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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 3, 1916)
THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAT?", PORTTANIJ. SEPTEMBER 3, 191G. lean Engineer. Inven ts NewAgency of Destruction Which May Cause Cities to Collapse and Strongest Fortifications ioCrumple i A TORPEDO designed to burrow its way through earth and rock and on detonation to cause cities to collapse and the strongest fortinca tions man has devised to crumble is the Instrument of destruction which an American engineer and inventor, Clifford P. Marye, purposes to add to the scientific agencies which make inodern warfare terrible but effective. The Marye subterrane, as the de Vice has been named, was conceived 20' years ago. when the inventor was in terested in mining operations. Its cost was prohibitive for such peaceful pur suits as digging tunnels into hillsides. Today the French government is in vestigating its practicability, with a view to acquiring the European patent fights from the inventor. The subterrane resembles in Its oper ation nothing so much as a gigantic, rigid mechanical earthworm. Its "shredding head" Is a maw which will feed on the gravel, sand, earth or clay rwhich may obstruct Its course as vo raciously as that of its prototype, but on a vastly greater scale. Its "spiral flight conveyer" constitutes a digestive tract, in which this "mass" or "food," Is assimilated and converted intowhat the mining engineer calls "muck." ., Electricity Drives Forward. !' The ejected material, by operation of "propulsor," is rammed by plungers into a "wake" as solid as the medium through which the head of the sub terrane has eaten its way. When fur ther compression of the "wake" is no longer possible, the driving power of these same plungers compels the sub terrane forward. Electricity is the propelling power, supplied through a cable which the machine pays out as It moves forward. The subterrane does not eliminate the earth displaced, any more than a marine torpedo eliminates the water through which it speeds. No bore or orifice remains to mark its passage, except that filled by its cable. The subterrane goes into the earth, and the earth closes In behind it. No man accompanies this engine of destruction. It is guided and governed by the engineer in command, stationed at the switchboard to which the cable is attached. When the subterrane reaches Its destination he pushes a button and detonates the explosive stored in the chambers of the machine. That completes the instrument's mis sion. . .. Neither the "cutting" nor shred ding" head nor the plungers are de scribed, for obvious reasons. As the muck is broken down It passes through apertures in the shredding head and thence to the spiral flight conveyer, extending from B to B on. the plan. The revolution of this spiral. Just like that of an enormous meat grinder, forces the muck to the rear. The plungers at the rear are de vised to perform two distinct opera tions. One is the spreading of the muck In a uniform film over the rear' wall of the space in which the sub terrane lies. This is accomplished by a rotary motion. The other operation is the driving operation, which rams the muck firm and shoves the subter rane forward. The motion of the plungers in this operation Is transla tory, or reciprocal. The revolution of the plungers Is intermittent- It cannot be performed contemporaneously with the reciprocal motiori. When the predetermined amount of muck has been spread over the rear wall the revolving of the plungers is stopped, and hydraulic pumps which actuate the reciprocal mo tion are set in operation. In order that the operator may have knowledge of the conditions the sub terrane is encountering and the pro cesses going on within it michophones are placed at convenient locations ad jacent' to Its functional parts. These .microphones are connected by wire with k 'if mm y-r HL I ' S" f'; r """'S . i u , r i "j"it i "V .itjummjigirT 11 " .n -.r.T' Vy ij.imJm irH.Wuil WWIl l J'l l i J".1"!. '!! , telephone receivers. They record and transmit to the engineer the detail of operation. He will soon learn to de-' tect by ear if any vital part of the machine is laboring at a disadvantage. The microphones will enable him to tell when to cease operating the cutting head, the spiral flight conveyer or the rear plungers in their rotary motion and to start the driving motion of the plungers which will cause the subter rane to advance. There are two 600-horsepower elec tric motors within the subterrane. One of these actuates the cutting head and also the spiral flight conveyer. The other serves to compel the plungers to perform their revolving function. The reciprocating or driving func tion of the plungers is set in opera tion by four 30-horsepower electric motors, which operate in concert. If the material through which the subterrane Is passing is of soft con- sistency, as earth or loam, then these operation. The cutting head is so de plungers may be allowed to perform signed that about six feet of it may their full drive before the cutting oper- be worn away before a vital part of ation of the head is halted and the the subterrane would be involved, but rotary motion, by which the rear wall the destruction of which would stop is ount up oenina me macnine, De- gun. But if the mass penetrated be of hard consistency, as stone, the process becomes very slow. In the forward central part of the subterrane chamber, marked A, the ex- plosive is stored. This chamber may be made of any desired capacity. The "fins" on the outside shell of the subterrane serve to prevent the rigidity, in conjunction with the firm rotation of the