of Danger in Torpedo Experiments. 81 



unsuspected. I have not before seen attention called to this 

 danger ; but I consider it so great that any officer in charge 

 of an ironclad who would allow of experiments being made 

 from on board with charges in zinc cases would incur a very 

 heavy responsibility. 



I do not concur in the blame that in some quarters has 

 been thrown on the officer conducting the Queenscliff 

 experiments for using a zinc case for the charge ; and, in 

 simple justice to that gentleman, I may state that every 

 person of any knowledge of electricity to whom I have 

 spoken on the subject, including some of considerable expe- 

 rience in torpedo experiments, has candidly admitted that 

 he would not have suspected danger from the iron, zinc, and 

 sea- water combination. 



But if it would not have occurred to any of those elec- 

 tricians, it may escape the notice of other gentlemen con- 

 ducting similar experiments at home or elsewhere. It is for 

 that reason I am desirous that the power of the sea-cell 

 current, under certain circumstances, should be properly re- 

 cognised. I may have over-estimated the danger, and some of 

 the constants I have used may require correction. That of 

 the firing current, for instance, may be too low; but if there 

 be danger at all, its presence should be known and guarded 

 against. It is better in torpedo operations to keep well on 

 the safe side than, by misplaced confidence, to endanger, 

 and perhaps sacrifice, valuable human lives. 



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