i88o.] 
Submarine War . 
175 
inferior to what was expected of it by its suicidal inventor, 
who, fortunately for humanity, survived his self-infli6ted 
wound long enough to confess his futile machination. This 
machine of Thomas was not unique, for similar engines 
were in existence, indeed a model of one was obtained in Paris 
a month before by the gentleman whose knowledge of coal- 
shells was so intimate, and who by this time has probably 
perfected with greater accuracy such inartistic inventions. 
The dynamite in this apparatus was to have been exploded 
by the concussion of a hammer 30 lbs. weight, set, like an 
alarum, to fall after a given period- -a devilish alarum indeed. 
We now come to the latest epoch of torpedo warfare, 
viz., that inaugurated by that nearly fatal fiasco , when 
H.M.S. Shah aimed the first Whitehead torpedo which had 
ever been fired in earnest against the Peruvian iron-clad 
Huascar , since captured by the Chilians. The attempt was 
a failure, owing to the latter vessel (fortunately for both 
parties) altering her course at the instant of discharge. 
This occurred in May, 1877, and on December 20th, of the 
same year, “ the Russians made an attack with Whitehead 
torpedoes on an Ottoman squadron lying in the harbour of 
Batcum ; but owing to a want of practical knowledge of 
the manipulation of such weapons, no vessels were sunk or 
damaged, but two fish torpedoes — one in perfect condition— 
were found the next morning high and dry, on the beach at 
that place.” Thus the Turkish Government managed to 
get the Whitehead secret and torpedo without payment.* 
The third and last, and only occasion on which a fish tor- 
pedo has been fired successfully against an enemy’s ship in 
actual warfare was on January 26th, 1878, when the Russian 
steamer Constantine fired a Whitehead against a Turkish 
guard-ship, and completely destroyed her. 
From the foregoing we may safely conclude that at pre- 
sent offensive torpedo warfare is most uncertain, the odds 
being in favour of the defence. But at the same time 
offensive torpedo operations have hardly yet had their fair 
trial ; the art of torpedo attack is still in its infancy, but its 
age of puberty is not far distant, and we see the tendency 
in the numerous newly-invented torpedo-boats, which are 
ever on the increase, in size, in power, and in speed. 
Owing to Commander Sleeman’s absence from England, 
in China and Japan, where he is attempting to induce the 
Orientals to purchase Capt. McEvoy’s lately improved 
duplex spar-torpedoes, and other patented auxiliaries of 
* A lost Whitehead torpedo is advertised for by Capt. Singer, of H.M.S. 
Hecla , since February 5th ; an offer of £5 being made for its recovery. 
