SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT NO. 601
NEW YORK, JULY 9, 1887
Scientific American Supplement. Vol. XXIV, No. 601.
Scientific American established 1845
Scientific American Supplement, $5 a year.
Scientific American and Supplement, $7 a year.
| TABLE OF CONTENTS. |
| I. |
ASTRONOMY.--A Star Finder.--A simple apparatus that can be constructed by any mechanic.--1 illustration. |
|
Photographic Study of Stellar Spectra, Harvard College Observatory. --First annual report of the Henry Draper memorial observations. --Review of the work by Prof. EDWARD C. PICKERING. |
| II. |
BIOLOGY.--Sponges.--The growth and life history of sponges.--Report of a recent lecture at the London Royal Institution by Dr. R. VON LEDENFELD. |
| III. |
ELECTRICITY.--Phenomena of Alternating Currents.--By Prof. ELIHU THOMSON.--16 illustrations. |
| IV. |
ENGINEERING.--An English Car Coupling.--Description of an English automatic coupling.--2 illustrations. |
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A New Process of Casting Iron and other Metals upon Lace, Embroideries, Fern Leaves, and other Combustible Materials. --By A.E. OUTERBRIDGE, JR.--A new and eminently practical process of producing ornamental castings.--4 illustrations. |
|
Bricks and Brick Work.--By Prof. T. ROGER SMITH, F.R.I.B.A. --The history and technical review of this subject.--A most remarkable contribution to the engineering of architecture. |
|
Link Belting.--By CHARLES A. SCHIEREN.--An interesting and practical paper on leather belting made of links. --9 illustrations. |
|
Recent Progress in Gas Engineering.--A lecture by Mr. A. MACPHERSON, of Kirkcaldy, reviewing the last improvements in this branch. |
| V. |
MISCELLANEOUS.--Herbet's Tepid Douche.--Apparatus in use for bathing soldiers in the French barracks.--1 illustration. |
|
Kent's Torsion Balance.--A new type of balance, involving torsional suspension instead of knife edges.--5 illustrations. |
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Preservative Liquid.--Note on preservation of organic substances. |
|
The Falls of Gairsoppa.--The great Indian falls, higher than Niagara.--2 illustrations. |
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The New British Coinage and Jubilee Medal.--Illustrations and descriptions of the new pieces.--8 illustrations. |
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The Winner of the Derby.--Portrait and description of Merry Hampton. |
| VI. |
NAVAL ENGINEERING.--The Falke Type Torpedo Boat.--The fastest type of British torpedo boat, constructed by Messrs. Yarrow & Co.--1 illustration. |
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The German Navy.--The New Gunboat Eber.--A description of a late accession to the German navy.--1 illustration. |
| VII. |
ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY.--Magazine Rifles.--Continuation of this important article, including the Chaffee-Reece, Kropatschek, and other magazine guns.--3 illustrations. |
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New British Torpedo Experiments.--Experiments with torpedoes against a ship.--The efficiency or torpedo nets.--The effects of Whitehead torpedoes. |
THE FALKE TYPE TORPEDO BOAT.
Among the different classes of vessels designed for special services, constructed by Messrs. Yarrow & Co., at Poplar, for the British government, is one which is stated to be the fastest torpedo boat in her majesty's navy. This boat has been put through its official trials; with a load of 15 tons, running continuously for two hours without stopping, a speed of 23 knots, which is equal to 26½ statute miles, an hour was obtained. The boat is 135 ft. long by 14 ft. beam. Its design is known as the Falke type, being in many respects similar, but very superior, to a torpedo boat of that name which was built two years ago by the same firm for the Austrian government. The form of the hull is of such a character as to give exceptional steering capabilities; at the time of trial it was found to be able to steer round in a circle of a diameter of 100 yards, averaging 62 seconds. The forward part of the boat is completely covered over by a large turtle back, which is the customary form of the boats built by Messrs. Yarrow & Co. It was first introduced in the Batoum, which they constructed eight years ago for the Russian government. This turtle back increases the seaworthiness of the craft by throwing the water that comes upon it freely away. It forms, also, good and roomy accommodation for the crew, and incloses a large portion of the torpedo apparatus. The forward torpedo gear consists of one torpedo gun, adapted for ejecting the Whitehead torpedo by means of gunpowder, now preferred on account of its simplicity. The boiler, one of Messrs. Yarrow & Co.'s special construction, of a type which has undergone many years of constant trial, is capable
