Machinery to let it rise to the surface in a given time,
rope, cork-box, anchor, and weights 20.00
------
Total $84.00
In page 22, I have given an estimate for a clockwork and harpooning
Torpedo.
The Torpedo will cost $150.00
Each boat, armed complete 336.00
_Estimate for an Establishment in our most important and vulnerable
Ports._
| | Anchored | Clockwork
| Boats | Torpedoes | Torpedoes
+-------+-----------+----------
Boston, | 150 | 300 | 300
New-York, | 150 | 300 | 300
In the Delaware, | 50 | 200 | 100
Chesapeake, | 100 | 200 | 200
Charleston, | 100 | 200 | 200
New-Orleans, | 100 | 200 | 200
+-------+-----------+----------
Total, | 650 | 1400 | 1300
650 boats, at three hundred and
thirty-six dollars each 218,400 dolls.
1400 anchoring Torpedoes, eighty-four
dollars each 117,600
1300 clockwork Torpedoes, one hundred
and fifty dollars each 195,000
--------------
Total 531,000 dolls.
Having mentioned the ports in which it is most probable the enemy
would attempt to make an impression, calculations can be made for a
like mode of defending other situations--a _minutiae_, which I am not
prepared to enter into, nor is it necessary in the present state of
this disquisition. I have shewn a strong power, in boats and Torpedoes,
to defend six of our principal ports. Gentlemen will please to look to
the numbers allotted to each port, and reflect, whether an enemy would
not be inclined to respect a force so active and tremendous in its
consequences; a force, which under the cover of the night, could follow
them into every position within our waters, and pursue them for some
leagues from our shores into the open sea; yet those establishments
would not require an expenditure of four hundred thousand dollars; for
the cutlasses and fire-arms to arm the boats, and the powder for the
Torpedoes, are already in our arsenals and magazines. And what is four
hundred thousand dollars in a national point of view? A sum, which would
little more than build and fit out for sea two ships of 30 guns. After
reflecting on these experiments and demonstrations, I hope no one will,
for a moment, hesitate in deciding, that the two thousand, seven hundred
Torpedoes and six hundred and fifty boats, before estimated, will be a
better protection for six of our sea-ports, than two ships of thirty
or any other number of guns. To man the boats in the different ports,
nothing more will be necessary than a marine militia; they can be as
numerous as any possible necessity could require; and should be exercised
to row and use the Torpedoes until the practice became familiar; after
which practice, once a month would be sufficient. Corps thus formed,
would be no expence to the national government; Torpedoes would require
no repairs, and the boats, carefully laid up in houses built for the
purpose, would last many years.
To compare Torpedoes with the usual marine establishments, and the
superior protection which they give, for any specific sum expended, I
have stated this prospect of economy; but I do not consider economy, in
the commencement of such a system, as an object of primary importance.
Let our fellow-citizens be convinced. Convince the people of Europe of
the power and simple practice of these engines, and it will open to us a
sublime view of immense economy in blood and treasure. As we are not in
actual hostility, and have no opportunity to try experiments on an enemy,
my opinion is, that we should immediately prepare for such an event;
and to satisfy the public, we should, without loss of time, make the
following experiment:
Purchase a strong ship; make six Torpedoes; build two good row-boats,
and prepare them as for action, with twelve men each. Let the ship be
anchored, and the men practised in harpooning, throwing the Torpedoes,
and observing the action of the tide in driving them under her bottom.
After practising on her while at anchor, the ship to be got under way in
moderate and stiff breezes, and while under way, the men to row at and
harpoon her, letting the Torpedoes fall into the water, and observing the
action of the current in driving them under her bottom. When the men have
been so exercised as to be certain of harpooning the ship, the Torpedoes
to be charged, a committee appointed, or the whole of congress witness
the effect, the ship to be put under way, the helm lashed, her men take
to the boat, the Torpedo boats advance, harpoon her, and blow her up. The
success of such an experiment will shew the value of the system; to which
courage must be added in case of an actual engagement.
_Probable expence of such an experiment_
A strong though old ship; 1000 dolls.
Six Torpedoes, one hundred and fifty dollars each 900
Two boats, one hundred dollars each 200
Two harpoon-guns 60
----
Total, 2160 dolls.
Twenty-four men can be chosen from the sailors in government employ.