WILLIAMS' SYSTEM OF COAST DEFENSE BY ELECTRICAL TORPEDOES.
The motor of the torpedo, as illustrated, is composed of a number of disk-shaped armatures fastened on the shaft, combined with the screw propeller; the field magnets, being also of disk form, are arranged so that the armatures revolve within close proximity, but not touching the pole surfaces. This enables an exceedingly high efficiency and great power to be realized from a motor of light weight. This construction of motor is specially suitable for use in the equipment of torpedoes and launches, and permits an increase of the power of the motor in either of two directions, i. e., either by increasing the number of disks of a given diameter upon the shaft, or by increasing the diameter of the disks, both of these methods giving increased power in direct ratio to the increase of size. The accumulator or secondary battery, c, is especially designed to store the energy in a small space, and with light weight, and so as to command an amount of energy representing the power necessary for a speed of 25 miles an hour or more. In the electrical circuit, between the motor and accumulator, variable resistances and other governing devices are interposed, by which the current passing to the motor is regulated automatically in accordance with the speed of the motor, or with the electric pressure in the circuit from the accumulator. A circuit closer or variable resistance operating in the circuit is connected by the cable with a variable resistance at the switch board, and operated by the current controlled thereby. The force to the motor can be regulated, controlled, or stopped at the will of the manipulator at the switch board placed at the point from which the torpedo is dispatched. Signaling devices or guide rods, O, for indicating the position and direction of movement of the torpedo to the operator can be arranged to be raised and lowered, through the medium of electrical appliances, P, at will, by a current sent through the paying-out cable from the keyboard at the base of operations. Fixed means or sight rods can be used, and hooded incandescent lamps, O2, can be carried by the signal or sight rods, by which means at night or in the day the operator will be enabled to direct the torpedo to the object of attack in spite of adverse or cross currents, or a change in the position of the vessel under attack.
The body of the torpedo containing the machinery and explosive can be arranged to be any desired depth below the surface of the water, and be supported by a buoy as a shield, or be covered by a protection against shot, the displacement of the torpedo being regulated in accordance with the means employed for maintaining it the desired distance below the surface. The torpedo can be ballasted and provided with fins to offer the necessary resistance to the action of the propelling machinery. The electrical paying-out cable, G, is shown in a coil in proximity to the chamber at the bow, which is designed to carry the explosive charge in a fixed or detachable magazine, arranged when detachable to drop a determined distance, and to be fired electrically by the operator or automatically.
Fig. 6 illustrates an apparatus in which a dynamo is operated by a rotary engine having a throttling device controlled electrically by the current passing through the discharging circuit of the generator; the circuit of the generator is connected with the paying-out cable of the torpedo, through the medium of the key board, in which a variable resistance and regulating devices are employed for controlling the operation of the torpedo. Electric magazines are shown arranged to operate in the discharging circuit of the generator, and to be connected with the appliances forming part of the equipment of the torpedo through the medium of the paying-out cable, in conjunction with which is arranged the circuit-closing devices of the switch board under the control of the operator at the stations. Automatic electric pressure regulators are used in the circuit from the source, so as to reduce or regulate the pressure to some predetermined limit. The circuit controllers and manually operative variable resistances upon the switch or keyboard can have indicators connected with them. Under such conditions, with the circuits and appliances upon the torpedo constructed to a known standard, the control of such torpedo in all its movements and operations is easy and certain. Such appliances are especially designed for use upon men-of-war or steam or electric launches when the torpedo vessels are not equipped with electrical magazines. Fig. 5 illustrates a floating fort or battery equipped with machinery, electrical apparatus, and torpedoes, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. The floating fort or battery equipped with electrical or other machinery for propelling can be anchored in suitable positions, or moved from place to place to be in torpedo range of a fleet, or in a suitable position for supplying torpedo launches with torpedoes, and electric or other means of power.
Fig. 3 illustrates a steam launch, and Fig. 4 an electric launch fitted with electrical appliances and compartments containing a means for carrying and discharging electrical torpedoes. By the employment of such means, and a well-organized system of coast defense, it will be practically impossible for hostile vessels to land troops, or to inflict a serious damage upon shipping or seaport towns. Any extent of coast or estuary can be thoroughly protected by launches, light vessels, and appliances operated from fixed electrical stations, supplied with power and means of operation from any point, however distant. For carrying such a system into practical operation, the cost will, it is claimed, be but a tithe of what would be required for placing an inefficient system of fixed mines and forts, or for building men-of-war for coast defense, as men-of-war are practically defenseless against a greater number of high-speed launches equipped with movable and controllable torpedoes, the reasons for which are obvious, as a sufficient number of such launches would cover a greater distinctive range than the vessel which depended upon the range of its guns, or those combined with uncontrollable torpedoes.