1882 Submarines, Torpedoes, Mines Fulton Navy History

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1882 Submarines, Torpedoes, Mines Fulton Navy History Description “Torpedoes and Torpedo Boats“ by Allan D. Brown An original 12 page ( 5 double-sided) article carefully removed from a June, 1882 edition of Harper's New Monthly Magazine. In this rare and authentic 127 year-old historical article, author Allan Brown examines the history and development of a weapon system, generically known at the time as a “torpedo,” which evolved into the naval weapons known today as “mines,” “submarines,” and the self-propelled “torpedo.” With 12 pages of text and 12 illustrations, Brown begins with David Bushnell and his “Turtle,” and follows the developments in submarine warfare, through Fulton’s “Nautilus,” the development of the electronic fuse which was responsible for the destruction of shipping in the Civil War, and ends just about the period when Whitehead of England was developing the first true self-propelled, tubular shaped “torpedo.” The contact-fused spiked ball mine so familiar to those who watch the submarine films of WWI and WWII had yet to be invented, as well as the manned submersible vessel, but the genesis of all these weapons were the “Turtle,” the “Nautilus,” and the lager beer barrels filled with gunpowder that were floated down the rivers to blow up enemy shipping in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. This is a fascinating period piece, written at a time when the use of these weapons was still controversial – some considered it too “sneaky” or “ungentlemanly.” Excerpts: “In 1842, Samuel Colt, best known to the world as the inventor of the revolver, brought to the government his scheme for torpedo warfare. He first employed electricity as an igniting agent, and by this means destroyed a schooner at anchor in the Potomac, while five miles distant from her: later he destroyed a vessel under way, a few minutes after abandonment by her crew…he received no encouragement, the general sentiment of both the military and naval authorities being averse to this mode of warfare…” *“The cruising vessels of our own and of several other navies are provided with spars which project some forty feet from the side, and carry torpedoes containing about a hundred pounds of explosive. It remains to be shown in practice whether this plan will prove of utility in action…” *“Of the first [self-propelled], the most successful, and in fact the only one ever practically perfected, is the celebrated Whitehead…its motive power is compressed air, contained in one of the many compartments into which it is divided…It is launched from either a gun or tube by means of compressed air, or it may be started by hand. Tubes for firing it …have been fitted to many foreign vessels, and the inventor has reaped a great harvest, nearly every European government having purchased the secret at a heavy price. Our own government, however, has not yet deemed it advisable…It is believed to be, on the whole, too complicated and costly...” Page size : Approx 7" x 9" 12 Illustrations List of Illustrations, Maps, or Diagrams Bushnell's Torpedo Boat *Fulton's Torpedo and Gun *Frame and Pile Torpedoes *Barrel Torpedo *Floating Spar Torpedo and Devil Circumventor *Confederate David *Section of Torpedo used by Cushing *Boat used by Lieutenant Cushing *The Herreschoff Boiler *The "Lightning" *Lay Torpedo Boat *Effect of 654 pounds of Gunpowder on a Target (The bottom of an Iron-Clad) at a distance of 23.5 feet CONDITION: 127 years old, guaranteed original, yellowed from age. I do not trim the binding edge. T will be staple holes, and may be very minor tearing and/or wrinkling along the binding edge. These defects will not in any way interfere with framing, and you may trim as desired. CLICK ON MY STORE LINK TO VIEW OTHER GREAT VINTAGE HISTORICAL ARTICLES AND ITEMS FOR SALE. Thanks for Looking. Payment Per eBay policy, only electronic forms of payment are acceptable. I accept Paypal. I will invoice the winning bidder within 36 hours. Payment is expected within 10 days of invoice. Shipping Shipping to the US is $2.00 Canada... read more

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