Tesla's Latest - He Demonstrates How a Torpedo Boat Can Be Blown to Destruction

CHICAGO, May. 15. — Nikola Tesla touched a lever in the banquet hall of the Auditorium and the members of the Commercial club witnessed the strange sight of a miniature torpedo boat 20 feet from the seat of power show every sign of life.

The propeller whizzed around, the rudder moved, and the boat was lighted throughout by electricity. To climax all, a shot was heard, the bow of the little wooden model poured forth flame and smoke, and all the effect and dramatic action of a torpedo leaving its place was observed by the onlookers.

All this without any connecting wires! This performed by the mere pressure of a lever attached to a box resembling that used by the telegraph companies for the purpose of calling a messenger, with the boat perfectly insulated.