Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-01-04

M A4N'll l'iHt4N tl Al ldlt u iU,IUU IeNOIu-
tions minute. This application of the
principle Of the gyroscope gave them
an utmost uEerring 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
iul. on the part of the commander of
ship attacked could avail against the
relentless power of these magnets, and
once torpedo was launched fairly in
the direction of an enemy's vessel. her
doom was only a matter of seconds.
When the intended tar~2t was struck.
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 n
leebtc effort to escape, but in vain. In
moment only seething, bubblng
spot covered with wreckage in the midst
Of the ocean would mark the grave of
Goliath of the deep, done to death by
this marine David.
Little wonder then that Delafield had
every confidence in the Bainbridge. But
his spirits fell when he read in the
newspapers, few mornings after, that
large fleet of the enemy had left its
rendezvous and was proceeding in the
direction of San Francisco. This feet
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 (lag), Iowa, Massachu-
sets, Indiana and Texas; the armored
cruisers Idaho, Maine and BrookIyn:
the protected cruisers Olympia,
Charleston, Columbia, Newark, Mime
aPons. Philadelphia and San Francisco,
as we'll as several gunboatn. This fleet
was anchored In the bay, CLEARED for
action ard ready TO proceed 10 sea as
soon as carrier pigeons from the scouto
should bring the news of the approach
OF tue hostile vessels. Near by We're the
coast defense monitors Monterey, Puri-
tan, Terror, Amphitrite and Miantono-
NAH. and also Deafeld's torpedo bsat,
the Eairbridge. Jack had gone on
board the flagship Oregon as soon as he
had anchored after his rlu. down from
the rnvy yard, in order to report to
Admiral Woodbridge and tc receive his
orders. T:le admiral told him that it
was his intention TO so outside, meet
the enemy, and, If possible, cripple him
TO such an extent as to prevent the bonn
hardnent of the city, and that the Balm
l,,.i,l IL
to he held in readiness to guard the
entrance to the harbor and cover the
retreot of the fleet in case it might be
compelled to withdraw.
When Jack left the admiral's cabin
lie 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, Bainbridge (for whom his little
vessel was named), Biddle, Rodgers,
Farragut, Cushing and host of others.
Throughout the feet that day there was
an eEpectant hush as of a gladiator rest
ing previous to some mighty effort.
All preparations were completed, final
letters written, and farewels said, for,
though each officer and man hoped for
favorable outcome, everyone, even
to the mcanest powder-boy, knew that
the morrow would most probably bring
n struggle so terrible and deadly that
many of them would never return.
During the early morning twilight OF
the next day pigeon nuttered wcarily
Down to the cote On the flagship, and IN
alighting set shrill electric bell to ring
ing. The faithful little messenger had
arrived with its momentous tidings in
the shape of a tiny note in a quill Sc
cured firmly under its wing. This was
soon detached and conveyed to the adj
nirai. In less time than it takes to tell
IT, the red and white signal-lights were
tlaShHT out the order to get under
way Soon the rattle Of chains was
ard MS the anchors were hove up; and
".vu daylight broke the fleet was seen
stealning maiestically 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 We're intently scanning the hori-
2on ahead and on each bow to catch the
first glimpse of the smoke of the
enemys fleet. The silence, punctuated
only by the rhythmic throb of the en-
gines, was at last broken by "Sdil ho!"
from the upper fightingtop.
"Where away?" replied the officer Of
the deck.
"One point and a half on the port bow,
sir-smoke."
peat to general quarters" is instant
lv ordered. The men spring to tn guns,
which are at once loaded; the turrets
are trained from side to side and the
guns elevated and depressed to see that
everything is working smoothly. The
alarm proves 10 be false one, for the
vessel is made ont to be the San Fran
cisco, one of the scouts, steaming in at
| full speed She runs close to the flag
ship while the admiral questions her
commanding officer regarding the mum
| bers and course of the enemy, FOR the
purpose of verifying the pigeon