Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-18
How Ships Are to be Blown up in the
Future.

From the Modern Dpdaus-Greer.
Our equipment was the same as before, ey-
cept that half of us carried single 1O-pound
bomb instead of three 5-pound ones. We fol-
lowed the shore on the southern side of the
bay as far as Oakley Island, which borders it
in that direction. About a mile in the offing
were visible the lights of large steamer, the
first of the line. We knew that the next one
lay two miles beyond her, but from that dis
lance we could not make out her lights. Ar
rived al point almost directly above the YES
sci, halted my little party and explained my
plans, which were exceedingly simple. One of
the men, bearing q 1O-pound bomb was to de-
SEND cautiously until was near enough to
drop his bHrden into the funnel, after which he
was to rise upward again as fast possible.
The rest were to remain in readiness to repeat
The maneuver If it should fail the first time The
man selected at once began the descent,
and for few moments we strained our eyes
through the gloom vanly trying to follow his
movements. Presently a slight rattle was
heard; there was a bright flash and a stunning
report. The bomb had missed the funnel and
exploded on the deck. For "a few seconds there
voices; then shot was heard, a 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 a mile
In the unearthly glare could plainly see our
comrade fastening upward to rejoin us. Before
the intense brightness had gone out there was
second report, another rocket came hurting
ana screaming right among us, and burst into
great blazing stars above: The effect was in
ing to our plans. We were confused and daZ-
lied and must have been plainly visible to those
a third rocket came almost in the track of
the second. 1t was plainly impossible to re-
main where we were; but in spite OF the fam
ing, sulphurous masses that were falling like
rain of fire around me. balanced myself for
moment while found with my plumb line a
R0lnt o e1aety s oyer the ship Then oose
1T. heard the crash OF its fall upon the deck,
and deep muffied explosion, which told it had
wait to see, the end, but, striking off at my ut
most speed, blew a shrill blast on my whistle
to rally my followers, and held my course to-
ward the next ship. 1t was not easy now to
make out her exact position. Evidently
aroused by the commotfon, though probably
out luminous shells on the side nearest the
land. Each of these, bursting at a LOFTY eleva-
ton at a distance of about half a mile from the
which the smallest boat within the distance of
a mile might have been distinctly seen. The
a aeross f Oh drum beating to Quarters came
least would not be caught mapping. But
while within wide circle all was bright
yond the darkness, now denser than ever
from the contrast Her lights had all been ex-
tlnguished, 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
our success, while the intensity of vigilance
with which her crew scanned the surface of the
wafer prevented any eye beng turned toward
the sky. With a low whistle brought all nv
men around me, and, in 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
Inc rest OF us assembled to a greater height
Keeping as directly over the doomed ship as we
could in the darkness. For a few minutes
Wh1ch 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 intense blaze of the bursting
shells. the quivering light reflected from the
Illuminated circle of sea, and in the distance
the rockets which the other vessels 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 could not follow our
comrades movements in the darkness which
fortunately enshrouded him; but after some
minutes OF suspense deep, thunderous sound
was heard, followed, after few awful moments
by loud, confused shouting. The firing ceased:
the light OF the last shell went out like a diving
lamp; and through the darkness q horrible
rushing, gurging 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
q hole In her bottom. Say, Captain, shall we
go and try the other one? We NAV as
well make a complete job while we're about it."