The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-10-01

Tesla storage batteries of the latest
type, giving the boat speed of 40 knots
an hour.
Within two days Lieut.. Delafield had
completed the outfit of the Bainbridge,
and had stored on board four of those
terrible engines of destruction, the
magnetic torpedoes, which were of the
ordinary cigar shape, having the en-
ergy for propulsion stored in heavy
fly-wheel revolving in a longitudinal,
vertical plane at rate of 10000 revolu-
tons minute. This application of the
principle of the gyroscope gave them
an almost unerring directness of path
under water, but, besides this, within
the secret chamber were concealed mag
nets of great strength, which drew the
torpedoes straight onward toward their
prey. No maneuvering, however skill
full, on the part of the commander Of
q ship attacked could avail against the
relentless power of these magnets, and
once a torpedo was launched fairly in
the direction of an enemy's vessel. her
doom was only matter Of seconds.
the explosion of $50 pounds of gun-cot-
ton would fulfill the mission of the tor
pedo, and cause the proud battle ship,
stricken in some vital part, to reel back
under the shock. then perhaps make q
feeble effort to escape. but in vain. In
q moment only a seething, bubbling
spot covered with wreckage in the midst
of the ocean would mark the grave of
a Goliath of the deep, done to death by
this marine David.
Little wonder then that Delafield had
every confidence in the cambridge. But
his spirits fell when he read in the
newspapers, few mornings after. that
large fleet of the enemy had left it's
rendezvous and was proceeding in the
direction of San Francisco. This fleet
consisted of eight first-class battle
ships, ten armored cruisers, together
with twenty protected cruisers and
smaller vessels. Against this array the
United States could only bring the bat
tie ships Oregon (flag). Iowa, Massachu-
setts, Indiana and Texas; the armored
cruisers Idaho, Maine and Brooklyn;
the protected cruisers Olympia,
Charleston, Columbia, Newark, Mime
apolis. Philadelphia and San Francisco,
as we'll as several gunboats. This feet
was anchored in the bay, cleared for
action and ready to proceed to sea as
soon as carrier pigeons from the scouts
should bring the news of the approach
of the hostile vessels. Near by were the
coast defense monitors Monterey, Puri-
tan, Terror, Amphitrite and Miantono-
NAH, and also Delaield's torpedo boat,
the Bainbridge. Jack had gone on
board the flagship Oregon as soon as he
had anchored after his run down from
the navy yard. in order to report to
Admiral Woodbridge and to receive his
orders. The admiral told him that it
was his intention to go outside, meet
the enemy, and, if possible, cripple him
to such an extent as to prevent the bonn
bardment of the city, and that the Balm
bridge and coast-defense vessels were
to be held in readiness to guard the
entrance to the harbor and cover the
retreat of the fleet in case it might be
compelled to withdraw.
When Jack left the admiral's cabin
he was confident he would have an op-
portunity to add fame to his own name
and fresh laurels to the long list of
daring naval achievements accom-
plished by John Paul Jones, Decatur,
Preble, cambridge (for whom his little
vessel was named). Biddle, Rodgers.
Farragut, Cushing and host of others.
Throughout the fleet that day there was
an expectant hush as of a gladiator rest
ing previous to some mighty effort.
All preparations were completed, final
letters written, and farewells said, for,
though each officer and man hoped for
a favorable outcome, everyone, even
to the meanest powder-boy, knew that
the morrow would most probably bring
struggle so terrible and deadly that
many of them would never return.
During the early morning twilight OF
the next day pigeon tluttered YEARLY
down to the cote OH the flagship, and Ill
alighting seta shrill electric bell to ring
ing. The faithful little messenger ha l
arrived with it's momeutous tidiEgs in
the shape of a tiny note in qnill Sc
cured firmly under its wing. This was
soon detached and conveyed to the adj
nliral. In less time than it takes to tell
it. the red and white signal-lights were
flashing out the order to get under
way. Soon the rattle Of chains was
heard as the anchors were hove up; and
when daylight broke the feet was seen
stealning majestically out through the
Golden Gate. the Oregon leading.
Everything was ready for action except
opening the magazine. getting out the
ammunition, and loading the guns. All
hands were intently scanning the hor;-
zon ahead and on each bow to catch the
first glimpse of the smoke Of the
enemy's fleet. The silence. punctuated
only by the rhythmic throb of the en-
gines. was at last broken by 'Sail ho!''
from the upper fighting-top.
"Where away:?" replied the officer OF
the deck.
"One point and half on the port bow,
sir-smoke!"
BEAT to general quarters" is instant
" ordered. The men spring to tn. guns.
sob ok 10,r1oJ. hn