The Century of Inventions of the Marquis of Worcester / from the Original MS., with Historical and Explanatory Notes and a Biographical Memoir

by Marquis of Edward Somerset Worcester

No. IX.

An engine, portable in one's pocket, which may be carried and fastened on the inside of the greatest ship, tanquam aliud agens, and, at any appointed minute, though a week after, either of day or night, it shall irrecoverably sink that ship.

NOTE.

To prepare this dangerous instrument, it is merely necessary to connect a gun-lock with a common bomb shell, filled in the usual manner, and a small clock attached; which will at any given time discharge the lock, and cause the shell to explode: the tremendous effects of which in the cabin or hold of a vessel may easier be conceived than described.