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Cooper's Clarksburg Register
Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
A New York Journal of Commerce correspondent describes the 'Inferential Machine,' a crank-operated war engine invented by an American, recently bought for Gen. Walker's Nicaraguan army. It fires 300 one-ounce balls per minute, capable of destroying three regiments quickly. The inventor is testing it in England for the Admiralty, attracting interest from generals worldwide. The British offer £200,000 to scale it for 64-pound shots; Russians also bid. Previously offered to the U.S. government with successful demonstrations.
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A correspondent of the New York Journal of Commerce, alluding to the "Inferential Machine," which Gen. Walker's friends have recently purchased for his army in Nicaragua, thus explains its efficiency and deadly instrumentality:
In form it resembles a small grindstone turned by a crank, and will discharge 300 one-ounce balls every minute, attended by only two men. Every machine is calculated to destroy three regiments of soldiers in the same space of time. It can be directed with the same ease as a common rifle is handled.
The inventor, a Yankee, is now in England experimenting before the Admiralty, and a great many old Generals, of all countries, who evince much interest, and have written him letters expressive of their wonder and astonishment. One distinguished Polish General expresses himself to the inventor, "that as soon as this deadly weapon becomes in use, wars and rumors of war must cease." The gun, or machine, discharges without report, and sends the balls three times the distance of the ordinary rifle or cannon, as the case may be. The British government has offered the inventor £200,000 sterling, if he can enlarge his machine to discharge a 64 pound shot. This he is now doing, and informs his agent here he shall accomplish it. The Russian Minister at London is anxious for the patent, and has offered him his price; but he says to his friends, "I mean no other nation shall have it, but England, and my own country."
Previous to his going to Europe, he offered the right to the American Government at Washington. Experiments were made with one ounce and seven pound cannonades, before our naval and other officers, by order of the Secretary of State, which proves all I have related above and to the entire satisfaction of those present. One of these "infernal machines," placed upon the deck of a vessel, one of the Commodores remarked, "would sink a frigate in three minutes."
Such a constant discharge of balls, just as fast as they can be handled and rolled in, with the accuracy they can be directed, must inevitably destroy all before it, besides the great distance and out of danger of the enemy's guns.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
England
Key Persons
Outcome
british government offers £200,000 to enlarge machine for 64-pound shots; russian minister bids for patent; inventor prefers england and his own country; u.s. government demonstrations successful; machine calculated to destroy three regiments or sink a frigate in three minutes.
Event Details
The 'Inferential Machine' resembles a small grindstone turned by a crank, discharges 300 one-ounce balls every minute with two attendants, destroys three regiments in that time, directed like a rifle, discharges without report, sends balls three times farther than ordinary rifle or cannon. Purchased for Gen. Walker's army in Nicaragua. Inventor, a Yankee, experimenting in England before Admiralty, interest from generals including a Polish General who says it will end wars. Offered to U.S. government with experiments before officers by Secretary of State order, proving efficiency; one on a vessel would sink a frigate in three minutes. Constant accurate discharge destroys all before it from great distance.