Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-06-11
uObson's Plans.

81 shall go right into the harbor until
about 400 yards past the EStrclla bat.
terry, which is behind MORO Castle. |
don't think they can sink me before !
reach somewhere near that point. The
Merrimac has 1000 tons buoyancy, and
| shall keep her full speed ahead She
can make about ten knots. When the
narrowcSt part of the channel is reach.
ed shall put her helm hard a-port,
stop the engines, drop the anchors, open
the sea connections, touch off the tor.
pedocs and leave the Mcrrimac a wreck
lying athwart the channel. which is not
as broad as the Merrimac is long. There
are ten S-inch improvised torpedoes be-
low the water line on the Merrimac's
port side. They are placed on her side
against the bulkheads and vital spots
connected with each other by wire
under the ships keel. Each torpedo
contains cighty-two pounds of gunpow'
der Each torpcoois also connected with
the bridge, and they should do Their
work in II minute, and it will be quicl,
work, even if done in minute and Il
quarter.
"On deck there will be four men and
myself. In the cngine-room there will
be two other men. This is the total
crew, and all of us will be in our un
clothing, with revolvers and ammuni
tion in water-tight packing strapped
around our waists, Forward there will
be man on deck, and around his waist
will be a line, the other end of the line
being made fast to the bridge, on whicl,
| will stand. BY that mans side there
will be an AK. | will stop the engines
and shall jerk this cord, and he will
thus get the signal to cut the lashing
which will be holding the forward an
chor. He will then jump overheard and
swim to the four-oarcd dingy which we
shall tow astern. The dingy is full OF
life buoys and is unsuitable. In 1T arc
rifles. II is to be held by two ropes,
one made fast at her bow and one AT
her stern. The first man to reach her
will haul in the tow line and pull the
dingy on to the starboard. The next
to leave the ship are the rest OF the
crew. The quartermaster at the wheel
will not leave until after having put II
hard a.port and lashed it so. He will
then jump overheard. Down below
the man at the reversing gear will stor
the engines, scramble upon deck and
get over the side as quickly as possible
The man in the cngine.room will break
open the sea connections with sledgt
hammer, and will follow his leader into
the water. This last step insurcs the
sinking of the Merrimac whether The
torpedoes work or not,
All VIII BE on.
"By this time calculate the six mer
will be in the dingy and the Mcrrima'
will have swung athwart the channe
to the full length OF her 800 yards o.
cable, which will have been laid ou'
before the anchors were cut loose
Then all that is left for me to do is tt
touch the button. shall stand on the
starboard side of the bride. The ex
plosion will throw the Merrimac on hel
starboard side. Nothing on this sia'
of New York city will be able to rais'
her after that"
"And you expect to come out OF th''
nlivep" asked companion of the lieu
tenant.
"Ah, that is another thing" said th'
lieuten mt He was so Interested In th'
mechanical details Of the scheme ina,
no scarcely stopped to talk OF life an'
death, But In reply 70 freQuept CUES '
tions llobson said a.
49, 49, .IIM n XA.1&MMM