If necessary, by liberating buoy B, while crossing the bow on the starboard side of the fore-foot of a vessel, the forward motion will draw the torpedo, T, close in to the opposite side; then, by a system of push-pins on the torpedo, the operator learns that it is in close contact and ready for explosion by electricity. Should the enemy’s vessel be at anchor the tide can be employed for the purpose of bringing the buoy on one side of the vessel while the torpedo is on the other. The boat is supplied with the ordinary incandescent lights, or apparatus for lighting the interior for night attacks. TORPEDOES. America has contributed to modern warfare many of its most valuable inventions. In the decade of 1850-60 the steam frigates of the _Merrimac_ class revolutionized the naval constructions of the world, and became the models for the war-ships of the great maritime powers. In the same period our coast defences reached the high-water mark of modern development, and, soon to be crystallized, there were seething in the brains of American inventors ideas of guns, ships, and projectiles which made history. Though to-day our created contributions to quick peace through arrested or irresistible war are meagre, still many of the theories which make possible modern ordnance and ships are the fruits of American genius and industry. Is the future to be as fertile in thought and deed? Are the destroyers of Ericsson, the dynamite safety shells of Hayes, the guns of Zalinski, the torpedoes of Howell, Sims, or Berdan, the turrets of Timby, the submarine monitors of Tuck, the gun-carriages of King or Buffington, the ordnance of Sicard, Benét—are these to prove that Yankee brain and brawn are potent yet for the mastery of the problem? The country has no plainer duty than to foster by every care American ideas working in national ways of thought. It is rich, public sentiment is ripe and responsive, and Congress should encourage in peace the experiments which may make war impossible. In the question of ship armament and sea-coast fortifications notably, the value of torpedoes is now so generally recognized that the definite selection of some type has attained an importance which demands most careful consideration. All experts agree that they are vital, but there is not that consensus of opinion which within limits affirms exactly what should be done.