subterrane itself. They grip of its "fins" against any oscilla are provided in greater number than tory movement, he asserts, will make actually needed to prevent rotation, it proceed without variation of a frac because under the stresses to w-hich tion of a degree, regardless of the they will be subjected they occasion- character of the mass encountered, ally will be torn from the shell of the The direction of the subterrane will subterrane as It advances through the be maintained even if it encounters earth. broken formation. If a ledge of stone. Forward of the hydraulic pumps Is or a boulder, extend partially across the cable chamber, with a capacity for nve miles or caDle, which Is paid out through an .opening In the center of the plungers in -the rear of the sub- terrane. .Damage to the cable from movements of the muck as it is com- pressed by the plungers Is prevented by the insertion of a tube, which ex- tends far enough to the rear to put me actual iree exit or tne caoie beyond the danger point. To start the subterrane a trench must be dug. Into which the device Is lowered. The trench should be a foot longer than the subterrane to allow for the initial play of the plungers. When the exact location of the point of attack Is determined and the sub- terrarie is "aimed," the motors operat- ing the hydraulic pumps are started. The cutting head is made of a grade m A) '3 I Bugs! mm njLM TI t If mi m ' V 1:9 t l TV VAH a 'r, m m m i l s of steel -which develops its "greatest efficiency when working at cherry red heat, a temperature which probably will be engendered by the friction of lunner progress. jjirecuy connected with the cutting head is apparatus for breaking up the muck and reducing It to a size the spiral flight conveyor can handle. Mr. Marye asserts that no obstruction within the earth will be able to deviate the subterrane from its course once It is "aimed." Its great length and its its path, it will either be pushed aside by the powerful hydraulic pressure de- veloped or broken down and "digested" in muck. The inventor admits, however, that the subterrane will not be able to make a lengthy journey through solid granne xormaiion. nere tne mass en- countered consists alternately of strata or eartn ana stone, or Doulders of any size encased in earth, the device's prog- ress will not be impeded, he says; but where the formation met is solid gran- ite the radius of the subterrane will be limited and Its progress slow. The subterrane cannot be operated In water nor any watery substance, nor in very soft, yielding material like quick- sand. It will not operate above ground, In the event that by accident or in- tent it should work its way to the sur- i- A' lV- Q face, it would emerge completely from the earth and come to rest. The subterrane will propel Itself at a speed of from 40 to 100 feet an hour, or from one-sixth "to one-half mile In a 24-hour day. The maximum distance It may travel is not known, but five or six miles is expected. The skill of tho engineer In charge, his knowledge of the terrane traversed and the physi- cal conditions encountered will be lm- portent factors in this estimate, Enormous Exploaive Charge. Tho Inventor has designed two sizes of subterrane. The larger has a diam- eter of 8 feet, a length of 42 feet wi.a the plungers In normal position, and of 48 feet with the plungers extended. and a weight of approximately 40 tons. The capacity of the explosive chamber in this (design is 400 cubic feet. The smaller model has a 5-foot diam eter, a length of 30 feet normal and !i feet wltft ' plungers extended, and a weight of 15 tons. The cost of the first machine of this type will be $24. 000 and of subsequent ones $6000. The first machine will require 12 weeks to construct. Its explosive chamber meas ures about 100 cubic feet. The radius of operation of this model is three miles, its rate of progress from 4 to 60 feet an hour. It will contain two 100- horsepower and one 10-horsepower mo- tors. This form is adapted particularly to undermintl and explode the enemy's trenches and smaller positions The underlying principle of this de- vice has been tested on Staten Island with two small models, each about a foot long. The first test, on Decent- ber 13, 1914, was through sand. After a successful trial the device was re- covered. The second test was made in July. 1915. The subterrane this time penetrated through sand, earth, clay impregnated with boulders, loose rock, roots of trees and other obstructions, It progressed to the full length of its S t 59 So Mother Won't Know cable and buried itself in the hills of Staten Island, from which it has not been dug because of the expense. One of the difficult problems which the Inventor has had to encounter is the generation of heat by the opera- tion of the subterrane. This heat, it will readily be seen, i3 enormous, as no provision can be 'Shade for ventilation, To prevent this heat reaching a point where it would interfere with the op- eration of the subterrane several""ex- $30,000 IS PRICE OF HOMER THE pic IE auction record for an American Icture is S42.800. It waa obtained by Mr. Thomas E. Klrby at the sale by the American Art Galleries of the col- lection of Mr. Emerson McMillan for a landscape by Inness. This auction record occasionally is approached by prices at private sale. It was during the last season that the Worcester Art Museum purchased through the Snedecor Galleries, of New York City, Winslow Homer's picture "The Gale." .for 130.000. At one time this picture was in the gallery of Wil liam Schaus. He asked J750 for it. but was unable to sell it. Finally his i . ,, v, .am but because he disliked it. "It disturbs the