The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-03-21
WATER LINE
OF CRsp A sH1

SECTION OF CRAB 4, SHOWING NIPPERS.
A. bomb proof roof; E. water line; c. interior
Of crab: D. joint of nippers; E. arms Of nippers;
FE, rods OF nippers connecting with electric en-
gine: g. teak lining to crab.
This proceeding astonishcd tho COM
mandcr and officers of the ScarabRus
almost as much as the extraordinary at
tack which had been mado upon their
ship They had expected demand to
surrender and haul down their flag. but
the director-in-clief on board Repeller
No. was of tho opinion that with her
propeller extracted it mattered little
what flag she flew. His work with tho
Scarabnus was over; for it had been or
dered by tho syndicate that its vessels
should not cucumber themselves with
prizes.
Towed by tho powerful crab, which
apparently had no fear that its disabled
adversary might fire upon it. the Scara-
baeus moved toward the harbor, and when
it had come within q quarter of mile of
the foremost British vessel, Crab A cast
off and steamed back to Repeller No. /.
The other English vessels soon came
up, and each lay to and sent a boat to
the Scarabaeus. After half an hours
consultation, in which the amazement Of
those on board the damaged vessel was
communicated to the officers and crews
of her two ccnsorts, it was determined
that the smaller of these should tow tho
disabled ship into port, while the other
one. in company with man-of-war just
coming out of the harbor, should mako
Oft ,,y,o IDoDollor NJ
1t had been plainly proved that ordin-
airy shot and shell had no effect upon
this craft, but it had not been proved
that she could withstand the rams Of
powerful ironclads. If this vessel, that
apparently carried no guns, CT ut least,
had used none, could be crushed. cap
sized, sunk, or in any way put out of the
fight. it was probable that the dangerous
submerged nautical machine would not
care to remain in these waters. If it re-
NAMED it must be destroyed by torpe-
does.
Signals were exchanged between tho
two English vessels, and in q very short
time they were steaming toward the re-
pellcr. 1t was a dangerous thing for two
vessels of their size to come close enough
together for both to ram an enemy at the
same time; but it was determined to
take the risks and do this, il possible;
for tho destruction Of the repeller was
obviously the first duty in hand.
As the two men-of-war rapidly ap-
preached Repellcr No. 1, they kept up .
steady fire upon her, for if in this way
they could damage her, the easier would
be their task. With firm reliance upon
the efficacy of the steel spring ar,nor. the
director-in-chicf felt no fear Of tho
enemy's shot and shell, but he was not at
all willing that his vessel should be
rammcd, for the consequences would
probably be disastrous. Accordingly h..
did not wait for the approach of the two
vessels, but steering seaward, he signaled
for the other crab.
When Crab B made its appearance,
putting its little black jets of smoke as
it answered the signals of the director-in-
chief, the commanders Of the two Brit
ish vessels were surprised. They had
imagined that there was only one Of
these strange and terrible enemies, and
had supposed that she would be afraid to
make Der peculiar attack upon one Of