When it is desired to sink the torpedo boat an electric current is sent in one direction through the said magnets, and thereby operates the slide valve to admit gas to the cylinder m in front of the piston m1, which is thus forced inward and opens the air cock l2. The opening of this cock permits the escape of the air from the water chamber l, and consequently the entrance of water through the apertures l1, and the boat then immediately sinks.
When it is desired to raise the boat a current is sent in the opposite direction through the said electro magnets, thereby operating the said valve and piston in such a manner as to close the cock l2 and open the port o1 and the pipe o, thereby allowing the gas to pass from the valve chamber into the compartment l; this gas by its pressure expels the water from the said compartment, and the boat then having its normal buoyancy restored immediately rises to the surface.
The Lay Torpedo Boat used as a Tug to take out a Number of Small Torpedoes.—This arrangement is shown at [Fig. 132] and [133]. The small vessels or torpedoes are designed to be first sunk and then exploded, chiefly for clearing harbour or the like of mines or other obstructions. These results are accomplished by means of the following devices and arrangements, that is to say, each of the small vessels or torpedoes F is provided with apparatus which is included in an electrical circuit formed by a suitable insulated cable G, extending throughout the train of small vessels or torpedoes F. One vessel of this train, preferably the rear one, is connected with the station by an electrical cable H, which is payed out from a coil or coils, or a reel or reels, in the said vessel as the same travels through the water. This cable H connects with the cable G, which is connected with the towing boat A, and passes through the series of boats F to the said cable H. One wire of the said cable is arranged in combination with sealed or covered apertures in the bottom of a compartment or compartments of these small vessels F, as shown at I, the covers of these apertures being so formed as to be ruptured or destroyed by the explosion of a cartridge or cartridges placed in the said compartment or compartments. When a current of electricity is sent through the aforesaid wire of the cable it will explode the said cartridges and open the apertures, thereby admitting water into the said compartments so that the vessel F will sink.
The cable G that passes through the train of torpedoes or vessels F is so arranged that when a current passes through the other wire of the said cable it will fire cartridges placed in the charge chambers or magazines of the said small vessels, as shown at J. The part of the cable or towing line G, which connects the towing boat A with the train of small boats or torpedoes F, is attached to a hook or other device, which can be disengaged by sending a current through the cable K, connecting the boat A with the shore or other station. It will be understood that when being used for this purpose the said boat A is not or need not be charged with explosive material.
![[LAY'S LOCOMOTIVE TORPEDO.]](#4374433151378687799_i_246-big.jpg.id-2803941618213050657.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
The aforesaid towing boat A takes the train of torpedoes F to any required position. It is then disengaged from the train, leaving the said small vessels or torpedoes F floating in such position. Then by sending a current first through one wire of the cable H the boats F are first sunk by the explosion of the cartridges and opening of the apertures, as above described. They may then be discharged immediately by sending a current through the other wire of said cable H and firing the cartridges in their magazines, or they may be left submerged to form mines which may be exploded at any desired moment.
The said small vessels or torpedoes may be provided with vertical rods to indicate their position to the operator at the station; these rods are shown at L, and they should be made hollow to allow the air in the water compartments or chambers to escape to permit the water to enter the same when the vessels F are to be sunk; or other suitable provision may be made for the escape of the air from these compartments.