News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-05-28
A LONG LOOK AHEAD.
THE FUTURE OF NAVAL WARFARE
AS PREDICTED BY AN AUTHOR.
Vivid Picture of the Manner in Which
Iron Clads are to be Wiped Out.


Our equipment was the same as be-
fore, except that half of us carried a
single 10-pound bomb instead of three
5-pound ones. We followed the shore
on the southern side of the bay as far
as Oakley Island, which borders it in
that direction. About mile In the off
ing were visible the lights CT d 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
almost directly above the vessel, 1
halted my little party and explained my
plans, which were exceedingly simple.
One of the men bearing a 10-pound
bomb was to descend cautiously until
he was near enough to drop his burden
into the funnel, after which he was to
rise upward again as fast as possible.
The rest were to remain in readiness
to repeat the manoeuvre if 1t should fail
the first time. The man Sc
lected at once began the de-
scent, and for a few moments we
strained our eyes through the gloom,
vainly trying to follow his movements.
Presently a slight rattle was heard;
there was bright flash and stunning
report. The bomb had missed the fun
mel and exploded on the deck. For
few seconds there was dead silence, then
q confusion of many voices; then shot
was heard, a rocket whizzed up past us
and burst into thousand points of
dazzling brightness, which lighted up
with MONDAY clearness an area of more
than mile. In the unearthly glare we
could plainly see our comrade fastening
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 indescribably
magnificent, but sadly disconcerting to
our plans. We were confused and daz-
zled, and must have been plainly visible
to those on board. "Scatter, men, scat
ter |" l shouted as third rocket came
almost in the track of the second. It
was plainly impossible to remain where
we were; but in spite of the flaming,
sulphurous masses that were falling like
q rain of fire around me, balanced my
self for a moment while found with my
plumb line a point exactly over the
ship. Then I loosed my 10-pound shell
from its sling and dropped it. I heard
the crash of its fall upon the deck, and
deep muffled explosion, which told it
had broken through and burst below.
I did not wait to see the end, but, strik-
ing off at my utmost speed, blew a
shrill blast on my whistle to rally my
followers, and held my course toward
the next ship. It was not easy now to
make out her exact position. Evidently
aroused by the commotion, though
probably not understanding its cause,
she was throwing out lumi nous shells
on the side nearest the land. Each of
these, bursting at lofty elevation at
distance of about half mile from the
ship, diffused bright light over the
water, by which the smallest boat with
in 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 wide circle all was
bright as day, the vessel herself lay be-
yond 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 re-
ports, 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 success, while the
intensity of vigilence with which her
crew scanned the surface of the water
prevented any eye being turned toward
the sky. With low whistle [ 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 q greater
height, keeping as directly over the
doomed ship as we could in the dark
ness. For few minutes, which seemed
an age, we waited, looking down. No
grander or more striking SPECTACLE
could be imagined than met our gaze;
the quick flashes of the mortar, the in
tense blaze of the bursting shells, the
quivering light reflected from the illu-
minated circle of sea, and in the distance
the rockets which the other vessel con-
tinued to throw up. The third ship
was now burning bright lights, too, and
so brightly was the surface of the water
displayed that even so small an object
as the head of swimmer must have
been seen. But we had not long time
to admire this brilliant display. We
could not follow our comrades move
ments in the darkness which fortunately
enshrouded him; but after some min
utes Of suspense a deep, thunderous
sound was heard, followed, after a 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 hor.
rible, rushing, gurgling sound came up
to our ears. "That's the last of her."
said one of the men, in awe.struck
tones; 81 guess that shell has blown
hole in her bottom. Say, Captain, shall
we go and try the other one? We may
as we'll make n cOmDlate iOb while ware