OUR DEFENCES, TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6382, 27 July 1882, Page 3

OUR DEFENCES, TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— As the Defence Department seem to be in a complete state of fog as to the description of torpedo most in use in the British Navy, and are under the impression that there is no Volunteer in New Zealand capable of giving them the desired information, and have therefore gone to the unnecessary expense of

wiring to Colonel Scratchley, I beg to inform them that there are four kinds of torpedo— tho "drifting," the "towing," the "locomotive," and tho " spar." By drifting or floating torpedoes aro meant all those submarine machine.-) which are dependent ou tho tido or current of tho stream for their action or motion. Theso torpedoes might be advantageously used for tho destruction of pontoon bridges, booms, &c. Towing torpedoes are submarine machines which tire so shaped and arranged that when towed from a ship or boat in motion they will divergo to a considerable extent, thus enabling the towing vessel to pass clear of the ship attacked, and yet near enough to allow of tho torpedo buing brought in contact with somo part or other of her hull. 13y locomotive torpedoes arc meant thoaa that possess within themselves tlie power to move, through tho water when once started in a givon. direction. Of this specios of submarine weapon tho moat elHeient, and theonesmoatgoiißrally used, aro tho Whitohcad fish torpedo and the Lay torpedo. Tlio Whitehead fish torpedo is eapablo of propolliny itself at the rato of 2Q_ knots an hour ; but of the four, the spar torpedo is by far the most olfective and useful. Of all the torpedo-boats at present in use by moat of the European nations, tho Thornicroft and Yarrow aro most' in favour. The size of the Thornicroft is Sift long overall, 10ft lOin beam, and draws about iive feet of water. The machinery is capable of indicating 350----horse power. The steoring gear is arranged so that the vessel may be steered from the deck or from the conning- tower, and the usual telegraph gear is fitted to communicate from the deck or from tho conning-towcr to the engine-room, They are armed with fish as well as spar torpedoes. The iish torpedoes are charged with air, by means of one of Brotherhood's aircompressing pumps. The Thornicroft torpedoboat attains a speed of from 19 to 21£ knots an hour.

The Defence Department also seem in a state of fog us to who are to instruct the Volunteers in the use of the big guns they purpose removing out of the mud at Mussel Bay and elsewhere shortly and getting mounted. Your special correspondent informs us that there are several men in the Armed Constabulary who possess some knowledge of artillery practice, and that theso men will be specially " coached " in order that they may servo as drill-instructors to the corps winch are to be formed for working the batteries. I should like to know, Mr Editor, what the naval brigades and some of tho batteries of artillery have been doing since the last scare, when the big guns were ordered, but drilling at tho drill required for these very guns ; and I can assure you, Mr Editor, that there are many Volunteers in Dunedin capablo of coaching some of these would-be Armed Constabulary instructors.

I cannot conclude without referring to Major-general Davidson and the reorganisation of the Volunteer force. Surely the valuable production of the Commission of wiseacres and fossils appointed by the Government should contain sufficient information to help them out of their dilemma as to what means of defence is to be used, and how the men to use it aro to be trained, should the occasion arise, without having recourse to cablegrams and Colonel Scratchley. Any information contained in this letter tho Defence Office is wel- ! come to gratis; if any more is wanted, it oan be had by telegraphing to yours, &c, COACHER, Dunedin, July 25th.