Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-28

iioo NC seen through the fog by her con-
sorts, and she seemed to be incapable of
making signals by sound. Therefore the
commander of the Adamant thought it
likely that until the fog rose the crab
! could not find his ship.
What that other crab intended to do
could be, OF course, on board the Ada
maht, only surmise, but it was believed
'liat she would bring with her torpedo
10 be exploded under the British ship.
| That one crab should tow her away from
possible aid until another should bring a
| torpedo to fasten to her stern post
seemed a reasonable explanation of the
ACTON OF the syndicate's vessels.
| The officers OF the AGainant little nm
dcFstood the resources and intentions of
Their opponents. Every vessel of the
| syndicate carried a magnetic indicator,
winch was designed to prevent collisions
with iron vessels. This little instrument
Was placed at night and during fogs at
the bow OF the vessel, and delicate arm
OF steel, which ordinarily pointed up
ward alta considerable angle, fell into a
| horizontal position when any large body
OF IRON approached within a quarter Of a
mule; ana, SO falling, rang q small bell.
It's point then turned toward the mass
/ of iron.
Soon after the log came on one OF these
indicators. properly protected from The
attraction OF the metal about it, was pat
INTO position on Crab G. Before very
long 1t indicated the proximity Of the
Adamant; and, guided By its steel point,
the crab moved quietly to the ironclad,
attached Itself 10 its stern post and
allowed the happy crew Of Crab X 10
depart coastWard.
v hen the fog rose the glasses Of the
Adanant showed the approach Of TO
CRAB, but it was observed in looking over
The stern that the begaarly devil fish
which had the ship in tow appeared 10
have made some change in il, back.
in the afternoon Of that d"v % truce
boat was sent from the rcpellor to t!c
Adaaant. 1t Was allowed to come
| alongside, hut when tie British CAPTAIN
/ found That the syudicatemertlvr renewed
its demand for his surrender be waxeG
/ tierccly angry, and cent The boat bacl.
1 with tho word that 10 further message
reed he sent 10 him unless it should ba
one complying with the conditions IL
had offered.
/ The syndicate now gave up the tau, OF
inducing the captain Of Tie Adamane to
sUrr ndor. Crab e vas commanded to
continue towing the great ship south
ward and to keep her we'll away from
tie coast. in order 10 avoid danger to
seaport towns and c0asting vessels, while
/ the repellcr steamed away.
Week after week the Adanant moved
southwark, roaring away with her grc.a
| Cl.n5 whenever an American sail came
within possible range. and surrounding
| herself with circle Of bursting bombs
| 10 let any crab know what it might OK
rcct ii it attempted to come near. Blaz-
ING and laundering, stern foremost but
/ stoutir she rode the waves, ready to
show tlIe world that she was an imprcg-
nable British battle ship, from which no
enemy could snatch the royal colors
which fioated high above her
1t was during the first week Of the in
voluntary cruise Of the Adamant that
the syndicate finished its preparations
lor what it hoped would be tie decisive
movement Of its campaign. 10 do this
q rcpeller and six crabs, al with e,,traor-
/ binary powers, had been fitted ont with
great care. and also with great rapidly,
tor the British government was working
night and day 70 get It's fleet OF ironclad3
il readiness for a descent upon the
American coast. Many Of the British
vessels were already well prepared for
ordinary naval warfare; Tut to resist
crabs additional defenses were necessary.
1t was known that the Ad&mant had
been captured. and consequently tho
manufacture Of stern jackets md beer
abandoned. hut it was believed that pro-
lection could lie etIectCally giren 10 rud-
ders and propeller blades by q new
method whichthe admiralty had adortc1
The repcller which was to take part in
tho syndicate'5 proposed movement had
been vessel Of the United States navy
which fer g long time had BEEN cut Of
commission and undergoing . course Of
very slow and desulrory repairs il .
1ocl- yard. She had always been con-
eidorol the most uEiuc1y craft in tho
eervice, and nearly every accident thct
could happen to q ship Lad happened to
her Years and years before. when &
would set cut upon q cruise, Ee- office
and crew would receive the humorou4
sympathy d thei, friends, and wager
were frequently laid IL regard to L!
different kinds OF lnishaps which might
bcfali this uuIiucl-y vessel, which WIS
then known as the Tallapooaa.
Tie syndicate did not particularly de-
sire this vessel. but there Was no other
that could rcadi}y be made available for
It's purposes, and accordingly the IalIa-
Ioosa was purchased from the govern
ment and work Immediately begun upon
her. Her engines and hull We're PHI
into good condition. and outside of her
was built another hail, composed Of
heavy steel arlnor plates and strongly
braccd by great transverse beams run
ming through Tie ship.
Still outside OF this was placed an i'm
proved system Of spring arnor, much
hronger and more effective than any
:,1, y-o+ Lan,, constructed TTlis