Trial of a new Torpedo.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 6909, 7 June 1897, Page 3

Trial of a new Torpedo.

(Fkom Otauo Daily Times Ows CorkesVONDEST.) Auckland, June 4. A trial of a now torpedo took place in tho harbor in the presence of a largo number of interested spectators. Tho torpedo is the invention of Mr J. F. Perkins, Ponsonby, and is propelled and steered by electricity. A storage battery is in tho interior of the torpedo, and works a powerful electro-motor, which, with steering and other gear, is also enclosed. The trial took place alongside the ferry, and aa the model used had no storago cells, electricity was supplied from a dynamo on the p.s. Victoria by the Forry Company, the wires being paid out as the torpedo went along. Several tests were made, the course beipg altered each time. The inventor states that it will travel from 6ft to Bft below the surface, never becoming visible but rising and exploding at any given time. The steering gear can be set to any given course, and the weight of the instrument will only be about one-half of that of any other effective torpedo, thus enabling a doable number to bo carried. It is also claimed that the torpedo has a wider range than others. Among those present were some gentlemen from H.M.S. Miidura, who, it is understood, were favorably impressed with the principle of the invention. If it realises the claims of the inventor in actual practice the Perkins torpedo would have three advantages over other torpedoes—namely, a wider range, reduced weight (enabling doable the usual number to be carried), and no visible indication of the course.