Figure the Second is another mode of arranging the bomb. A. B. C. are pieces of cork tied by small lines 8 or 10 feet long to the principal line D in this manner it is floated under water where it is not Visible nor in danger of being hooked or taken up;
Figure the third is a section of a ship shewing how the bomb lies when first it comes alongsides; here the suspending line A is of a length to bend round the curve of the vessel and lay the Bomb in the position B. where the explosion taken place; to get the bomb into that position two things are necessary. First When it is loaded and has its lock screwed on, or a weight equal to that of the lock; it must be suspended in a tub of salt water and if too heavy it must have a cussion of Cork fastened to it; so as to balance it to two or three pounds heavyer than its volume of water; in which case its tendency downward being not more than three or four pounds a little pressure of tide will raise it or move it latirally; and that it may mount latirally, and move to the position B, it must be hung with an inclination to the tide, as will be seen in figure the fourth, in which A represents a Vessel to be attacked, B her cable, C. C. two bombs united by a line 100 or more feet long, which line is tied by the bridles D. D. when it touches the cable the tide drives the bombs alongside; the pressure of the tide on the angle D will then drive them under the bottom of the Vessel as seen in Figure the 3d.
The Bomb was thus arranged to blow up the Brig Dorothea,
To throw them in case of an attack it is only necessary for the Boats to run inside of the Buoy—; which might be done of a dark night without being observed, or if Seen, would run little risk from musket shot in the dark, and at such a distance,
Observations on these inventions
It having been fully proved that the explosion of a Submarine Bomb under a vessel will completely destroy her, it is now necessary to consider the expence of the two kinds of Bombs and their application; The expence of the Bomb complete, with the instantanious lock will be as follows
| £ | S | D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Bomb of Copper | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 100 lb of powder | 7 | 10 | 0 |
| Anchor or weight and lines | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| £ 14 | 0 | 0 | |
| The Bomb with the clockwork Lock | |||
| Lock | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Bomb of Copper | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 100 lb of powder | 7 | 10 | 0 |
| Cork and lines | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| £ 22 | 0 | 0 |
The Average price is 18 £ and each bomb of 18 £ Value is of a power to do as much execution as a fire ship which costs 2 or 3 thousand; 6,660 of them may be made for 120 thousand pounds or the first cost of one first rate Ship of the line when engines of such destructive powers can be multiplied to so great a degree, and at an expence which cannot be felt by an opulent nation the practice of them may produce novel and serious consequences.
PLATE THE NINTH