One hundred years ago
THE Americans believe that they have invented a new and most formidable weapon. On September 20th, Lieute- nant Zalinski was permitted to try his air-gun in New York Harbour against a Survey schooner named `Silliman'. The gun was a tube of steel 60 ft. long, the shell contained 55 lb. of dynamite, and the propelling force was compressed air. The target was a mile and a quarter off, when, after two discharges with blank-cartridge to get the range, the destroying shell, 51/2 ft. long, was fired. It travelled slowly, taking a third of a minute to cover the distance; but when it struck, the schooner was irretrievably disabled, water running fast into her hold. A second discharge shattered her timbers "into toothpicks. Her hull was smashed into driftwood, and parts of it went floating off with the tide. The water-tank, which had been firmly fas- tened to the schooner's bottom, was blown right up through the deck and floated on the wreckage, and the stump of the mainmast was turned upside down." It is pointed out that the low velocity leaves a steamer in motion too much chance; but this may be im- proved, and if not, the guns can be used for harbour defence in great numbers.
The Spectator, 1 October 1887
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