AMERICAN CHEMICAL JOURNAL.
Vol. X., No. 3, May, 1888.
T. W. Richards has redetermined the atomic weight of copper by precipitation of silver from silver nitrate, finding the figures 63.436. J. P. Cooke and T. W. Richards correct their previous results on the atomic weight of oxygen, obtaining 15.869. W. O. Atwater notes the sources of error in the soda-lime determination of nitrogen. W. Spring’s work on the union of bodies by pressure is reviewed, and also that of C. Winkler on compounds of the metal germanium. C. R. S.
ANNALEN HER HYDROGRAPHIE UND MARITIMEN METEOROLOGIE.
Vol. 5, 1888. The influence of the sun and moon on the magnetism of the earth, the pressure of the air, and the electricity in the air, by Dr. P. Andries. Remarks on the hydrography of the east coast of Africa, south of Zanzibar. Remarks on the harbor of Peterhead, Trinidad. Voyage of the German brig Albert Reimann from Port Natal to Macassar, April 16 to June 22, 1887. Remarks on a passage through Le Maire Strait, and the quieting of waves by means of fish oil. Zodiacal light. Remarks on Panama and Port Townsend. Description of two waterspouts in the Pacific. Approaches to Nusa on Pleasant Island. Deep-sea sounding in the South Atlantic. Determination of geographical positions in the Inland Sea of Japan. Quarterly weather report. Minor notices: Anchorages off Santa Cruz, Teneriffe. The Galapagos Island. Finsch harbor. Anchorage off Macao. Fogs in Germany. Suva on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji group. Hydrographic notices about the east coast of Africa, from Zanzibar to the Bay of Manda. Deep-sea soundings in the North Atlantic. Geographical position of places in the Nether-land Indian possessions. Sailing directions for sailing vessels across the Atlantic to and from the east coast of Africa. Report on a hurricane on the 25th and 26th of November, 1886, in the South Atlantic. Meteorological observations in Possiette and Vladivostock on the east coast of Siberia. Short hydrographic notices.
E. H. C. L.
COMPTE RENDU DES TRAVAUX DE LA SOCIÉTÉ DES INGÉNIEURS CIVILS.
4e Serie, 41e Anniée, 4 Cahier.
The greater part of this volume is taken up by a plan and discussion thereon of improving the harbor of Havre and the lower part of the Seine. Also a short description of the Latrigue single-rail railroad. E. H. C. L.
ENGINEER, NEW YORK.
June 16. Wheeler’s combined engine and fan-blower.
This compact and convenient machine was designed especially for use on steam launches, yachts, and other steam vessels where there is but little room to spare. It is also adapted for stationary or other purposes requiring an independent blowing apparatus. The engraving shows a small vertical steam engine with cylinder 2¾" diameter by 3'' stroke, driving by means of friction-pulley a fan-blower having a 5¾-inch discharge nozzle. The engine, when making 500 revolutions per minute, will give 2500 revolutions of the blower, and this with a pressure in steam chest of engine not exceeding twenty pounds, which is very low for the amount of work done. The air pressure is equal to nearly four ounces, and will furnish sufficient air for a boiler having 6 to 8 square feet of grate-surface.
The friction-pulleys are carefully covered with a superior quality of oak-tanned stretched leather, and are kept in perfect contact (without undue pressure) by springs, adjustable with a thumb-screw not shown in the engraving.
Mr. Wheeler found in applying his surface condensers to marine engines which had previously worked non-condensing, the necessity for using forced draught for the boiler to replace the blast previously effected by the exhaust. Experiments with an ordinary blower, connected by countershaft and belting to the main engine, were not successful, as the belts gave constant trouble by running off the pulleys when the main engine was reversed or started suddenly. There being nothing in the market in the way of a small, compact, independent blowing apparatus, he designed the very effective and inexpensive machine here illustrated. For further particulars apply to Fred’k M. Wheeler, M. E., 93 Liberty Street, New York.
ENGINEERING.
April 6, 1888. Forced draught.
Paper read before the Institution of Naval Architects. Gives results of trials on merchant steamers.
