Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1889-04-17


syndicate and its subordinates; and tho
work went on with a definiteness and
rapidity hitherto unknown in naval con-
struction.
In the midst of the syndic0te's labors
there arrived off tho coast of Canada the
first result of Great Britan's prepare
tons for her war with the American
syndicate, in tho shape of the Adamant,
tho largest and finest ironclad which had
ever crossed tho Atlantic, and which
, had been sent to raise tho blockade of
the Canadian port by the syndicate's
vessels.
This great ship had been especially
fitted out to engage in combat with re-
pcllers and crabs. AS far as was posi-
bic the peculiar construction of the syn
dicate's vessels had been carefully stud
led, and English specialists in the line of
naval construction and ordnance had
given most earnest consideration to
! methods of attack and defense most
likely to succeed with these novel ships
of war. The Adamant was tho only
vessel which it had been possible to send
out in so short time, and her cruise
WAS somewhat of an experiment.. If she
should be successful in raising the block
".lr Of the Canadian port, the British
&,.:ui2@lty would have but little difficulty
IA u>l!iNy with tho American syndicate.
,l>, 5a>st important object was to pro-
" = 4 defense against the screw eX-
gr> -,iG,3 and rudder breaking crabs; and
10 this end the Adamant had been fitted
T., I,t,> ~
This WAS q great cage Of heavy steel
lars, which was attached to the stern of
the vessel in such o way that it could
lie raised high above the water, so as to
u.IcT 10 impedimcrt while under way,
and which, in time of action, could be
Let down so as to surround and protect
the rulder and screw propellers, of
which the Adamant had two.
This was considered On adequate de-
fcase against the nippers of a syndicate
crab; but as a means Of offense against
these almost submerged vessels novel
co2trivance had been adopted. From q
great boom projecting over tho stern, a
large ships cannon was suspended per-
p>nAicularly, muzzle downward. This
gun could be swung around to tho deck,
koistel into horizontal position, loaded
with heavy charge, wooden plug
keeping the load in position when the
sun hung perpendicularly.
If crab should come under the stern
this cannon could be fired directly down.
ward upon her back, and it was not be-
ieved that any vessel of the kind could
stand many such tremendous shocks. It
was not known exactly how ventilation
was supplied to the submarine vessels of
the syndicate, nor how the occupants
were enabled to make the necessary OBJ
servations during cction. When under
way the crabs sailed somewhat elevated
above the water, but when engaged with
al enemy only small portion of their
covering arnor could be seen.
1t was surmised that under and be-
tween some Of the scales CT this armor
there was somo arrangement of thick
glasses, through which the necessary OBJ
seryation could lie made; and it was be-
lieved that, even if the heavy perpen-
dicular shots did not crush in the roof of
q crab, these glasses would be shattered
by conclusion. Although this might ap-
pear u matter Of slight Importance, it
was thought among naval officers it
would necessitate the 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 were fitted out with Cat
ling and machine guns, by which a
c1o Of bol1c r,,irht ha %ho
scales, through the glasses and into the
body Of the crab. In addition to their
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 Or torpedoes; for
with two vessels in close proximity, the
explosion Of q torpedo would be as dan
gerous to the hull of one as to the other.
The British admiralty would not allow
even the -tdanant to explode torpedoes
0: dynamite bombs under her own stern.
With regard to a repeller, or spring
2--Iorcl vessel, tho Adamant would rely
u2cl !sc- exceptionally powerful arma-
i-u2s and upon her great weight and
speed. She was fitted with twin screws
and engines Of tho highest power, and
it IVES believed that she would be able to
overhaul, ram and crush the largest
vessel, armored or unarmored, which
the syndicate would be able to bring
against her. Some Of her guns were of
immense caliber, firing shot weighing
nearly 1900 pounds and requiring half
ton of pow:ker 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 armored as to be proof
against any known artillery in the
world. 4
She was a floating fortress, with men
enough to make up the population Of
town, and with stores, ammunition and
coal sufficient to last for long term Of
active service. Such was the mighty
English battle ship which had come for
ward to raise the siege Of the Canadian
port.
The officers of the syndicate were well
aware of the character of the Adamant,
her armament and her defenses, and had
been informed by cable of her time Of
sailing and probable destination. They
sent out Repeller No. 2, with Crabs j
and K, to meet her off the Banks Of
Newfoundland.
This repeller was the largest and
strongest vessel that the syndicate had
ready for service. In addition to the
spring armor with which these vessels
were supplied, this sone was furnished
with second coat Of armor outside the
first, tho elastic steel ribs Of which ran
longitudinally and at right angles to
those of the inner set. Both coats were
furnished with a great number of i'm
proved air buffers, and the arrangement
of spring arnor extended five or six feet
beyond the massive steel plates with
which the vessel was originally armored.
She carried one motor cannon of large
size.
One of the crabs was Of the ordinary
pattern, but Crab K was furnished with
spring armor above the heavy plates
of her roof. This had been placed upon