The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-10-25

will be daring spirits seeking to put the
crack vessels of the enemy out OF the
way by fair means or foul. In former
times such exploits took the nature of
"cutting out expeditions. 1t may come
to that again if torpedo Tenders keep
pace with the Improvements in destruc-
tive missiles. One of the last and the
greatest of historic affairs of the kind
occurred in the summer OF 1901, or
Brest. The combine French and Span
ish fleets lay in the harbor with the
British fleet under Admiral CORVALLIS,
outside, watching them. There were no
active hostilities, because Napoleon was
following up his Italian victories by
treaties with all the European powers.
One with Spain i'll March, 1901, had
brought about an active alliance; that
with England was to follow.
In the bay of Camaret, outside OF the
harbor, the French cruising corvet Che
vrette lay under some shore batteries.
The berth seemed safe against attack,
and, moreover, capital one to slip out
from through the English blockade.
PERHAPS the sons of old England took
the latter view. At any rate, the former
didn't impress them strongly, for they
set about her capture in the most daring
manner A band of volunteers in boats
from the frigates lying nearest proceed
ed to board her and carry her off cap
tive The attempt was made on the
night of July 20 and failed miserably.
The boats didn't keep together, some OF
the crews being overzealous and excited.
Order was wanting, and the officer IN
command seemed to exert no power
over the men. The faster boats outstrlp-
ped the others. Some Of those left IN
the lurch got lost and returned to their
ships. Those in the van slowed up at
the entrance to the bay mad waited I'M
til daylight for the force to unite. The
French Cd board the cruiser and along
shore saw the array and OF course took
alarm. Under the circumstances the
British could but abandon the project
for the time, which they did and put
back to the blockading feet. Next day
-Ae Chevrette weighed anchor and moved
10 safer quarters farther up the bay un.
der heavier batteries. A complement OF
soldiers was placed on board to bring
her fighting force up to nearly 800 men
and every means taken to strengthen her
power of resistance. Furthermore, a
punboat took moorings at the entrance
to the bay to do service as vedette.
However, there was a Gushing on the
English fleet, or many perhaps with his
spirit. The trial and failure had aroused
the sailor blood. On the very night
when the cruiser first rested in her new
berth 10 boats put off from the fleet and
rowed silently to the mouth of the bay
The chief of the expedition took his own
boat and five others and went in search
of the guardboat. Meanwhile the second
in command and apparently the master
mind of the expedition proceeded With
nine boats, containing $50 men, toward
the Chevrette. The leader of this detach-
ment was Lieutenant Keith Maxwell
His orders were to await the return OF
the chief and his six boats from the pre-
liminary expedition. After waiting q
long time Maxwell concluded that, since
it was six miles to the cruiser, not an
other moment should be lost. He gave
orders for the attack and proceeded tc
carry out the programme short handed
rather than lose his chance. Just so the
gallant Cushing acted. Everything he
had counted upon to favor his forlorr
hope in the destruction of the Alber
marie went awry. But "impossibilities
to the timid," said he and drove ahead
About an hour after midnight Max
wells nine boats approached the French
man, and, as expected, received show
er of canister and bullets from the yes
sells decks, soon increased by volleyi
from on shore. The little flotilla rowed
steadily on, in spite of the fusillade, ant