Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-14

would then open fire upon that craft.
 The men who rowed the little boat l wera not men-of-war's men, and were | unaccustomed to duties of this kind. In ! eight minutes they had reached their | vessel and were safe on board
 Just seven minutes aftcrward the first shot came from the Scarabmus. It passed over Repeller No. 1, and that vessel, instead of replying, immediately steamed nearer her adversary. The director or-in-chief desired to determine the effect of an active cannonade upon tha new arInor, and therefore ordered the vessel placed in such position that the Englishman might have the best opportunity for using it as target.
 The Scarabsaus lost no time in availing herself Of the facilities offered. She was a large and powerful ship, with heavy armament; and, soon getting tho range of tho syndicate's vessel, she hurled ball after ball upon her striped side. Repeller No. made no reply, but quietly sub ni:tcd to the terrible bombardment. Some Of the great shot jared her from DOW to stern, but not one of them broke a steel spring, nor penetrated the heavy inside plates.
 After half an hour of this work the directcr-in-c chief became satisfied that the new armor had well acquitted itself in the severe trial to which it had been subjected. Some of tho air buffers had been disabled, probably on account of faults in their construction, but these could readily be replaced, and no further injury had been done the vessel. It was not necessary, therefore, to continue the experiment any longer, and besides there was danger that the Englishman perceiv- ing that his antagonist did not appear to be affected by his fire, would approach closer and endeavor to ram her. This was to be avoided, for the Scarabaeus was much larger vessel than Repeller No. 1, and able to run into the latter and sink her by mere preponderance of weight.
 l. was, therefore, deciled to now test the powers of the crabs Signals were made from Repcller No. T. to Crab A, which had been lying with the larger vessel between it and the enemy. These signals werc made by jets Of dense black smoke, which were ejected from small pipe on tho repeller. These slender col uInns of smoke preserved their cylindri cal forms for some moments, and were visible at a great distance by day or night, being illuminated i'll the latter case by electric light. The length and frequency of these jets were regulated by an instrument in the directors room. Thus, by means of long and short puffs, with the proper use of intervals, mes- sage could be projected into the air as %~1. >l>, sk upon paper.
 In this manner Crab A was ordered to immediately proceed to the attack of the Scarabaus. The almost submerged vessel steamed rapidly from behind her consort, and made for the British man. Of-war.
 When the latter vessel perceived the approach of this turtle backed object, | squirting, little jets of black smoke as she | replied to the orders from the repeller, there was great amazement on board. | The crab had not been seen before, but as it came rapidly on there was no time for curiosity or discussion, and several | heavy guns were brought to bear upon it. It was difficult to hit rapidly nov ing flat object scarcely above the surface | struck the crab, they glanced off without in tho least interfering with it's progress. | Crab A soon came so near the Scara- baeus that it was impossible to depress tho guns of the latter so as to strike her. Tho great vessel was, therefore headed toward it's assailant, and under q full head of steam dashed directly at it to run it down. But the crab could turn as upon a pivot, and shooting to one side allowed the surging man-of-war to pass it.
 Perceiving instantly that it would be difficult to strike this nimblc and almost submerged adversary, the commander of the Scarabeus thought it well to let it alone for the present, and to bear down with all speed upon the repeller. But it was easier to hit the crab than to leave it behind. It was capable of great speed. and, following the British vessel, il
 quickly came up with her.
 Tho course of the Scarabeus was in.
 stantly changed, and every effort was
 made to get the vessel into position tc
 run down the crab. But this was not
 easy for so large a ship, and Crab A
 seemed to have no difficulty in keeping
 close to her stern.
 | CcFeldI AaSAAuc guns SoPCSAaAly siudPt
 ed for firing at torpedo boats, or any hos
 tile craft which might be discovered
 close to vessel, were now brought t<
 bear upon the crab, and ball after bal
 was hurled at her. Some of these struck
 but glanced off, without penetrating hel tough armor.
 These maneuvers had not continued long when the crew of tho crab wa!
 ready to bring into action tho peculiar
 apparatus of that peculiar craft. Al
 enormous pair of iron forceps, each mas sive limb of which measured twelve fee or more in length, was run out ill iron
 of the crab at depth of six or eight fee below the surface. These forceps wer' acted upon by an electric engine of i'm mense power, by which they could b. : shut, opened, projected, withdrawn O , turned and twisted.
 ,, The crab darted forward, and in tn , next instant the great teeth of her pin