The Florida agriculturist., 1889-04-24

u0re was COmp1SCeQ, QlQ not 90 outside
the cape. When her officers perceived
with their glasses that the Lenox was
returning to port stern foremost they
opined what had happened, and desiring
that their ship should do all her sailing
in the natural way the Stockbridge was
put about and steamed, bow foremost
to her anchorage behind the breakwater,
the commander thanking his stars that
for once the Lenox had got ahead Of
him.
The members of the syndicate were
very anxious to remove the unfavorable
impression regarding what was called in
many quarters their attack upon a
United States vessel, and a circular to
the public was issued in which they ex-
pressed their deep regret at being obliged
to interfere with SO many brave officers
and men in moment of patriotic en-
thusiasm, and explaining how absolutely
necessary it was that the Lenox should
be removed from position where con-
fict with English line of battle ships
would be probable. There were many
thinking persons who saw the weight of
the syndicates statements, but the effect
of the circular upon the popular mind
was not great.
The syndicate was now hard at work
making preparations for the grand stroke
which had been determined upon In
the whole country, there was scarcely
man whose ability could be made avail
able in their work. who was not engaged
in their service; and everywhere, in
foundries, workshops and ship yards, the
construction of their engines of war was
being carried on by day and by night
No contracts were made for the delivery
of work at certain times; evelything was
done under the direct supervision of the
syndicate and it's subordinates; and the
work went on with defniteness and
rapidity hitherto unknown in naval con-
struction.
In the midst of the syndicate's labors
there arrived off the coast of Canada the
first result of Great Britain's prepara-
tions for her war with the American
syndicate, in the shape of the Adamant,
the largest and finest ironclad which had
ever crossed the Atlantic, and which
had been sent to raise the blockade of
the Canadian port by the syndicates
vessels
This great ship had been especially
fitted out to engage in combat with re-
pellers and crabs. AS far as was posi-
BILE 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 the 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
ade of the Canadian port, the British
admiralty would have but little difficulty
in dealing with the American syndicate.
The most important object was to pro-
vide defense against the screw ex-
tracing and rudder breaking crabs; and
to this end the Adamant had been fitted
with what was termed ''stern Jacket.
This was great cage of heavy steel
bars, which was attached to the stern of
the vessel in such way that it could
be raised high above the water, SO as to :
offer no impediment while under way,
and which, in time Of action, could be