640 bars of music in "two-four" time, with all the parts as performed by a full band. The increased or diminished dynamic effect is regulated by steel fingers, which also set in motion the pneumatic action operating the drums. The distance between the steel fingers is sufficient to allow eight rows of pins and staples to be placed upon the cylinder, which, by a lateral motion, brings each row in turn under a finger, so that in eight revolutions of the cylinder each finger has traversed a path of pins 272 inches in length; this number, multiplied by 166, shows that the whole distance traversed by all the fingers is 3,762 feet and 8 inches. Ten cylinders have already been made, and the pins and staples have been arranged on four of them. The work is done by first covering the cylinder completely and firmly with white paper, on which, by means of the fingers and a graduating machine, the position of the pins and the length of the staples is marked. After the pins and staples have been driven into the wood to the proper depth, the paper is removed. The time required for arranging the pins and staples on one cylinder is three months. In order to obtain a perfectly smooth and uniform surface, presenting everywhere the same arrangement of grain for holding the pins, it was found necessary to construct the cylinders from solid logs. The basswood trees required were cut at the right time in the forests of Schoharie county; and after proper seasoning were bored, so as to leave a shell of about three-quarters of an inch thick, by machinery especially constructed for this purpose at a cost of several hundred dollars. The cylinders are highly polished and have their ends inclosed by brass disks, of diameter sufficient to form a protecting rim; connected with these disks are the axles on which, when in place, the cylinder revolves. The linear extent of the ten cylinders, placed end to end, exceeds seventy-five feet. A weight of 300 pounds, which is so geared as to be easily moved, is raised to a height of eleven feet; and, when connected with the cylinder, causes it to revolve for about one hour and a half. The speed is regulated by a fan wheel. The bellows, which supplies the pipes with wind, is placed in the story below and operated by a novel hydraulic apparatus, which is self-acting, that is to say, its valves are tripped internally, faster or slower as more or less wind is required; the bellows itself always directing the movement. A correct idea of this ingenious contrivance cannot be given without drawings. It only remains to speak of the pipes. They have been constructed with great care, a large number having been rejected after subjection to trial. The points satisfactorily attained are correct imitations of the sounds of not only the wood and brass instruments, but also of the stringed instruments of the orchestra. Having perfected this part of the "Autophoneon," the inventor is able to give the correct interpretation of all written music. For instance, the complete overtures of "Don Giovanni" and "Figaro" are played with surprising sweetness and power. The slow and solemn anthem and the exciting music of the dance are equally within its range and capacity. It not only executes the most rapid passages, but adds those peculiar effects which can only be produced by contrasts in the timbre and dynamics of sound. Eight years have elapsed since Mr. Dixon commenced the construction of this instrument for his own use; and the cost thus far is nearly ten thousand dollars! Instruments somewhat similar to this belong to several of the crowned heads of Europe, but they are all of inferior size. It is a matter of especial gratification to every American that the largest automatic musical instrument ever constructed has been planned and completed by a single enterprising fellow-citizen, who, in following the bent of his genius, has demonstrated how far machinery, which arleady has the credit of doing the drudgery of the world, can be made to minister to our more refined tastes. Respectfully submitted. JOHN B. RICH, Chairman. The regular subject of the evening," Improvements in Modern Warfare,” was then taken up. MARINE ARTILLERY. Mr. Norman Wiard.-In preparing the expedition of General Burnside for service in North Carolina, it was decided to organize a new branch of the service, to be called marine artillery. As superintendent of ordnance stores, I was directed to consult with Col. Wm. A. Howard, and supply the necessary guns, carriages and implements for the purpose, and, accordingly, twelve steel 12-pounder rifled boat howitzers were provided, of my fabrication, each with a sliding and field carriage, implements and ammunition, and four 6-pounder "Wiard" field guns, equipped so as to adapt them to be used in the same manner. Colonel Howard enlisted the men, caused the launches to be made, and secured two light-draught steamboats, as suitable for the purpose as possible. On one of these steamboats four guns were placed, and on the other one two, and each of the gunboats of the fleet was prepared to receive one or more of them, if exigencies should make it proper to use them in that manner. Notwithstanding the preparation was in a measure inperfectly made, from the fact that proper steamboats could not be procured in the limited time allowed for fitting out the expedition, these guns have borne an important part in every battle in that State, and have been spoken of by General Foster, as forming “an essential part of all coastwise expeditions to be fitted out in future." It has frequently been reported to me by officers in the army of North Carolina, that light-draught steamboats were necessary to the complete success of marine artillery, and Gen. Foster reported to the ordnance department that, "with the addition of a light-limber, the use of these guns need not be confined to the seacoast." Having been successful in constructing light-draught and fast steamboats for western rivers, I conceived the idea of designing a boat for the marine artillery, and when the Picket, which drew five feet of water, and was the best boat for the purpose in the Burnside