Torpedo

(tor-pe'do.) [L., from tor peo, to be numb. ] (Zool.) A gen. of fishes, fam. Ravida, po e ing electrical powers. They are also called cramp - fishes, and electric rays, and are distinguished by the short and somewhat fleshy tail, and the nearly circular disc formed by the body. The electrical apparatus, which has rendered the torpedo so celebrated, consists of small membranous tubes, disposed like honey-comb, and divided by horizontal partitions into small cells, which are filled with mucous matters. By exercising this power, the torpedo is enabled to procure its prey, and to protect itself against enemies. Whatever animal attempts to lay hold of it receives a sudden paralyzing shock; and small fishes, it is said, are completely stunned on approaching it.-(Navy.) A submarine machine for blowing up ships, invented by D. Bushnell, of Connecticut, 1776; first efficiently devised by Fulton, 1803. subsequently perfected by Colt; largely used by the Confederates during the Civil War; and now employed by all maritime nations as a favorite weapon of defence. A kind of 1. lately invented by Capt. Frederick Harvey, consists of a stout wooden casing, strengthened on the outside with iron straps, and containing a metal shell which holds the powder-charge. A central transverse section of the weapon gives a rectangle, while in plan it is a rhomboid, the ends being angled to give the T.,when towed, a divergence of about 45 deg. from the ve el towing it. The torpedoes are of various sizes. according to requirements, the large-size weapon measuring 4 ft. 6 in. in length by 2 ft. in depth and 6in. in width. The charge for this T. is 76 lbs. of gunpowder, or 100 lbs. of dynamite or litho-fracteur. The charge is inserted in the casing through two holes, which after loading are first secured with corks, and then with screwed bra plugs. The T. is fired by being brought into hugging contact with an enemy's ship, when one or other of two projecting levers acts upon an exploding bolt, causing the ignition of the charge. The exploding apparatus consists of a tube containing a chemical agent and abu lb holding another. The nature of these chemicals is such that when they combine, violent combustion ensues, which explodes the charge. [s. 900]