Published Resources Details Journal Article

Title
Miscellanea
In
The Engineer
Imprint
vol. 39, 30 April 1875, p. 295
Description

Accession No.3041

Abstract

"An interesting series of torpedo experiments against the old Oberon hulk has been held in Portsmouth Harbour, under the direction of Captain Singer, of the Vesuvius. The object was to ascertain the respective explosive forces of various preparations of gun cotton. The weights and distances were in every instance identical. On Tuesday the mine consisted of an outrigger charged with 100 lb. of gun cotton discs firmly packed. This was submerged to a depth of 10ft. at a perpendicular distance of 20 ft., or something like 28ft. from the Oberon's side, the intention of Captain Singer being to make an indentation in the hulk sufficient for the purpose without destroying or sinking the target. On Wednesday the bursting charge consisted of the same weight of solid slabs of gun cotton fired by electricity. So far as could be judged from the force of the detonation, and the volume of water upheaved, the superiority would seem to rest with the compressed slabs, but the precise comparative result cannot be ascertained until the Oberon has been examined in detail.

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