The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1889-07-05
state of affairs roso almost to revolt.

state of affairs roso almost to a revolt. |
Tho great naval preparations of Eng
land We're not yet complete, but single
British men-of-war wero now frequently
seen off the Atlantic coast Of the United
States. No American vessels had been
captured by these since the message of
the syndicate to the Dominion of Canada
and the British government. But one
good reason for this was tho fact that it
was very difficult now to find upon the
Atlantic ocean a vessel sailing under the
American flag. AS far as possible these
had taken refuge in their own ports or in
those Of neutral countries.
AT tho mouth Of Delaware bay, behind
tho great Dreakwater, was now collected
u number of coastwiso sailing vessels and
steamers of various classes and sizes; and
for the protection of these maritime
refugees two vessels of the United States
navy were stationed at this point. These
were tho Lcnox and Stock bridge, two Of
tho finest cruisers in the service, and
commanded by two of tho most restless
and bravcst officers Of the American
navy.
The appearance carly on a summer
morning of Il large British cruiser off
the mouth of the harbor filed those two
commanders with uncomfortable bellig-
ercncy, That in time Of war a vessel Of
the enemy should be allowed, undis-
t,lrbed, to sail up and down before an
American harbor, while an American
vessel filled with brave American sailors
lay inside like comed dog, was u
thought which goaded the soul of each
of these commanders. There was q GER
tain rivalry between the two ships, and
considering the insult offered by the
Haunting red cross in tho ofiing, and tho
huniliating restrictions imposed by the
naval department, each commander
at al IF tho other.
1t was almost at tho same time that
the commanders Of the two ships sepa-
rately came to the conclusion. that the
proper way to protect the fleet behind
the brcakwater was for his vessel to
boldly steam out to sea and attack the
British cruiser. If this vessel carried q
long range gun, what was to hinder her
from suddenly running III closer and
sending few shells into the nlisl4t os
the lcfcnseless merchantmen? In fact,
to 60 out and fight her WAS the only way
to protect the lives and property in the
harbor.
1t was true that one of those beastly
repellers was sneaking about off the
cape, accompanied, probably, by an
under water tongs boat. But us neither
of these had done anything OF seemed
likely to do anything, the British cruiser
should be attacked without loss Of time
When the commander of tho Lcnox
came to this decision, his ship was well
abreast of Capo Henlopen, and he there
fore proceeded directly out to sea. There
was q little fear in lis mind that Tie
English cruiser, which was now bearing
10 the southeast, might sail off and get
away from him. The Stockbrdge was
detained by the arrival Of a dispatch
boat from the shore with q message from
the naval department. But as this mes
sage related only to the measurements of
a certain deck gun, her commander in
tended as soon as an answer could be
sent off, to sail out and give battle to the
British vessel
Every soul on board the LenoS WAS
now filled with fiery ardor. The ship
was already in good fighting trim, but
every possible preparation was nlado for
contest which should show their coun-
try and the world what American sailors
were made Of
The Lcnox had not proceeded more
than q mile out to sea when she per-
ceiyed Repeller No. coming toward her
from scaward, and in a direction which
indicated that it intended to run across
her course The Lenox, however, went
straight on, and in {; short time the two
vessels were quite near each other, Upon
the deck Of the repellcv now appeared
the director in charge, who, with q
speaking trumpet, haiied the LenoN and
requested her to lay to, as lie had some
thing to communicate. The commander
Of the Lenox, through his trumpet, an
swercd that he wanted no commuuica-
tions, and advised the other vessel TO
keep out Of his way.
The Lcnox now put on q greater head
of steam, and as she was in any case a
much faster vessel than the repellcr, she
rapidly increased the distance between
herself and the syndicatc's vessel, SO that
in a few moments halllng was impossible.
Quick signals now shot up in jets Of black
smoke from the repeller and in a very
short time aftcrward the speed Of tho
LcnoX slackcned SO much that the repel-
Ter was able to come up with her.
When the two vessels were abreast of
each other, and at a safe hailing distance
apart, another signal went up from the
repcller, and then both vessels almost
ceased to move through the water, al
though the engines of the Lenox were
working at high speed, with her propel
Ter blades stirring up 4 whirlpool at her
! stern.
| For minute or two the officers of the
| Lenox could not comprehend what had
happened. 1t was first supposed that by
mistake the engines had been slackened
| but almost at the same moment that it
was found that this was not the case, the
discovery was made that the crab ac-
companying the repeller had laid hold Of
the stern post Of the Lenox, and with all
the strength of her powerful engines was
holding her back
Now burst forth in the Lenox storm
of frcnzied rage, such as was never seen
perhaps upon any vessel since vessels
were first built. From the commander
to tho stokers every heart was filled with
fury Mt tho insult which was put upon
|
his trumpet that if that Internal sea
beetle were not Immediately loosed from
his ship lie would first sink her and then
the repeller.
To these remarks the director of the
syndicate's vessels paid no attention, but
proceeded to state as briefly and forcibly
as possible that tho Lenox had been de-
tanned in order that he might have an
opportunity of speaking with her com
mander, and Of informing him that his
action in coming out of the harbor for
the purpose of attacking British vessel,
was in direct violation of the contract
between the United States and tho syn.
dicate having charge Of the war, and
that such action could not be allowed.
The commander of the Lenox paid nc
more attention to these words than the
syndicatc's director had given to those
he had spoken. but Immediately com.
menced violent attack upon tho crab
It was impossible to bring any of the
large guns to bear upon her, for she was
almost under the stern of tho Lenox, bu1