The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-01-22
THE BATTLE OUT
SIDE THE HEADS.

SIDE THE HEADS.
One morning, as Jack Delafield was
breakfasting ON board the cruiser
Idaho, a telegram was handed him
which he calmly proceeded to open; but
after glancing over it's contents, the
placid serenity of his countenance gave
way to look Of excitement. Jumping
up, he shouted to his lazier messmates
who had not yet emerged from their
staterooms, Boys, the war is on!'
In a second, heads were thrust out,
some of the posSesSors even venturing
into the ward room considerably more
en- desha billie than custom or regula-
tions permitted. But DelafieId's tele-
gram was of so much interest and i'm
portance that such trif1ing convention
alities were forgotten, and his curious
brother officers crowded round him,
clamoring loudly for the news.
Listen" said the lieutenant, "I'll
read it to you:
Washington, D. c., Oct. 20, 1S9-.
ITO Lieutenant John Delafield, u s.
N, o. S. S. Idaho, San Francisco Har-
Dor: Regard yourself detached from
Idaho. Proceed Immediately to the
Mare Island Navy Yard. Take COM
mand of the Bainbridge, and prepare
for active service at earliest possible
moment Commandant ordered to
place at your disposal every available
means to hasten work.
sHULRITRT Secretarv,
What do you fellows think of that?"
said Jack.
Lucky dogr'
Wish were in your place."
They all seemed pleased at Delaf1eld's
stroke of luck. Fortune was truly smil-
ing on him, for he had been selected
for this hazardous and important duty
out Of half hundred other officers of
his own rank, each one as eager as him
self to command the little craft, the
Bainbridge, Of which wonders were ex-
pected.
He had been chosen by the Secretary
of the Navy and had received his pre-
pcratory orders, which were to the ef-
feet that he would be retained on board
the Idaho until hostilities were immi-
nent, when he would be given his new
command. Meanwhile the work of fit
ting her for sea had been pushed at the
navy yard with all dispatch. The Balm
bridge was the first Of our new semi
submarine magnetic torpedo boats,
those marvels of American ingenuity
and skill.
Jack started for the navy yard at
ond {uir -.
commandant Admiral Dana, who told
him in his bluff, kindly way to go ahead
and fit out his craft as rapidly as pos
sible, taking whatever was necessary
for her equipment without the usual
formalities, adding cheerily: 1--WE can
attend to all that after you come back.
Delafield."
As he stands there before the admiral
receiving his instructions, let us glance
at the officer upon whom, perhaps, will
hang the result of the battle very soon
to be fought outside the Heads. Tall,
erect, and finely formed, Lieutenant
Delafield impresses one instantly as a
man Of no mean physical strength. His
face gives evidence Of courage, firm
ness and great will power-Just the at
tributes, in fact which should most
properly belong to the man ordered to
command an unknown quantity like
the Bainbridge, yet to be tried by the
test Of actual battle. When he leaves
the office Of the admiral, his elastic
step and easy carriage show that his
task has not overburdened him with
anxiety, but, on the contrary, indicate
confidence in himself and assurance of
his ability to carry the work before him
to q successful issue.
On his way down to the wharf where
the cambridge lay, he passed groups
of officers eagerly discussing the latest
news. All had some friendly or con-
gratulatory remark for him; but,
scarcely stopping to reply, he hurried
on board his new command. The Balm
bridge was one of the latest additions
TO our feet and while it was anticipat-
ed that she would accomplish great
things, the only real test had come
sooner than any one would have pro-
phesied. Workmen were swarming
over her in such numbers that she re-
sembled human bee hive. Her length
was probably in the neighborhood of
one hundred and fifty feet, but her
narrow beam and sharply sloping sides
made her appear like needle floating
on the water. She was painted an olive
green, to secure invisibility at night.
The most prominent objects In sight
on her deck were a low coming tower
and two elongated matches, one for
ward and one aft. There were for the dis
appearing magnetic torpedo guns, and
were arranged to protect the torpedoes
rGtil they were needed, at which time
the guns were elevated by electricity,
trained on the enemy and fired, the
whole operation requiring but a few
seconds. The motive power of the
craft was also electricity, obtained
from improved Tesla storage batteries
of the latest type, giving the boat a
speed of forty knots an hour.
Within two days Lieutenant Delafield
had completed the outfit of the Balm
bridge, and had stored on board four of