Submarine Warfare, Past, Present, and FutureFyfe, Herbert C.
History
Submarine Warfare, Past, Present, and Future
Fyfe, Herbert C.
Submarine warfare
_Description of a Magazine and its Appendages designed to be conveyed
by the Submarine Vessel to the bottom of a Ship._
In the forepart of the brim of the crown of the submarine vessel was
a socket, and an iron tube passing through the socket; the tube
stood upright, and could slide up and down in the socket 6 inches.
At the top of the tube was a wood screw (A), fixed by means of a
rod, which passed through the tube, and screwed the wood screw fast
upon the top of the tube; by pushing the wood screw up against the
bottom of the ship and turning it at the same time it would enter
the planks; driving would also answer the same purpose. When the
wood screw was firmly fixed it could be cast off by unscrewing the
rod, which fastened it upon the top of the tube.
Behind the submarine vessel was a place above the rudder for
carrying a large powder magazine. This was made of two pieces of oak
timber, large enough when hollowed out to contain 150 lbs. of
powder, with the apparatus used in firing it, and was secured in its
place by a screw turned by the operator. A strong piece of rope
extended from the magazine to the wood screw (A) above mentioned,
and was fastened to both. When the wood screw was fixed, and to be
cast off from its tube, the magazine was to be cast off likewise by
unscrewing it, leaving it hanging to the wood screw; it was lighter
than the water, that it might rise up against the object to which
the wood screw and itself were fastened.
Within the magazine was an apparatus constructed to run any proposed
length of time under twelve hours; when it had run out its time it
unpinioned a strong lock resembling a gunlock, which gave fire to
the powder. This apparatus was so pinioned that it could not
possibly move till, by casting off the magazine from the vessel, it
was set in motion.
The skilful operator could swim so low on the surface of the water
as to approach very near a ship in the night without fear of being
discovered, and might, if he chose, approach the stem or stern above
water with very little danger. He could sink very quickly, keep at
any depth he pleased, and row a great distance in any direction he
desired without coming to the surface, and when he rose to the
surface he could soon obtain a fresh supply of air. If necessary he
might descend again and pursue his course.
_Experiments made to prove the nature and use of a Submarine Vessel._
The first experiment I made was with about two ounces of gunpowder,
which I exploded 4 feet under water, to prove to some of the first
personages in Connecticut that powder would take fire under water.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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