Forced draught in the Navy.
Gives results of trials on six naval vessels.
April 13. The material best suited for propeller blades.
Paper read before the Institution of Naval Architects.
May 18. Forced draught. Materials for propeller blades.
H. M. S. Magicienne and Marathon; two protected cruisers of about 3000 tons displacement, with many new features in design and construction.
May 25. The “Zephyr” system of boat propulsion.
These launches, built by Yarrow & Co., arc propelled by the vapor of some hydrocarbon spirit exploded in the cylinders of the engines. The spirit vapor is generated by burning kerosene. A launch 30 feet long by 6 feet beam, with all machinery, weighs only one ton; that is, about one half the weight of a steam launch of equal size. There is no smut, smoke, soot, nor cinders. The whole machinery is automatic, so that the person in charge can give his undivided attention to steering. The boat runs 7 or 8 miles per hour on 1½ gallons kerosene per hour. The consumption of the hydrocarbon spirit is only that due to leakage. W. F. W.
JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ENGINEERING SOCIETIES.
Volume VII., No. 5, May, 1888. On a method of making the wave length of sodium light the actual and practical standard of length, by Profs. Michelson and Morley. Present aspect of the problem of American inter-oceanic ship transfer. Minutes of Executive Board of the Council of Engineering Societies of National Public Works.
No. 6, June. Eulogy upon Charles Latimer, C. E., of Cleveland, who was a graduate of the Naval Academy of the class of ’41. Index to current literature. H. S. K.
JOURNAL DU MATELOT.
April 21, 1888. An explorer at Timbuctoo.
May 12. Miscellaneous. Centenary of La Pérouse.
June 9. Report of the Consultative Committee on Ocean Fisheries to the Minister of Marine and Colonies. J. L.
JOURNAL OF THE MILITARY SERVICE INSTITUTION.
Volume IX., No. 34, June, 1888.
The leading paper is an essay on the “Armament of the Outside Line of Defense,” by Lieutenant E. M. Weaver, U. S. Army. The argument is that the greatest thickness of steel plates that will have to be destroyed by our shore guns is twenty inches, which will be capable of resisting 1500 foot-tons of projectile energy per ton of plate, and that guns larger than 18-inch caliber will not be floated against the defenses of our seacoast. These conditions of offense, which allow for the further development of best guns and armor, being assumed, the author proposes to arm the outside line of defense with high-power guns of 20-inch caliber. Such a gun would weigh 200 tons, fire a projectile of 4500 pounds, which, at a range of nearly six miles, would have a velocity of 1333 feet, and sufficient energy to penetrate a 20-inch steel plate. “The larger the gun that can be mounted up to a certain limit, the cheaper it will be to defend the coast, for the effective area guarded by guns varies with the square of the effective range of guns; the cost of making and mounting guns docs not begin to increase in the same ratio, and, moreover, the larger effective area means fewer men and fewer forts.” In the discussion of the paper by a number of prominent army and navy officers, due credit was given the author for the comprehensive view taken of the subject, the information concerning the action of shot of different forms on plates of different material, and the numerous interesting notes on the latest foreign guns; but his conclusion that so large a gun as 20-inch is needed was generally condemned.
Dr. Pitcher, U. S. Army, contributes a paper on the transportation of the wounded; and Captain R. S. Collum, U. S. Marines, a brief historical sketch of the "Antiquity of the Marines,” from which we learn that “infantry as part of the complement of vessels of war was common to the Phoenicians and to all maritime states of Greece at least five centuries before the commencement of the Christian era.” A. G.
MITTHEILUNGEN AUS DEM GEBIETE DES SEEWESENS.
Volume XVI., Nos. 3 and 4. The use of carrier pigeons on board of men-of-war.
