TORPEDOES, 
177 
sible to fix a cbarge accurately in position in this way, unless 
with small torpedoes, in shallow water, and during fine weather. 
A second method has therefore been devised for use under 
ordinary circumstances ; and though it may seem at first sight 
more complicated than the other, it is found to be much 
I simpler in practice. This is the method of hauling down the 
I torpedo to an anchor already placed in position, and it is ac- 
; complished in this way. The wire rope is passed through the 
ring of the anchor, and it is then lowered to its place, the 
working party retaining both ends of the rope. The torpedo 
is then fastened to one end, and the distance at which it is to 
float up from its moorings being decided upon, a catch (the 
1 structure of which will be presently explained) is placed on the 
' rope at that number of feet or yards below it. The catch 
' (fig. 3) consists of two iron arms, a a, working on a common 
i pivot, and provided with shoulders, which close against each 
other at B, and prevent the arms opening any further than the 
' extent shown in the figure, and they are kept apart by a spring 
of vulcanised india-rubber, c c. Now, on hauling on the free 
end of the mooring-line, the torpedo will be pulled down ; and 
I as soon as the catch reaches the ring of the anchor it will be 
dragged through it, the spring giving way, and the arms being 
1 forced together. As soon as it has passed through the ring, 
the arms will be again opened out by the action of the spring, 
' and the working party will cease pulling and let go the spare 
* end of the rope. The torpedo will then be securely fixed in 
position, as the catch cannot be pulled back through the ring 
of the anchor, and its buoyancy will keep it steady and nearly 
vertically over its moorings. A single mooring-line will be suf- 
ficient, if there is no tide or current flowing faster than four or 
at most five knots an hour ; but if there is a strong current the 
torpedo will be forced away laterally from the vertical line in 
which it should float up from its moorings. If this took place 
to any great extent it would make it impossible to count with 
certainty on the effect. (See fig. 4.) Therefore, where there 
is a strong current or any rise of the tide, two anchors are used 
for each torpedo ; they are placed up and down stream, and so 
far apart as to prevent all risk of the cables twisting together. 
By adopting the hauling down plan the most difficult part of 
the work of placing a harbour in a state of defence, the fixing 
of the moorings, can be done leisurely and accurately in time 
of peace ; the anchors being lowered into position, with the 
ropes rove through their rings, and their ends buoyed at the 
surface. When it is necessary to moor the torpedoes, all that 
is required is to fasten them and their catches to the ropes and 
haul them down — a very simple operation when once the 
anchors are ready. 
VOL. XII. NO. XLVII. N 