expedition, was blown up by the explosion of her magazine, I exhibited the drawings of a boat that I had designed to Colonel Howard, and he expressed himself delighted with it. I had previously, at his request, designed a light-limber and harness, with which he was also so much pleased that he procured a requisition from Gen. Foster for twelve of them. I exhibited my plans for marine artillery equipment to Gen. Banks, and he so far approved of them that he directed me to provide for his expedition twelve guns, with car riages, launches, and all the equipment, except the steamboats, which there was no time to prepare before his expedition sailed, and he hoped to make up this deficiency from some of the light-draught steamboats that he might be able to procure at his place of destination. The organization of the marine artillery, for continuous active duty with light-draught steamboats, instead of the heavier ships of the navy, for coast, river, and land service, has created the necessity for a manual, in which a full and detailed description of the outfit and equipment of the guns, steamboats, and launches should be incorporated with instructions for the service of the guns on the steamboats, in launches and on shore, which, however, has not yet been provided. I have such a manual in preparation, and hold myself ready to complete it whenever the war department may request it, without charge for my services. By adopting so much of the equipment and service of the piece as is available from the naval boat gun service, we have a light artillery that much excels other light artillery yet adopted by the ordnance departments of the United States or foreign nations. For instance, five regiments of marine artillery would be supplied with sixty guns, sixty launches, and ten light-draught steamboats. Let us suppose such an armament attached to the army of the Potomac, for operation on Chesapeake bay and the rivers and creeks of Virginia; the men can be enlisted more readily than for any other branch of the service, from sailors in the lake and seacoast ports who are not fit for soldiers, and who will not enlist in the regular navy. From this source large additions to the forces would be received that would not otherwise be had. To insure its utmost efficiency, however, this branch of the service should receive complete official indorsement and recognition; then much dash and esprit-du-corps may be expected from it. The steamboats would be superior transports, when required for that purpose, and, when they are not engaged in active duty, could run up rivers and creeks that other steam crafts could not enter, for they draw but thirty inches of water when loaded. No wharves or docks would be required; such transports could run up the river bank or beach, to take on or put off their load. When the corps is not on active duty the men may go into camp on shore. Each boat can, upon an emergency, take five hundred men, and the launches easily fifty more each, to be towed; thus eight hundred men by this means could be transported along or across a river at each trip. The launches could be used for expeditions up rivers with oars; for an army crossing a river, or, as pontoon bridges; and the guns can be fired on the steamboats, and in one minute fired from a launch, manned and ready to dash ashore; the gun can be fired from the launch as the beach is reached, and in one minute changed to its field carriage, run ashore and fired from the beach; this feat has been repeatedly performed. When on shore, the guns on their light iron carriages are drawn by the crew, and if the roads are impassable for other guns, can be taken to pieces and carried in parts by the crew, by the use of the spars and straps provided as part of the equipment. If a raid is to be made far inland, limbers are provided, by which the gun and ammunition are drawn by horses. No arm of the service could be so effective as marine artillery in their launches manned with fifty sailors, armed with cutlass, pistol, and breech-loading carbine; each launch having a twelve-pounder rifled cannon, to protect the crossing of troops, or in laying a pontoon bridge, as at Fredericksburg, where such service had to be performed by infantry, with pontoon boats. The cost of preparation for five regiments with sixty guns would not be greater than the cost of ten batteries of field artillery with the same number of guns, and the "state of the roads" would not render their arrival at an appointed place at an appointed time uncertain. The proper equipment of marine artillery for a regiment with twelve guns is: Two light-draught steamboats, with supplies. Twelve launches, 8 feet wide, 30 feet long. Twelve boat howitzers. Twelve sliding carriages. Twelve limbers. Thirty horses and harness. One hundred and twenty ammunition boxes, with partitions for 10 rounds for the smooth bore howitzer, and 12 rounds for the rifle. Seventy-two spars, five feet long, three inches in diameter, for carrying guns. Two hundred straps for do. Twelve awnings for launches. Twelve lines, 200 fathoms in length, with spring hook at one end. Twelve sets of oars, boat hooks, and poles, for launches. Twelve boxes spare articles. Twelve sets of gun implements. Twenty-four pivot bolts for sliding carriages. Twenty-four grapnels, with 30 fathoms of line to each. Twelve pairs of skids for landing guns. Twenty-four tow lines for copper tanks, when overboard the launches. Twelve balls of strong twine. Four canvas slings to put horses overboard. Twenty-four corn sacks. Twelve wooden buoys. Twelve paulins. Six hundred boarding pikes, staves eight feet long. Six launches. THE STEAMBOATS, AND EQUIPMENT FOR ONE BOAT. Two anchors, 600 pounds each, 60 fathoms chain. One large kitchen range, and the usual cooking utensils for four hundred men. One set of cabin furniture for officers' cabin. Sixteen sets of state-room furniture, and bedding for three berths in each. Two ship's compasses for pilot-houses. One glass. Six copper magazine tanks for small arm ammunition. One portable forge for machine shop. One anvil for machine shop. One bench vice for machine shop. |