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.
Tn the midst of the syndicate's labors
there arrived of the coast of Canada the
first result of Great Britain'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 the blockade of
the Canadian port by the syndicate's
vessels.
This great ship had been especially
/ fitted out to engage in combat with re.
pellers and crabs. Asfar Us 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
ado 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 q s'stern jacket
This was a 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
let down SO as to surround and protect
the rudder and screw propellers, Of
which the Adamant had two.
This was considered an adequate de-
Tense against the nippers of syndicate
crab: but as means of offense against
these almost submerged vessels q novel
Continuance had been adopted From o
great boom projecting over the stern, a
large ships cannon was suspended per-
pendicularly, muzzle downward. This
gun could be swung around to the deck,
heisted into horizontal position, loaded
with heavy charge, wooden plug
keeping the load In position when the
gun hung perpendicularly.
If crab should come under the, stern
this cannon could be fred 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 cotton. When under
way the crabs sailed somewhat elevated
above the water, but when engaged with
an enemy only small portion of their
covering armor could be seen.
It was surmised that under and be-
tween some Of the scales CT this armor
there was some arrangement of thick
glasses, through which the necessary OBJ
servation could be made; and it was be-
Eeved that, even if the heavy perpen-
dicular shots did not crush in the roof of
crab, these glasses would be shattered
by conclusion. Although this might APP
pear a 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
shower of balls might be sent under the
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 a torpedo would be as dam
gerous to the hull of one as to the other.
The British admiralty would not allow
even the Adamant to explode torpedoes
or dynamite bombs under her own stern.
With regard to a repeller, or spring
armored vessel, the Adamant 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 ives believed that she would be able to
overhaul, ram and crush the largest
vessel, armored or unarmored, which
tho syndicate would be able to bring
against her. Some Of her guns were Of
immense caliber, firing shot weighing
nearly 5000 pounds and requiring half
ton of powiter 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.
She was a floating fortress, with men
enough to make up the population Of Q
town, and with stores, ammunition and
coal sufficient to last for q 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 wei
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 Grabs ]
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 one 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 great number Of inn
proved air buffers, and the arrangement
of spring armor 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 e was furnished with
a spring armor above the heavy plates
of her roof. This had been placed upon