MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 97 



This vessel, called the Stromboli, lies very low in the water, and 

 when in service as a torpedo boat, is further submerged by filling 

 water-tight tanks, which bring her down so that scarcely any part of 

 her deck is above the surface of the water. The only objects visible 

 above the deck are the pilot-house, 138 inches in height, the smoke-stack, 

 which is only a trille higher, and a small ventilator which can be removed 

 if desired. With such a small surface exposed, the risk of being met 

 by the enemy is greatly reduced. 



The general appearance of this craft is peculiar. Descending 

 through a small hatchway, which is closed while the vessel is underway 

 or in action, the visitor may see some curious appliances. Abaft the 

 midships is the engine, which has a cylinder 18 inches in diameter and 

 18 inches stroke, a compact yet powerful affair, working the screw at 

 an average rate of 50 revolutions a minute, or about ten miles an hour. 

 The boiler, situated forward, is built of extra strength, to carry a very 

 high pressure of steam. The steering apparatus is directly under- 

 neath the little pilot-house, and so close to the commanding officer 

 that he can give the helmsman his orders without the use of a bell, 

 which might attract the enemy's attention. In the bow of the vessel 

 is the torpedo machine, which, for obvious reasons, cannot now be 

 fully described. Yet we are permitted to indicate the general plan 

 of operation in order to give an idea of the invention. 



The crew of the vessel consists of three engineer officers, one pilot 

 and nine firemen and coal-heavers, a force abundantly able to do 

 all the work required of them. When a vessel is to be destroyed the 

 torpedo craft steams boldly out, and, as she approaches her victim, 

 she is settled in the water so as to present but little surface to the 

 shot which may be directed at her. Nearing the doomed vessel, a 

 torpedo, charged with from 60 to 200 pounds of powder, is placed in 

 a "torpedo basket, 1 ' which is attached to a long arm running through 

 a stuffing-box. This basket is now inside of a water-tight box, with 

 a Hd or cover, which is opened when the torpedo is placed in position. 

 This having been done, the cover is screwed down, the gate at the bow 

 of the vessel is opened and the arm is run out for a distance of about 

 SO feet. The vessel now rapidly approaches her intended victim, and 

 passing close alongside, the torpedo is detached from the basket, the 

 arm is withdrawn, and at the instant desired the charge explodes, 

 causing the instant destruction of the vessel. The torpedo vessel 

 receives none of the shock. 



The method of constructing the torpedo is a secret. It is sufficient, 

 however, to know that this is not one of the many experiments which 

 have failed to produce valuable results. In no instance has this inven- 

 tion been found deficient in power or quickness of execution. New 

 York Evening Post. 



It is understood that some dozen or more of these vessels have been 

 constructed for the U. S. Navy ; and their value has been practically 

 tested in at least one instance ; viz : the blowing up of the Confederate 

 iron-clad ram Albemarlc, by Lieut. Gushing ; the rani being at the 

 time moored to a wharf, at Plymouth, N. C. 



Report of the Bureau <>/' I\'nr<il Ordnance. From a recent Report 

 of the U. S. Bureau of Naval Ordnance we derive the following 

 memoranda of interest: For broadside guns in the American 

 9 



