Robert Fulton, Engineer and Artist; His Life and Works

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1913. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX D SIR EDWARD OWEN'S DESCRIPTION OF FULTON'S TORPEDO Clyde in the Downes, 6M September 1S07. Sir, --When Mr. Robert Fulton was employed by the Government of this Country, I was ordered to make trial against the Enemy at Boulogne of the Machines invented by him for destroying Vessels by explosion under Water. My attention was therefore very particularly directed to the Weapon and the means of giving it effect, and I had in consequence a great deal of Conversation and of Correspondence with Mr. Fulton on the Subject and was by that means put in possession of most of his opinions on it. I confess myself to have been of the Number who very much doubted its efficacy, and I believe in consequence of my doubts the experiment was made in Walmer Road of blowing up a brig with them, the result of which placed the power of the weapon beyond dispute and left the means and Policy of using it the only questions. In the late Newspapers I observe an account of an experiment made by him at New York to prove their effect to the Magistrates of that Town, and as an Enemy's Coast at all times gives a great facility for using them against blockading ships I think it more than probable, that should the Negociations between this Country and America take an unfavorable turn, they may be used against our Naval Force upon that Station. I take the Liberty therefore of enclosing you for the Information of My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a Description of his Machine as latterly fitted with all the improvements which the experience of the Officers had suggested (and which left the Weapon very different from what was first proposed by him), to which I have added some suggestions as to the means of counteracting them, which shou'd Their Lordships think it necessary to c..