Brennan 
torpedo. 
Torpedo- 
vessels. 
XXXVl. New Zealand Institute. 
vided with a dise for day and with a small oil-lamp for night. It 
is claimed for this torpedo that it is controllable to a distance of 
upwards of 2,500 yards. I understand that the Russian Government 
possess several of these weapons. Different accounts, however, are 
given as to the performances of this torpedo, and further information 
about it is required before it can be pronounced a success. 
The Brennan torpedo, called after the inventor, Mr. Brennan, 
of Melbourne, appears to be a much simpler weapon. It is about 
20ft. long with a maximum diameter of about 20in. In the body 
of the torpedo are placed two drums round which is wound a fine 
wire, and the drums are connected with the shaft of the screw 
propellers attached to the stern. On the wire on the drums inside 
the torpedo being unwound, the screw-shaft revolves and the torpedo 
moves ahead. Steering is effected by increasing or decreasing the 
velocity with which the wire on either drum is unwound. There is 
an apparatus within the torpedo by means of which it assumes and 
retains the level below water at which it is required to move. ‘The 
arrangement for guiding the weapon is somewhat similar in principle 
to that used in the Lay. In this case, however, there is only one rod 
and dise attached to the top of the torpedo, which is painted red on 
the side towards the operator. When used at night, a funnel, which 
appears above water, and emits luminous chemical fumes, takes the 
place of the painted dise. The trials of this torpedo in the River 
Medway, in 1882, showed that it was effective at a range of 2,000 
yards, and were deemed so successful that the Imperial Govern- 
ment bought the patent of it. 
Inow wish to draw your attention to torpedo-vessels, which are now 
regarded by naval nations as of great importance in maritime warfare. 
Steam-launches, or other craft not specially constructed for the 
purpose, may be fitted with outrigger-spars, at the end of which tor- 
pedoes may be placed, and directed against the side of an enemy’s ship. 
Speed, however, being a great element in the success of torpedo- 
vessels, they are now constructed so as to steam with great rapidity, 
and to carry Whitehead torpedoes, which, as I have already stated, may 
be propelled against a ship at a distance of several hundred yards. As 
you are no doubt aware, some of these vessels of the second class 
Lave lately been provided, on the recommendation of Major-General 
Seratchley, to take part in the defence of your principal ports. These 
measure 63ft. long with a beam of 7ft. 6in., will go about seventeen 
knots per hour, and oue of them has been fitted with gear for the 
Whitehead torpedo. 
Torpedo-boats have, however, been constructed of much print 
size and speed, and with sea-going qualities, 