Carrier pigeons have frequently been taken on board of sea-going vessels and liberated at sea. Those of good breed and good training have generally reached their home-cots on land, provided the weather was favorable and the distance not too great. The reverse is now being tried, namely, to establish permanently pigeon-houses on board of outgoing vessels, and leave the pigeons belonging to these cots on shore, and send them whenever needed with dispatches to overtake their respective vessels. With this object in view, a carrier-pigeon station has been established on board the artillery practice ship St. Louis at Toulon. It consists of a square cage about 5 feet broad and 6½ feet high, placed on the bridge at a distance of about 20 feet forward of the mizzen mast. It is supported on both sides and thus protected from the wind. The pigeons can enter the house freely, but cannot leave it without the help of their keeper. The cage is painted outside in bright red and green colors in order to be seen by the pigeons at a long distance, it is divided into two stories, each having three boxes, so as to carry six pairs.
In order to accustom the pigeons to the report of guns, the cot has been placed near two 19-c. and two 24-0. guns, which fire an average of six hundred rounds a week.
The artillery practice ship will receive on her next cruise a dozen carrier pigeons belonging to the “Société Forteresse,” and will in return leave an equal number on shore. After the arrival of the vessel in the roads of Hyères, or during the passage, the pigeons, which have been previously trained on shore, will be liberated from the vessel, and the ship pigeons will be set free at the same time by the “Société Forteresse”—Armee Blatt.
The new navy of Mexico.
The two dispatch boats Democrats and Mexico, and the two gunboats Libertad and Independencia, of the present Mexican navy, will be rebuilt. The appropriation for the purchase of a training-ship has just been granted by the Mexican Parliament. Two transports, one intended for service in the Gulf of Mexico and the other for the Pacific Coast, and five first-class torpedo boats, constitute the nucleus of the new Mexican navy.
Powder works in China.
The Government of China is constructing at the arsenal of Tientsin some powder mills where the brown powder used for breech-loading guns will be manufactured. The mills are being established on a large scale in every respect. The newest and best machines arc to be used, and when completed, China will possess the largest and best equipped powder mills in the world.
H. M.
NORSK TIDSSKKIFT FOR SOVAESEN.
Seventh Annual Series, Vol. 7. Effect of oil on sea waves. The Italian Navy. Calculation of line of position, Mr. A. C. Johnson’s method. Cruises of Norwegian naval vessels in 1887. Minor notices: The Italian torpedo boat Fatum. The new explosive, emmensite. Bursting of English guns. Manufacture of war material for foreign powers. New lifeboats. Premium for the best design for an armorclad for the American Navy. The English armorclad Nile. Literary review of Captain Jakobsen’s voyage on the west coast of North America, 1881-1883. Official communications.
E. H. C. L.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, LONDON.
Series of 1888, No. 1, February. The position and prospects of electricity as applied to engineering.
A paper by Mr. Geipel, presenting a summary of the present status of electrical engineering, under the following heads: I. Electric transmission and distribution of power. II. Electric locomotion. III. Electric lighting. IV. Electric metallurgy. A very full discussion by prominent electrical engineers is a valuable addition to this most interesting paper. H. S. K.
REVISTA MARITIMA BRAZILEIRA.
January to March, 1888. The Rio Apa in a storm; cyclones. Casualties on board ship; a guide to the first treatment to be given in absence of a surgeon. Modern guns. English ordnance. The great war of 1887 (translated from the German review, Beiheft Mariner-ordnungsblalt). Foreign navies: Germany; Princess Wilhelm and Ariadne. China; Admiral Lang’s squadron. United States; Coast defenses. France; Experiments to determine the efficacy of oil in calming the waves. England; Trials of the submarine torpedo boat Nordenfelt; torpedo-hunters; the squadron of the Medway; the manoeuvres of 1888; trials of the Longridge gun; construction of gunboats of the Buzzard type; dismantling the Minotaur; failure of the torpedo cruiser of the Archer type; bursting of a breech-loading gun of 25 cm.; Henwood method of preserving iron and steel bottoms in ships. Italy; Trials of the plates of the Morosini and Ruggiero di Lauria. Argentine Republic; Creation of a high naval commission. Russia; Launch of two gunboats; increase of the Russian fleet. J. L.
REVUE DU CERCLE MIL1TAIRE.
April 8, 1888. Methods of instruction in infantry firing (ended). Recent photographic works; astronomic photography. The Verona manoeuvres of 1887 (with sketches). Foreign military notes. Miscellaneous. Military papers of Lieutenant-General the Marquis de Vibroye (ended). Fontenoy and Hastenbeck.
