Poxp.— Notes on the firing of Torpedoes by Electricity. 169 
and to effectually prepare for the defence, it would only necessitate fixing 
the anchors or blocks of stone to hold the torpedoes in place, together with 
a rope reeved through the ring and buoyed, so that in time of danger the 
torpedo could be attached to its electrical connections, and hauled down 
into its place. 
There are many details which it would be the duty of the company to 
learn and understand so thoroughly that when needed everything would be 
in position and free from any fatal hurry. One actual necessity for the 
completion of this scheme would be, in times of actual danger, the closing 
of the port between sunset and sunrise, and the establishment of a pilot force 
for reconnaissance before permitting any vessel to enter. Without this the 
whole plan would be valueless. The closing the Bean Rock lighthouse, and 
removal of buoys and beacons, would also be advisable. 
With respect to the sunken torpedoes, I would have them made in the 
simplest manner, very similar but much smaller than the iron buoys which 
mark our coast. The connections would require to be severely tested, and 
the charge would be of dynamite or lithofracteur, fired by fulminate of 
mercury. If of dynamite, which would be preferable on account of less 
danger to the charge from leakage, the cartridge would not need to be more 
than 50lbs., equal to an explosive force of 800lbs. of powder. I think it 
would be found more economical to increase the number of torpedoes than 
the weight of the charges. Dynamite is a material of commerce now, and 
generally obtainable; but if in case of danger it was found necessary to 
make it, we have material in the city to make several hundred pounds of 
nitro-glycerine, and the men to undertake its manufacture, while infusorial 
earth is obtainable at the distance of a few miles from the city. Fulminate 
of mercury also could be prepared in a few hours when required. 
I have thus shown that the work of defending our port can be done 
at any moment, and if it were carried out as I have suggested by a volunteer 
torpedo company it would be but a small expense to the Government, and 
could go on in fine weather and at leisure; and when it was known that 
defence became a necessity the completion of the work could be carried out 
systematically and orderly long before there was any actual need of it, 
as with the telegraphic communication with Europe we should be in 
possession of the news in a few hours, while several weeks would elapse 
before an enemy could put in an appearance. I have now completed my 
remarks upon the subject of defence by torpedoes, but with your permission 
will say a few words upon the probability of landing being effected. 
I do not anticipate any danger from this, as it is unlikely so large a 
squadron would be despatched to such a distance as to enable them to land 
a sufficient body of men to prove a source of real danger; but, presuming 
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