The Florida agriculturist., 1889-04-24

This was considered an adequate de-
fense against the nippers of a syndicate
crab; but as means of offense against
these almost submerged vessels novel
contrivance had been adopted. From a
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,
hoisted into horizontal position, loaded
with heavy charge, a wooden plug
keeping the load in position when the
gun hung perpendicularly.
If a 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. 1t
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 action. When under
way the crabs sailed somewhat elevated
above the water, but when engaged with
an enemy only a small portion of their
covering armor could be seen.
1t was surmised that under and be-
tween some of the scales of this armor
there was some arrangement of thick
glasses, through which the necessary OBJ
servation could be made; and it was be-
ieved that, even if the heavy perpen-
dictNar shots did not crush in the roof of
crab, these glasses would be shattered
by conclusion. Although this might ap-
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 dan
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 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 was 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
a 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
lated and armored as to be proof
against any known artillery in the
world.
She was 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,
l. L