Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-29

'NN'-ANNt w I'LL lllO tilttt IGtJSnGI anu crush
her, ii SO be they held together long
enough to reach her.
Inc commanders OF the torpedo boats
had orders to direct their swift messen-
gers OF destruction first against the crabs,
lor these vessels We're far in advance of
the repeller, and coming on with ra-
pidlty which showed that they were de-
'ermlned upon mischief. If a torpedo,
shot from a torpedo boat, and speeding
swiftly by its own powers beneath the
waves, should strike the submerged hull
OIL a crab, there would be one crab the
less IN the English channel.
AS mas been said, the Langaron came
rushing on, distancing everything, even
ne torpedo boats. If, before she was
ohliSed to lower her cylinder, she could
get near enough to The almost stationary
fepciler to take part in the attack ON her.
sac would then be content 10 slacken
speed and let the crabs nibho awhile at
her stern.
IWo OF the latest constructed and
largest crabs, @ aud r, headed at full
speed to meet the LlauGaron, who as She
came on, opened the ball by sending a
RATHER III the shape Of a J00-pound shot
INTO the ribs Of the repclcr. then at least
Tour miles distant, and Immediately after
began iiring her dynamite guns, which
were CT limited range, at the roofs Of the
advancing crabs.
there were some on board the repeller
VINO, att the moment the great shot struck
her, with ringing and clanGor of steel
springs, such a never was heard before,
wished that in her former state of ex-
istencc she had been some other vessel
than the Tallapoosa.
But every spring sprang back to its
place IS the great mass Of iron glanced off
into the sea. The dyn2mito bombs flew
over the tops Of the crabs. whose rapid
motions and slightly exposed surfaces
gave little chance for accurate aim, and
III short time they were too close t0{hc
L!angaron for this class Of gun TO be used
upon them.
As the crabs came nearer the Han
garon lowered the great steel cylinder
which hung across her stern, until it lay
almost entirely under water. and abaft
OF her rudder and propeller blades.
She now moved slowly through the
water, and her mon greeted the adyanc-
ing crabs with yells of defiance. and .
shower Of shot from machine guns.
The character Of the new defense
which had been fitted to the Ilangaron
was known to the syndicate. and the
Il hf tho L.,
stood the heavy piece Of work which
lay before them. But their plans OF &c
ten had been well considered. and they
made straight FOR the stern of the British
snip.
1t was, Of course, impossible 70 en-
dravor 10 grasp that great cylinder with
Its rounded ends: their forccps would
slip from any portion OF its smooth sur
face on which they should endeayor to
lay hoi1, and 10 such attempt was made.
Keeping near the cylinder one at each
end OF it. the two moved slowly after The
LIanGaron, apparently discouraged
in a short time, however, it w&s per
ceiVed hv those On board the slip. that %
change had taken place in the appear
anca of the crabs; the visible portion Of
lf-e~ hachS VAS growing larger and
larger; tAey were li7ln8 IN the water
hef named roofs became Nislhl9 from
end 70 end, anu tue crowd Of Observers
looking ,'o'Fh from the snip We're amazed
70 sec NhaI i9fse vessels 'l'9F were
higher and Ihshc: TIE cr&t' arose,
;ie!I powerful or pumps working at
''lelr 81 .atest cap&clty' until th~ir pom
ucfoua llhceFs BECAME visible above the
water men INT" Inc hln"8 Of the OIL
Gers Of the Ll2n&2ron flashed the true
object ot TINS uprising, winch to the
crew h"d seemed an intention on the
part OF the sea devils to ciam02r on
board.
ii the cJlhder We're lett IN lis present
/ position the CRAB might seize tha CHAINS
ny winch 1t WAS suspended, Wlille II 1t
were raised 1t Would cease TO be q dc
tense. Notwithstanding TINS latter con-
tln@eney, the order was qulclty given 10
raise the cylinder, but before lie hoist
ing engine had been set IN mo,ion Crab
y thrust forward hef toracpS over the
top Eof the cylinder and held u down.
I 80 lr1r, i,n Il