Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-29

OUR FIRST WAR STEAMER.-At the begin
| ming OF the present century, the navy of the
| young nation just rising on this continent was
possessed of some of the best vessels in the
world. Among them was the famous Consttu-
ton, which vessel is still in the service, having
been stationed at the naval academy as a school
ship for the last ten years.
About this date the steam engine was used to
prOpel vessels by means of paddle Wheels To
whom really belongs the honor of APPLYING
steam as motor for ships is a disputed point,
into the discussion of which it is not desirable
to enter; it is, however, pretty well settled that
Fulton was the first builder of a steamboat in
tended for traffic. The success of this vessel
was followed by great Improvements in that
line and rendered possible the grand system of
internal commerce for which this country is so
well adapted. In 1914 the same Fulton proposed
to build floating battery TOR the protection of
New 1o rk harbor, the vessel to be propelled by
steam with central paddle wheel This is the
first known proposition to use the new motive
power for war purposes. This vessel was to
carry twenty guns on her gun deck, and to
make a speed of four miles per hour
In addition to her armament on deck, it was in
tended that she should carry two submarine
guns on each bow, so as to strike an enemy be-
low the water-line; besides this provision was
made Tor throwing large body of water upon
an enemy at close quarters. The ship was
launched in November, 1914, in a little more than
four months from the laying of the keel by
Il
| trial trip took place in New York bay which
was great success. AT later period she made
a trip to sea, about twenty-siX miles from New
York, with all her coal and armament on board
attaining speed of nearly six knots. This for
mdable craft was named by her protector the
Demologos, but after his death she was called
the Fulton; she was used as receiving ship at
The New York navy yard after her completion
until 1929, when she was accidentally blown up
by the explosion Of powder in her magazine
Such was the first venture of our government
toward war steamers -Hdrpel's Magazine.
CAUGHT IN HIS OwN TRAP.-A girl, young
and pretty, and above all gifted with an air of
admirable candOr, lately presented herself be-
fore a Partisan lawyer.
Monsieur, have come to consult you on a
grave affair. ! want you to oblige man |
love to marry me in spite Of himself. How
shall ! proceed?"
The gentleman of the bar had, of course. a
sufficiently elastic conscience. He reflected a
moment, and then, being sure that no one over
heard him, replied hesitahngly:
"Madamoiselle, according to our law YOU al
ways possess the means of forcing a man to
marry you. You must remain on three oc-
casions alone with him; yOu can then 90 before
ajudge and swear that he is your lover"
"And will that suffice, Monsieur?"
Eyes, Madamoiselle, with one further CON
dition."
"Well%
lHtu, YOU Will pIDuucG Witnesses VINO VIII
make oath TO having seen you remain good
quarter Of an hour with the individual said to
have trif1ed with your affections"
Every well, Monsieur, | will retain you as
counsel in the management fthis affair. Good
day."
A few days afterwards the young lady re-
turned. She was mysteriously received by the
lawyer, who scarcely gave her time TO seat her
self, and questioned her with the most lively
curiosity.
Capital, capitalp
"Persevere in your design, madamoselle but
the next time you come TO consult me give me
the name Of the young man you are going to
make so happy in spite OF himself"
fortnight afterwards, the young lady
Knocked AZ the door Of the counsel's room, No
| sooner was she in than she flung herself into
| chair, saying that the walk had made her breath.
| less Her counsel tried to reassure her. made
her garments. w ""'oo'o
1T! ~ i useless, monsieur, she said, 81 am much
mortal" ''0 VI 'ue ioi'unate
wen, then, the fortunate mortal. be il known
| 10 you, Is Yourself said the young heant,,
bursting into laugh 81 love Won. / have Neon
here three times tete-a-tete with Won. and NV
four witnesses are below ready and willing ~
accompany me TO magistrate" pravely con.
tinued the narrator S''
The lawyer thus caught had the pood sense
not 10 get angry. The most singular fact Of aIl
is that he adores his young wife who makes
an excellent bousekeeper.