Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-11-04
THE
Great War Syndicate.
By FRANK R. STOCKTON.

Hundredth Man." 1.-The Casting Away
of Mrs. Lcclss and SIrs. Aleshine," 1.-THE
Dusantes." etc.
copyrighted by p. F. Collier OF Golfers Once
a Week. and published by special arrangement
wiki him through the American Press Associa
ton All rights reserved
CONTINUED.
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 a position where con-
nict with English line of battle ships
would be probable. There were many
thinking persons who saw the weight of
the syndicate's 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 a
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: everything was
done under the direct supervision of the
syndicate and its subordinates: and tn.
work went on with a definiteness 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 prepare
lions 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 syndicate's
vessels.
fitted out to engage in combat with re-
pellers and crabs. AS far as was posi-
bic the peculiar construction of the syn
licate's vessels had been carefully stud
led, and English specialists in the line Of
naval construction and ordnance had
given most earnest consideration tC
| 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 q defense against the screw ex-
tracing and ru(hder breaking crabs; and
to this end the Adamant had been fitted
with what was termed 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 IL means of otfense against
these almost submerged vessels novel
contrivancc 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 a heavy charge, q wooden plug
keeping the load in position when the
gun hung perpendicularly
If Il crab should come under the stern
this cannon could be fired directly down
ward upon her back, and it was not be-
lievcd that any vessel of the kind could
stand many such tremendous shocks II
was not known exactly how ventilation
was supplied to the submarine vessels of
the syndicate, nor how the occupants
servations during action. 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.
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-
loved that, even if the heavy perpen-
dicular shots did not crush in the roof of
a 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 necessitatc 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.
y 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 torpedo would be as dam
gcrous to the hull of one us 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-
nent 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
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 a
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 tho siege of the Canadian
port
The officers of the syndicate were well
..E IL, al. IL IL,