US43199A - Improvement in method of - Google Patents

Description

,J. ,D. HALL.

Applying Marine Torpedoes.

N0. 43.199; Patnted June 21, 1864..

fliweul at" Jenn n. HALL, oninfl ential; riinn-s-v-nvamAZ i IMPROVEMENT IN METHOD OF APPLYING TORPEDOES FOR HARBOR DEFENSE Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 43, 199, dated June 21; 1864.

Figure 1 is a plan View of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same at right angles to the direction of the channel;

, Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures. 4

This invention consists in the employment of a system of pipes placed on or underneath the bed of the channel leading to the harbor, and one end of each of which is connected with a pump or pumps, or other suitable forcing apparatus, placed within a suitable fortification on shore, or at any suitable distance therefrom, and the other, endsof which are arranged at suitable intervals in the width of the channel, the said pipes serving: as conductors, through which to force torpedoes by the pump or pumps, or, other forcing apparatus, and, deliver the same under the bottoms of enemies vessels attempting to pass through ,the channel over the said pipes, and the -tor-- pedoes being so constructed that, by their buoyancy, they will, on being delivered from the said pipes, be caused to strike the bottoms of the vessels passing over them, and, being so provided with percussion apparatus, that they may be so exploded on so striking.

To enable others to construct my invention and apply the same to use, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the drawings.

In carrying out my invention, I would permaiently obstructthe channel, except sufficient space for the passage of vessels-say, from two hundred to three hundred feet, or more-with atone, pile-work, or other suitable structures A, an d upon the shore or upon these obstrucions, on one side of the channel, I erect the fort, B, which may consist of an iron turret or tower of suitable size, or be otherwise constructed, to give itthe necessary impregna bility; and in this fort I place the pump or pumps 0, and an engine or engines for workof the requisite length.

ing them. The pipes D D, connected with the said pump or pumps for the passage ofthe torpedoes, may be of cast-iron, made in suitable sections bolted together to-make them They are arranged side by side, and their number and lengths should be such that their-lower termini, (in or on the bed of the channel,) which are open, will be at such intervals.say,twenty or thirty feet between the solid obstructions A A, that no vessel of considerable size could pass between vertical lines erected at the said termini.- In, the upper part of e'achof the said pipes within the fort B there is'a suitable opening, a, for the introduction of the torpedoes d (I, which are of a size and form to pass freely through the said pipes, and the said openings are provided with water-tight gates b b, of any suitable construction, by which to close them after the insertion of the torpedoes, which may be placed close'together or at short distances apart, with blocks of wood or other material between them. The said pipes may also be fitted with pistons inserted behind the torpedoes one or more pistons in each pipe for the water injected from the pump to act upon, for the purpose of driving out the terpedoes. One pump may serve for several pipes.

The torpedoes, which have buoyancy enough to rise rapidly in the water-when expelled and liberated from the lower terminiof the pipes, should be so hallasted that the side on which the percussion apparatus is arranged will come uppermost on their liberation. The pipes-may be at all times kept loaded in readiness for the approach of an enemys vessels; and on the vessels attempting to pass over the pipes, the engine and the pump or pumps belonging to those of the pipes whose lower termini are about in the proper positions,"

according to the estimated distance from the fort of the passing vessels, or all the pumps at once, in case of several vessels attci ipting to pass simultaneously, are set in opei-ation, and water obtained from the channel is forced into the pipes at their upper ends and caused to drive out the torpedoes, some of which will not fail to strike, and by their explosion de-- stroy the vessels.

Lighthouses E E may be erected upon the structures A A to indicate the channel to in the width of the bed of the channelofa friendly vessels. I harbor, substantially as and" f0]: thepurpqse What I claim as my invention and desire to herein set forth. Y i 1 secure by Letteyslatent, is- JOHN D. HALL.-

The. wii-hin-described system of pipes and \Vibnesses: pumps,'br other forcing apparatus applied for DAVID BEITLER, the discharge of tqrpedoes at one or more points WILLIAM DELANY.

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