April 15. Fitness of blood horses for cavalry duty. Recruiting in the German army. The archipelago of Philippines and Mindanao (plates).
April 22. Future prospects of young men after graduating at preparatory military schools. Mobilization of the Italian army. Railroad stations’ commanders. A visit to Gibraltar and Tangier.
April 29. Training of the war-horse, and qualities required in a cavalry officer of the present time (extract of a communication read before the staff of the 1st division of cavalry of the Russian Imperial Guard). Experiments with the compressed air gun in U. S. and Germany. The Michaud telemetric telescope (with cuts).
May 6. Training of the war-horse, etc. (concluded). The Michaud telemetric telescope (concluded).
May 13. Effects of shell torpedoes upon fortifications. Concrete facings and cupolas.
June 10. Comments of the foreign military press upon infantry armament in France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland. The summer manoeuvres of the Russian troops in 1888. J. L.
RIVISTA MARITTIMA.
April, 1888. Submarine electric illumination (with plates). The English navy (Admiralty programme presented to Parliament, with estimates for 1888-89). On the corrosion and incrustation of hulls
(iron and steel), and the means of preserving them. Transportation of frozen meat on shipboard. Plans for war-ships in the United States.
May. On sea-sickness, by Dr. Antonio Giacich. Combustion with forced draught in marine boilers (translation from Engineering). The lighting of the Suez Canal. Experiments with shells charged with dynamite (description of the Graydon system). J. B. B.
REVUE MARITIME ET COLONIALE.
April, 1888. The army budget, and the question of the seaport defenses in England. Historical notes on the French Navy (continued). The oyster beds on the coast of Morbihan (France). Travels in Borneo. Article on the use of cast-iron, steel-bound rifled mortars of 30 cm. for coast defenses. English Navy appropriations (1888-9). Foreign Chronicle—German Navy: Despatch boat Schwalbe. English Navy: Mobilization of the fleet. Sanitary situation of the fleet in 1886. Artillery—Steel wire-wound gun. The pneumatic gun, from the report of the American committee on technics. Canals—Project of a canal around Niagara Falls. Colonies—Defense of the English colonies. Geography—The Scilly islands as a naval station. Engines—A 4ooo-ton press. Life Saving— A new lifeboat. Telephone at sea. Destruction of torpedoes at Malta. Torpedo experiments against the Resistance. Torpedo Boats: Submarine torpedo boats of Turkey. Cruises of torpedo boats.
May. Collisions at sea (1st part). Double ocean tracks and phonic signals in foggy weather (with diagrams and full descriptions). Historical account of the French navy establishment (concluded). A trip to Borneo. The German merchant navy. Law concerning the repatriation of “stranded” sailors by German vessels. The La P6rouse centenary. The cruisers Irene and Princess Wilhelm of the German navy. The launching of the Nilus and Pheasant. Trials of the Impérieuse, Narcissus, and Fearless. The auxiliary cruisers Oceana, Arcadia, City of New York, and City of Paris. New gunboats. Preparations for the approaching naval manoeuvres. Cadets’ watch in the engine-room. New process in the manufacture of steel guns. Experiments with nitro-gelatine. Trials of the guns of the ironclad Rodney. Substitution of very volatile liquids for water. Results of proposals for plans for an armored vessel. Tenders for the construction of three Spanish cruisers. A new expedition to the North Pole.
June. Collisions at sea (continued). The minimum compass assignable to phonic signals. Submarine signals (with diagrams). This subject acquires new interest in view of the approaching international conference in Washington. Elements of international maritime law (with a preamble). German merchant navy. Law concerning the repatriation of “stranded” sailors by German merchant vessels (concluded). Laws of astral distances. General report on the sardine fishery by the chairman of the Committee on Ocean Fisheries. Foreign chronicle: English Navy—The cruiser Brisk.
