The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1889-04-26


to get back to his vessel, and that he
would then open fire upon that craft.
The men who rowed the little boat
were 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 afterward the first
shot came from the Scarab@us. 1t
passed over Repeller No. 1, and that
vessel, instead Of replying, Immediately
steamed nearer her adversary. The
director-in-chief desired to determine
the effect of an active cannonadc upon
the new armor, and therefore ordered
the vessel placed in such position that
the Englishman might have the best
opportunity for using it as target.
The Scarabeus lost no time in availing
herself of the facilities offered. She was
a large and powerful ship, with heavy
armament; and, soon getting the range
of the syndicates vessel, she hurled bah
after ball upon her striped side. Repeller
No. ! made no reply, but quietly sub
mitted to the terrible bombardment.
Some Of the great shot Jared her from
bow 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
director-in-chief became satisfied that
the new armor had well acquitted itself
in the severe trial to which it had been
subjected. Some of the 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 1t 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 Scarabpus
was a much larger vessel than Repeller
No. l, and able to run into the latter and
sink her by mere preponderance of
weight.
1t was, therefore, decided to now test
the powers of the crabs. Signals were
made from Repeller No. to Crab A,
which had been lying with the larger
vessel between it and the enemy. These
signals were made by jets of dense black
smoke, which were elected from a small
pipe on the repeller. These slender col
umns of smoke preserved their cylindri-
cal forms for some moments, and were
visible at great distance by day or
night, being Illuminated in 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 a
instrument would mark it
upon paper.
In this manner Crab A was ordered to
proceed to the attack of
the Scarabaus. The almost submerged |
vessel steamed rapidly from behind her
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
'eplied to the orders from the repeller,
here was great amazement on board.
The crab had not been seen before, but
IS it came rapidly on there was no time
or curiosity or discussion, and several
leavy guns were brought to bear upon
t. 1t was difficult to hit q rapidly NOV
ng flat object scarcely above the surface
# the water; and although several shot
truck the crab, they glanced off without
n the least interfering with its progress.
Crab A soon camo SO near the Scara-
,eus that it was impossible to depress
he guns of the latter so as to strike her.
The great vessel was, therefore headed
oward its assailant, and under a full
lead of steam dashed directly at it to
un it down. But the crab could turn as
Ipon pivot, and shooting to one side
.llowed the surging inan-ofw war to passit.
Perceiving instantly that it would be
lif1icult to strike this nimble and almost
adversary, the commander of ]
he Scarabaus thought it well to let it
lone for the present, and to bear down
With all speed upon the repeller. But it
vas easier to hit the crab than to leave
behind. twas capable Of great speed .
nd, following the British vessel, it
uickly came up with her.
The course Of the Scarabaus was in
family changed, and every effort was
nade to get tho vessel into position to
un down the crab. But this was not
asy for SO large ship, and Crab A :
eemed to have no difficulty in keeping
lose to her stern.
Several machine guns especially adapt
d for firing at torpedo boats, or any hos
lie craft which might be discovered
ose to vessel, were now brought to
ear upon the crab, and ball after ball
as hurled at her. Some of these struck,
1T glanced off, without penetrating her
ugh armor.
These maneuvers had not continued
ng when the crew of the crab was ready 4
bring into action the peculiar appar-
us of that peculiar craft. An enormous y
If of iron forceps, each massive limb
which measured twelve feet or more in NJ
1gth, was run out in front Of the crab @
depth of six or eight feet below the 7,
rface. These forceps were acted upon -
an electric engine of immense power.
which they could be shut, openad
objected, withdrawn or turned and
listed. \
The crab darted forward. and in the
xt instant the great teeth of her pin III
s were fastened with a tremendous
p upon the rudder and rudder post of
, Scarabeus. VI
Then followed sudden twist, which y"
it thrill through both vessels, crash.
ackward jerk, the swapping of chain.
/ in a moment the great rudder, with
Il of the r1Idder mort attached was N