The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-03-21

The repcI1ers had never been vessels of
great speed, and their present arnlor of
steel strips, the lower portion of which
was frequently under water, considerably
retarded their progress, but each of them
was taken in tow by one of the swift and
powerful crabs, and with this assistance
they made very good time, reaching their
destination on tho morning of the esecond
day.
1t was on q breezy day, with cloudy
sky, and the sea moderately smooth, that
the little fleet of tho syndicate lay to off
the harbor of one Of the principal Cana
dian seaports. About five miles away
the headlands Oh either side of tho mouth
of the harbor could plainly be seen. It
had been decided that Repeuer No.
should begin operations. Accordingly,
that vessel steamed about mile nearer
tho harbor, accompanied by Crab A.
The other rcpeller and crab remained in
their first position, ready to act in case
they should be needed.
The approach of two vessels, evidently
men-of-war, and carrying tho american
flag, was perceived from the forts and
rcdoubts at the mouth of the hartor,
and the ncws quickly spread to tho city
and to tho vessels In port. Intense cx-
citenent cnsued on land aud wnter,
among the citizens Of tho place as well
as its defenders. Every man who had a
post of duty was instantly Mt it: and in
less than half an hour the British man
of-war Scarabaus, which had been lying
at anchor n short distance outside tho
harbor, came steaming out to meet the
enemy. There were other naval vessels
in port, but they required moro time to
be put i'll readiness for action
As soon as the approach of Scarabeus
vas perceived by Rcpeller No. /, boat
bearing u white flag was lowered from
that vessel and was rapidly rowed to-
saw tho boat coming she lay to, and
waited its arrival. A note was delivered
to the captain of the eScarabspus, in which
it was stated that the syndicate, which
had undertaken on the part of tho United
States the conduct Of the war between
that country and Great Britain, was now
prepared to demand tho surrender Of
this city, with it's forts and defenses, and
all vessels within its harbor; and, as i
first step, tho Immediate surrender Of
the vessel to tho commander Of which
this note was delivered.
The overwhelming c1frontery OF this
demand caused tho commander OF the
Scarabseus to doubt whether lie had to
deal with . raving lunatic or q buster
Ing fool: but he informed - -~~-' ~
charge Of the flag Of truce boat that lie
would give him fifteen minutes In which
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 mcn-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 frs!
shot came from the Scarabseus. 1t
passed over Ropellcr No. 1. and that
vessel, instead of replyir.s. Immediately
steamed nearer her adversary. The
director chief desired to determine
the effect of an active cannonadc upon
the new armor, and therefore ordered
the vessel placed III such n position that
the Englishman might have tho best
opportunity for using it al target.
The Scarabseus lost no time il availing
herself of the facilities offered. Sho was
large and powerful ship, with Il heavy
armament: and. soon getting the range
of the syndicate's vessel. she hurled ball
after ball upon her striped side. Repellsr
No. made no reply. but quietly sub
mitted to the terrible bo,nbarlment
Some of the great shot Jared her from
bow to stern, but not one Of them broke
q 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