted far away on a btfiezy cloudy ' day. In descending \W were- taken for Danish spies, and as wb * appMSwehed the sronnd a volley was discharged, lovttmately »»?'tis, into the body of tliß'ballooHV instead <rf into us who were in the $&t'. I-fsquested nuy companions to sing otfC : in tliair*own lo=ol vernacular that we werß friWtift* from Hanambm-g. There was a saltier ofibser on my vight hand, but whether" he' ■\*tiß<innute' fmsiw military etiquette I coulA riot'^say, as a leaarned doctor of physic becmnc'spui'feesmarr r and by his &clf-posaession soon hvoidght our assailants in closo pro>im r sty ; and £ do recollect that if dangerJ'h'act'aoisweci fear had not been absent. Respecting the bold but risky' atfcbrropfc to employ a militaiy balloon nt the ftrfyim fighc \<tjksti it blew hard, I will ventuTe't.o state that ifc was not altogether unattended with 3®rcie useful lessons. In ihfe f 'lli»^ place, io is clear, as I have always comtondecf, t&iafc captive balloons ean«oi f Uhj used zot safety daring a stiff breeze*. Secondl!y- r they cannot well compete ■rtdfc'Hi winged messengers under such unfti-four-able comlitjons ; bnt they Lave this actvasiv tnge oveT pigeons and cyclists ,that fcHeiir view is nw)i'e extended, and that tsignallmss: can be lnranaged from the balloon car:" Jl might add inxieh more, but will not rfOACtr trespass lfiasther on your bpace.