THE TORPEDO BOAT PROBLEM.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 790, 18 March 1871, Page 2

THE TORPEDO BOAT PROBLEM.

The " Army and Navy Journal" thinks that the problem of a torpedo boat, capable of firing rapidly and with certainty, has been satisfactorily solved. It says : —" A torpedo boat has been completed, which is proved by experience to be faultless in machinery and arrangement. On the 2ad of December, Secretary .Robeson, Vice-Admiral Porter, and Commodon Case, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance went to the Navy Yard at Washing, ton, to witness the experiment with this new eugine of destruction. After examining the workings of thj machinery, and the manner of firing one of the destructives was put in a frame, and the party went ashore to witness the result. A torpedo of only thirty-six pounds was first run out with rapidity and fired; but the result showed that this small amount of powder even would have been su§ cient to destroy any ship, by lifting her out of the water and breaking hot back, even if her bottom were not en' tirely knocked out. Mud andwaterweri thrown up, and the concussion wsaHj felt far in the Navy Yard, the grounl being shaken by the shock of thl powder against the bed of the riverl The concussion felt on board the tori pedo boat was not more than thai caused by a wave striking a vessel I sea. Several torpedoes were firel from the vessel, the explosion of whicl the party witnessed on board, as thefl desired to ascertain for themsehel the effect of the shock. The result jfl stated to be satisfactory, and no changl is contemplated in the inachinerjM which is very simple, and 'works toS charm.' The torpedo vessel is til Niua, a very strong iron boat of 3<<| tons burden, capable of crossing ti| ocean, and having a speed of knots an hour. She is not to heavy shot, but can be made :| and is capable of resisting any ordinal projectile that could be bear on her from the decks of a ship I war. Her decks will be made and shot-proof, now that it is that the torpedo system is a Such a vessel as the Nina, an enemy's squadron on our coil some dark night, or entering el enemy's port, could destroy half t| shipping in the harbor 1 , and ea?| escape, as few vessels could her. She could, for instance, entl the harbor of Havana, and could I stroy every vessel of war in under cover of darkness. A supplied with such boats, to be u;| after the fight began, and the s!>l were enveloped in smoke, would ha| a most decided advantage against enerm not thus armed for warl'ar - is> reported that our t'l podo consist of toen^H vessels, none of which will speed than twelve knots, while swiftest will steam seventeen knot|