Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-27

"iAiSh ~ Haet DeeI1 possible to send
OUT IN SO short a time, and her cruise
was somewhat of an experiment. If she
s1ouid DC successful in raising the block
ace OF the Canadian port, the British
aalnifalty would have but little difficulty
IN dealing with the American syndicate.
Inc most important object was to pro-
wac defense against the screw ex-
tfacting and rudder breaking crabs; and
10 thiS end the Adamant had been fitted
Win WHAT was termed a "stern Jacket"
Inns was great cage of heavy steel
vars winch was attached to the stern of
the vessel in such way that it could
be raised high above the water. so as to
oiler no impeachment while under way,
ana winch, IN time of action, could be
let down SO as to surround and protect
the rudder and screw propellers, of
which the Adamant had two.
Inns was considered an adequate de-
fense against the nippers OF a syndicate
crap; out as means of offense against
these almost submerged vessels novel
cohtrlvance had been adopted. From a
great boom projecting over the stern, a
i"ise shlpS cannon was suspended per-
penclcularly, muzzle downward. This
gun could be swung around to the deck,
hoisted INTO horizontal position, loaded
with heavy charge, a wooden plug
keeping the load in position when the
gun hung perpendicularlv.
Ii crab should come under the stern
TINS cannon could be fred directly down
ward upon her back, and it was not be-
Aeved that any vessel of the kind could
stand many such tremendous shocks. 1t
was not known exactly how ventilation
was supplied to the submarine vessels of
the syndicate, nor how the occupants
were enabled to make the necessary OBJ
servations during action. When under
way the crabs sailed somewhat elevated
above the water, but when engaged with
an enemy only q small portion of their
covering armor could be seen.
twas surmised that under and be-
tween some of the scales of this armCr
there was some arrangement of thick
glasses, through which the necessary OBJ
servatlon could be made; and it was be-
Heved that. even if the heavy perpen-
dicular shots did not crush in the roof of
CRAB, these glasses would be shattered
by conclusion. Although this might APP
pear Il matter of slight Importance, it
was thought among naval officers it
would necessitate the withdrawal Of a
crab from action.
In consequence Of the idea that the
crabs were vulnerable between their
overlapping plates, some of the Ada
mant's boats were fitted out with Cat
ling and machine guns, by which
shower of balls might be sent under tho
scales, through the glasses and into the
body of the crab. In addition to their
guns, these boats would be supplied with
other means of attack upon the crab.
OF course it would be impossible to
destroy these submerged enemies by
means of dynamite or torpedoes; for
with two vessels i'll close proximity, the
explosion of q torpedo would be as dam
gerous to the hull of one as to the other.
The British admiralty would not allow
even the Adamant 10 explode torpedoes
or dynamite bombs under her own stern.
" 1ti1 A1S,ttAo " ~ ItlbGlicL, VI S[lLluG
armored vessel, the Adamant would rely
upon her exceptionally powerful anna
ment and upon her great weight and
speed. She was fitted with twin screws
and engines Of the highest power, and
it was believed that she would be able to
overhaul. ram and crush the largest
vessel, armored or unarmored, which,
h.
against her Some of her guns were OF
immense caliber, firing shot weighing
nearly 2.0G03 pounds and requiring half
ton Of powder for each charge. Be-
sides these she carried an unusually
large number Of large cannon and two
dynamite guns. She was so heavily
rlated and armored as to be proof
against eny known artillery in the
world.
She was floating fortress. with men
enough to make up the population of
town, and with stores, ammunition and
coal sufficient to last for long term of
active service. Such was the mighty
English battle ship which had come for
ward to raise the siege Of the Canadian
port.
The officers Of the syndicate were well
aware of the character of the Adamant
her armament and her defenses, and had
been informed by cable of her time OF
sailing and probable destination. They
sent out Repeller No. 7, with Crabs }
and X, to meet her Off the Banks of
Newfoundland.
This repeIler was the largest and
strongest vessel that the syndicate had
ready for service. In addition to the
spring armor with which these vessels
were supplied, this one was furnished
with a second coat of armor outside the
first, the elastic steel ribs of which ran
longitudinally and at right angles TO
those of the inner set. Both coats were
furnished with a great number of I'M
proved air buffers, and the arrangement
of spring armor extended five or six feet
beyond the massive steel plates with
which the vessel was originally armored.
She carried one motor cannon of large
size.
One of the crabs was of the ordinary
pattern, but Crab K was furnished with