whole gallery" was his dictum. In the museum bulletin "M. E. S." gives some information regarding the picture. "The Gale' is signed and dated "Winslow Homer, 1893."' It was bought by Mr. Thomas B. Clarke, of New York, who for years was a constant purchaser of Winslow Homer's paint ings, both in oil and water color. In that year, 1893, the picture was one of 15 of Homer's oils exhibited at the -woria-g Columbian Exposition in Chi- cago. where it received the gold medal, under the title "The Great Gale." At V' J f X pedients have been utilized. While the operative machinery of the machine is steel, its outer shell has been made of iron, which radirftes heat more quickly than the stronger form of the metal. The motors are purposely designed to be capable of generating; twice as much horse-power as will be utilized in actual operation. Working to meet this low requirement, they will heat up much more slowly. To protect the ammunition chamber the time of the sale of Mr. Clarke s collection, in 1899, it wae bought by Mr. T. Harsen Rhoades. of New York, a"d later came into the possession of Mr. Rhoades' daughter. Mrs. B. Ogden Chisholm. of New York. Mr. Rhoades paid J1675 for it. Thus it rose in price from $750 to $1675 in 1S99 and $30,000 In 1916. a very satisfactory record for an American painting. The picture was painted when the artist -was 57 years old and thus be longs to that fine decade from 1886 to 1896 in which were produced such works as "tight Bells" (18S6), "The West Wind (1891), "The Fox Hunt" (1893) and "The Maine Coast (1S96). The picture hardly needs its title for explanation, the gale. Everything In it tells of A woman, probably a fisherman's wife, is coming along the shore, her small son carried on her back, his eyes staring out partly in fear and partly in the zest of adventure over the edge of the shawl In which he is held. One can feel the slow difficulty with which even one so solidly sturdy as she makes her way against the wind that buffets her heavy skirt, carries her apron streaming and flapping behind her and flingw out the short, coppery locks of the little boy. ' VfV-YV Same'A At from premature explosion from the heat, air chambers ha,-e been designed to completely surround it. They will be lined on either side with asbestos. Mr. Marye asserts that the walls of the air chambers furthest from the explos ive may under these conditions reach a red heat without setting off tho destructive agency within the device. The subterrane was first offered to the United States Government. The French Minister of Inventions on July 15 addressed an inquiry to the In ventor for further details and terms. Mr. Clifford P. Marye. the inventor of this device, was born in Selma, Ala.. February 21. 1S64. He has ha! an ex tensive commercial experience through out the South and Middle West. Until about 1900 he was a practical printer. Interesting himself much in machinery details. Ho has several Inventions in mse. UGANDA AFTER 40 YEARS. Yonder is the vivid green hill on whose summit Daudi's grandfather. King Mtesa, received Henry M. Stan ley, who sent the challenge to British Christians leading the Church Mission ary Society to establish its Uganda. Mission, its first two representatives arriving at the capital June 30, 187". That progressive, fickle, cruel poten tate in turn encouraged Christianity and killed its converts, as did his suc cessor. King Mwanga. On a level stretch below the build ings is the football field where we first met the youthful King, watching from the regal mat, which we were invited to share, his favorite game. With all the enthusiasm of a Yale or Harvard "rooter" and in as good English as theirs taught him by the missionaries and an Oxford tutor Daudi recounted the exploits of Uganda's best eleven, which proved to be the King's all-star team. The following day we attended the consecration of the just-completed, royal chapel near the palace, where we were seated at the King's left and later knelt to receive communion second, from His Highness. Going from the chapel to the palace, we enjoyed the amenities of a royal tea, after which the King took us into his study, where to our astonishment we saw a battery driven aeroplane, largely constructed by him under the supervision of his tutor. Onco more we saw the "King on April 1. the date when all the tribes come up to the royal hill "to knot up the year." The great courtyard was filled with porters from all over the kingdom who had brought thither tribute, while their chiefs were there to legislate in the Parliament House, a primitive Westminster in arrange ment of seats, etc. Ushered In with a flourish of trum pets, the thumping of drums and un earthly grunts of the royal bandmas ter, the young King descended from his throne, placed on hyena, leopard and lion skins, greeted us most graciously and introduced us to the Prime Min ister, Sir Apolo Kagwa. who in youth. because a Christian, had been gashed. beaten and compelled to flee for his life by the King's father. About 300 of the chiefs present were Christians, while the fezes of perhaps 30 others proclaimed them Moslems. The assembly was far more orderly and the proceedings more to the point than is the case in our National House or Senate and in England's Parlla-ment- These three royal sceens are a para ble of what missions have accom plished. for--the royal house and the national capital. Harlan P. Beach In World Outlook. France's underwear and knit r"o3s In dustries are encounterinr eertous difficulties Junt now. owing- to the ahorrage of needlaa. Tiles were imported formerly from Eng land, Spain and Su-ltierland. which now prohibit the exoortfttion of needles. Horn 4 X .