Pond. — Notes on the firing of Torpedoes hy 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 v.'ith 

 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 Eock 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 m;ich smaller than the iron buoys which 

 mark our coast. The connections would requhe 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 501bs., equal to an explosive force of SOOlbs. 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 requh-ed. 



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 

 systematicaUy 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, bixt 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 laud 

 a sufficient body of men to prove a source of real danger ; but, presuming 



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