AERIAL TORPEDOES.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9113, 6 July 1898, Page 2

AERIAL TORPEDOES.

Probably the most revolutionary proposals in the way of new warlike inventions ar» those of Mr Hiram Maxim, who has devised a new system of hurling projectiles. Mr Maxim's " aerial torpedoes" are designed to carry large quantities of high ex> plosive. The largest carry one ton of gun-cotton, and have a range of five miles. Striking the water anywhere within a radius of 250 ft of a battleship, it would render her instantly hort de combat. Smaller torpedoes carry half a ton and lees of picric acid, gun-cotton, nitro-glycerine, etc., and have ranges up to nine miles. The special form of gun for throwing these projectiles is of immense calibre, and has been tried satisfactorily in the United States. The Maxim aerial torpedo depends for its action on a special kind of fuse, which either acts instantaneously on striking a solid target or else on striking the water. Unless this fuse waa actually hit in an engagement the torpedo could not burst, and do damage to those firing it For l,ooo,oOodol—the cost of a first clats battleship—Mr Maxim says that he can construct ten torpedo cruisers, costing 100,000dol each, carrying one er moire 24in torpedo gone and two torpede mortars. Jhe cruiser would talc* up a position just out of reach of the gups of an ironclad, rad from tfcia

safe spot would hurl her giant shells into the midst of the enemy. Another invention to which attention is now being paid in New Yoik is an aerial torpedo, on the rocket principle. The idea has been worked out by RearAdmiral Howell, who claims that hie weapon can send a 3001b rocket, contaimng 1001b of guncotton, whizzing through the air neatly two miles. A rapid rotary motion imparted to the projectile ensures its direction, and renders its aim as exact as that of a rifle bullet.