The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1889-07-05
tho rudder and screw propcllers, of

This was considered an adequate de-
Tense against tho nippers Of q syndicate
crab; but as a means of offense against
these almost submerged vessels IL novel
contrivanco had been adopted. From u
great boom projecting over the stern, q
large ships cannon was suspended per-
pendicularly, muzzlo downward. This
gun could be swung around to the deck,
hoisted into horizontal position, loaded
with a heavy charge, a wooden plug
keeping the load in position when tho
gun hung perpendicularly.
If u crab should come under the stern
this cannon could be fired directly down
ward upon her back, and it was not be-
lievel that any vessel of tho kind could
stand many such tremendous shocks. 1t
was not known exactly how ventilation
was supplied to the submarine vessels of
the syndicate, nor how tho occupants
were enabled to mako the necessary OBJ
servations during action. When under
way the crabs sailed somewhat elevated
above the water, but when engaged with
an enemy only q small portion of their
covering asnlor could be seen.
1t was surmiscd that under and be-
tween bomo of the scales of this armor
there was some arrangement of thick
glasses, through which the necessary OBJ
servation could DO made; and it was be-
ieved that, even il tho heavy perpen-
dicular shots did not crush in the roof of
a crab, these glasses would be shattered
by conclusion. Although this might ap-
pear matter of slight Importance, it
was thought among naval officers it
would necessitate tho withdrawal of a
crab from action.
In consequence Of the idea that the
crabs were vulnerable between their
overlapping plates, some Of the Ada
mant's boats We're fitted ont with CAT
ling and machine guns, BY which 4
shower Of balls might be sent under the
scales, through the glasses and into the
guns these boats would be supplied with
other means Of attack upon the crab.
Of course it would be impossible to
destroy these submerged enemies by
means Of dynamite q torpedoes; for
with two vessels i'll close proximity, the
explosion Of q torpedo would be as dam
gerous to the hull Of one as to the other
The British admiralty would not allow
even tie Adamant to explode torpedoes
or dynamite bombs under her own stern.
With regard to = repeller, or spring
armorea vessel, the Adalnant would rely
upon Her exceptionally powerful arma-
ment and upon her great weight and
speed. She Was fitted with twin screws
and engines Of the highest power, and
it was believed that she would he able to
overhaul, ram and crush the largest
vessel, arInore1 or unarmored, which
the syndicate would be able to bring
against her. Some Of her guns were Of
immense caliIoer, firing shot weighing
! nearly 1000, pounds and requiring half
Il ton Of powder for each charge. Be.
sides these she carried an UNUSUALLY
large number Of large cannon and two
dynamite guns. She was SO heavily
plated and armorel as to lie proof
against any known artillery ia the
world.
She was Il floating fortress, with men
enough to make up the population of q
town, and with stores, ammunition aud
coal sufficient TO last for a long term of
active service. Such was the mighty
English battle ship which had come for
,
port
The officers Of tho syndicate were well
aware Of the character Of the Adamant,
| her armament and her lcfcnses and had
been Informed by cable of her time of
sailing and probable destination. They
sent out Repcl!cr No. Z, with Crabs J
and X. to meet her OH the Banks of
| Newfoundland.
THIS repelcr was the largest and
strongest vessel that the syndicate had
| ready for service. In addition to tho
I spring urmor with whis.l these vessels
were supplied, this one was furnished
/ with second coat Of ailnor outside tho
( first, the elastic steel ribs Of which ran
lonstudinally and at right angles to
those of the inner set. Both coats were
/ furnished with a great number of inn
| proved air buffers, and tho arrangement
of spring arlnor extended five or six feet
( beyond the massive steel plates with
/ which the vessel was originally armorcd.
/ She carried ono motor cannon of large
! size.
/ One Of the crabs was of the ordinary
! pattern, but Grab K was furnished with
| spring urmcr above the heavy plates
of her roof. This had been placed upon
her after the news had been received by
| tho syndicate that the Adalnant would
carry perpendicular cannon over her
stern, but there had not been time
enough to fit out another crab in the
same way.
| When the director in charge Of repeller
No. first caught sight of the Adamant,
and scanned through his glass the vast
proportions of tho mighty ship which
was rapidly steaming toward the coast,
he felt that q responsibility rested upon
him heavier than any which had yet
been borne by an officer Of the syndicate,
but he did not hesitate in the duty which
he had been sent to perform, and imme-
diately ordered the two crabs to advance
to meet the Adamant, and to proceed tc
action according to the instructions
which they had previously received
His own ship was kept, in pursuance Of
orders, several miles distant from tbs
British ship.
As soon as tho repcller had beer
sighted from the Adamant q strict look
out had been kept for the approach Of
crabs, and when the small exposed por
tions of the backs Of two Of these were
perceived glistening in the sunlight The
speed of tho great ship was slackened
Tho ability of tho syndicate's submerged
vessels to movo suddenly and quickly il
any direction had been clearly demon
strated, and although great ironclat
with ram could run down and sink .
crab without feeling tho conclusion, i
was known that it would be- perfectl,
easy for the smaller craft to keep out o
tho way of its bulky antagonist. There
foro tho Adamant did try to ram th'
crabs, nor to get away from them. He
commander intended. if possible, to rul
down one Or both of them, but ho die
not propose to do this in tho usual way
To be continuedl.
Song Writer'S Neglected Grave.
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