The sloop Nymph. U. S. Navy—New regulations for the Naval Academy. Launching of the Yorktown and Vesuvius. The protected cruiser Maine. Artillery experiments on the Orlando. A 150-ton gun. An English gun with a 12-mile range. Naval constructions—New type of English gunboat. Compressed-air submarine boats. New English stations in the Pacific. An unknown reef in the Red Sea. Naval tactics—The game of blockade. Forts against vessels. Torpedoes before the Royal United Service Institution. J. L.
ROYAL UNITED SERVICE INSTITUTION.
Volume XXXII., No. 143. Quick-firing guns in the field, by Thorsten Nordenfelt, Esq.
A paper on the pneumatic dynamite gun, with discussion by members of the Institution.
Speed as a factor in naval warfare.
A paper of interest, proving, under varying conditions, the advantages of speed in naval combats. Tables showing the sacrifices that have been made to attain the requisite speed.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION.
Volume XVI., No. 4. A dictionary of explosives (continued); useful for reference. The Maxim automatic machine-gun (continued); description of gun, with results of several trials. An article on the use and great advantages of the Scott’s telescopic sights: elimination of personal errors, errors due to difference in level of wheels, etc.
No. 5. A proposed sighting and firing arrangement for turret guns.
By means of which they may be elevated while in the loading position, and fired by electricity, thereby increasing rapidity of fire and lessening exposure of ports.
Atmospheric refraction on target-ranges.
Experiments on this subject. Sighting theodolite at point a known distance off, and noting at different atmospheric temperatures and pressures the apparent lateral and vertical displacement.
UNITED SERVICE GAZETTE.
M ay 12, 1888. Description of gunboat Partridge, recently launched at Devonport.
May 19. The Quick Ordnance and Ammunition Co. acquiring patents for improvements in breech-mechanism of heavy guns, entirely new system. A water-proof powder, low maximum pressure, may possibly be used for propulsion of dynamite shells.
June 2. Naval volunteers. Views of Admiral Hornby on defense of merchant ships in case of war. M. K. E.
LE YACHT.
April 14, 1888. Military port defenses. Petroleum engine and boiler. On p. 22, commencement of an article on fighting ships. Practical instruction for officers of the merchant navy. The steam packet City of New York.
April 21. A study on fighting ships (continued). Training of sea carrier-pigeons on board the Couronne and the Saint Louis.
April 28. A study on fighting ships (ended). A race from Southampton to Madeira between the Bridesmaid and Atlantis. Log-book of the Bridesmaid.
May 5. The race between the Bridesmaid and Atlantis from Southampton to Madeira. Log-book of the Atlantis.
Rome and Berlin.
An essay after the style of its prototype, the celebrated Battle of Dorking.
May 12. Shipbuilding by Government and private industry (Lisbonne). The Yarrow torpedo picket-boat (N. L. C.). Launch of the 1st class French cruiser Cecille. Nautical news and facts: Flags, national and mercantile.
May 19. Shipbuilding by Government and private industry (continued). Foreign chronicle: The launch of the dispatch boat Nymph, and gunboat Partridge. Keel and centerboard, experience of Mr. Burgess (L. More). The cork belt, Catu’s system. Nautical news and facts: Stability of the Mayflower (Bédart). Log-book of the yacht Sereda (see preceding number).
May 26. The armament question in England and in France (G. Weyl). Correspondence on the subject of dockyards and private industry. Marine paintings in the Salon (see preceding numbers). .Review of the merchant navy. Log-book of the N. Y. Sereda (concluded).
June 2. Our cruisers, with regard to an article by Sir Ch. Dilke (Weyl). Yacht clubs. The torpedo cruiser L’Epervier. Yachting in England. Application of the new gauge. Remarks on screw propellers.
June 9. The maritime situation in the Mediterranean (Weyl). The spinnaker and its origin (L. More). Barbette cruisers in course of construction. J. L.
reviewers and translators.
Lieut. E. H. C. Leutze,
Ensign H. S. Knapp,
Lieut. J. B. Briggs,
Prof. Jules Leroux,
Ensign M. K. Eyre,
Prof. H. Marion,
Lieut. A. Gleaves,
Prof. C. R. Sanger,
P. A. Engr. W. F. Worthington.