The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-05-16
THE MODERN pEDALus.
How ships are to be Blown Up In "a
Near Future.

How ships are to be Blown Up In The
Near Future.
Our equipment was the same 40 be-
fore, except that halt of us carried a
single ten-pound bomb instead of three
fve-pound ones. We followed the shore
on the southern side of the bay rs far as
Oakley Island, which borders it in that
direction. About a mile in the offing
we're visible the lights of a large steamer,
the first of the line. We knew that the
next one lay two miles beyond her. but
from that distance we could not make
out her lights. Arrived at point al
most directly above the vessel, halted
my little party and explained my plans
which were exceedingly simple. One of
the men. bearing q ten-pound bomb,
was to descend cautiously until he was
near enough to drop his burden into the
funnel. after which he was to rise up
ward again as fast as possible. The
rest were to remain in readiness to re-
peat the mannuvre if it should fail the
first time. The man selected at once
began the descent, and for a few mo-
ments we strained our eyes through the
gloom, vainly trying to follow his move
ments. Presently a slight rattle was
heard; there was bright flash and q
stunaing report. The bomb had missed
the funnel and exploded on the deck
For few seconds there was dead silence,
then a confusion of many voices; then
shot was heard, rocket whizzed
up past us and burst into a thousand
points of dazzling brightness, which
lighted up with MONDAY clearness an
area of more than mile. In the I'M
earthly glare we could plainly see our
comrade Fastening upward to rejoin u.s.
Before the intense brightness had gone
out there was second report, another
rocket came hurtling and screaming
right among us, and burst into great
blazing stars above. The effect was in
describably magnificent, but sadly dis
concerning to our plans. We were con-
fused and dazzled, and must have been
plainly visible to those on board. ..Scat-
ter, men. scatter!' shouted as third
rocket came almost in the track of the
second. 1t was plainly impossible to
remain where we were; but in spite of
the flaming, sulphurous masses that
were falling like rain of fire around
me, / balanced myself for a moment
while found with my plumb line a
point exactly over the ship. Then l
loosed my ten-pound shell from its sling
and dropped it. heard the crash OF
its fall upon the deck, and a deep
muffied explosion, which told it had
broken through and burst below. did
not wait to see the end. but, striking of
at my utmost speed blew shrill blast
on my whistle to rally my followers,
and held my course toward the next
ship. 1t was not easy now to make out
her exact position. Evidently aroused
by the commotion, though probably not
understanding its cause, she was throw
ing out luminous shells on the side
nearest the land. Each of these. bursting
at lofty elevation at a distance OF
about half mile from the ship, diffused
a bright light. over the water, by which
the smallest boat within the distance of
a mile might have been distinctly seen.
The rattle of drum beating to quarters
came across the water. and it was clear
that she at least would not be caught
mapping. But while within a wide cir
Gle all was bright as day, the vessel her
self lay beyond in the darkness. now
denser than ever from the contrast.
Her lights had all been extinguished,
and the only clues to her position were
the frequent flashes of her mortar and
the dull reports, as shell after shell was
sent up. This was the very thing we
wanted. The darkness in which she
was shrouded was necessary to our sue
cess, while the intensity of vigilance
with which her crew scanned the sur
face OF the water prevented any eve
being turned toward the sky. With .
low whistle l brought all my men
around me, and, in a few words,
directed one who carried large shell
to descend low over the vessel, and
make quite sure that it dropped into the
funnel He was then to shoot away to
the dark side as quickly as possible. The
rest of us assembled to greater height,
keeping as directly over the doomed ship
as we could in the darkness For a
few minutes, which seemed an age
we waited. looking down. No grander
or more striking spectacle could be i'm
agined than met our gaze; the quick
flashes of the mortar, the intense blaze
of the bursting shells, the quivering
light reflected from the illuminated cir
Gle of sea, and in the distance the rock
cts which the other vessel continued to
throw up. The third ship was now
burning lights too, and so brightly was
the surface OF the water displayed that
even so small an object as the head of a
swimmer must have been seen. But
we had not long time to admire this
brilliant display. We conld not follow
our comrades movements in the dark
ness which fortunately enshrouded him;
but after some minutes of suspense q
deep thundcrous sound was heard, fol-
owed, after few awful moments, by
loud, confused shouting. The firing
ceased; the light of the last shell went
out like dying lamp; and through the
darkness a horrible rushing, gurgling
sound came up to our ears. "That's the
last of her," said one of the men, in
awe-struck tones; II guess that shell
has blown hole in her bottom. Say.
Captain, shall we 60 and try the other
oneP We may as well make a complete
job while we're about it.-Greer.
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