A NEW MARINE MONSTER.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5301, 7 February 1879, Page 3

A NEW MARINE MONSTER.

Anew- "marine monster" is in process; of construction on the shores of Oommunipaw, near Pamrapo, in the United States, which, it is asserted, will completely revolutionise naval warfare. Before it the navies of the world are, expected to disappear " as leaves before an: autumn breeze." This sea demon is built of iron, and is 21 feet 6 inches in length, 15 inches in diameter, and nearly 4 feet in circumference at its largest part amidships. From this point it tapers down to the bow, which is shaped exactly like the sharp end of a cigar. At the bow, screwed in, is the torpedo, with a brass cap a^the end. It is charged with 1001 b of dynamite, equal to 6001 b of "giant powder,?-, or enough force to whirl into the air in fragments the largest ship afloat, or in fact, it is said, a whole fleet: Aft of this torpedo is the cylinder which contains the motive power of gas. This is generated in a machine ashore and - charged in the cylinder. Amidships is , .the' engine, and aft of that is the steering apparatus. The craft has a centre spring rudder, aft of which is a twobladed propeller on a hollow shaft, in •which are contained the wire? which the craft is manned, sailed, ste*. red, and fought from shore. While gas is the motive power, electricity from shore • works the valves, starts the machinery, „and does the steering. There are two batteries aboard — one for the motiye power and one for the steering apparatus. All the apparatus is in air-tight compartments except the engine, which is flooded , constantly by holes through the ship, for otherwise, so intense is the cold gene-