The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-16

ave Juc\ ItCclNcQ al important us
patch which has led TO my deciding on
abandoning the blockade of Noumea for a
time at least. The state OF affairs here
must have been cabled to France before
we cut the wire. 1t seems that the French
are endeavoring to unite their various
small squadrons and try conclusions nearer
home.
With this object in view. a fleet of
about our OWE strength is making its way
here to raise the blockade. Under the
guns of the shore batteries. and with only
one ship to three. we should have a poor
chance. Now 1 propose TO slip quietly away
tonight. and try to find the relieving feet
while L ave coal, crush it. and return
here TO continue the blockade; that is II
the Frenchmen have not seized the OPP
p~ortunity to escape. Then, send each ship
In turn TO coal at Sydney. Do you grasp
the situation?"
Certainly, sir"
well, how to keep the French in Nou-
mea without reducing my command to
such a strength as might lead TO an in
decisive battle with the relieving squadron,
for that must be smashed at any cost, is
the difficulty.
II propose TO leave one destroyer here.
From the m which I have re-
ceived 1 think that we might be back again
In three days. The probability is that the
French will regard our absence as a trick
to lure them away from shore, and will
not come out. Should they do so. it will
be the duty of the destroyer to delay them
as much as possible by a bold light. Each
hour they are delayed increases my chance
OF dealing with the two squadrons.
Now, it rests between you and tombstone
as to who remains. and L have given you
the first chance. OF course, you miss the
prospect of a general action, a brilliant,
opportunity for distinction"
The admiral paused for a reply, and
the lieutenant weighed the chances. To
continue the blockade meant being out
of an important action certainly. On the
other hand, at Noumea he would be left
to act upon his own discretion, and he
knew very we'll that the speed of the "Nim-
bic" as well as her shooting would enable
her to give a good account of herself,
though all the Frenchmen attempted to
fight their way out.
THANK you, SIR" he replied. ''as you
have been good enough to give me the
choice 1 prefer to remain here"
Thank you. That is as 1 should wish
it to be. Keep we'll out of range of the
batteries, take care of your coal-I wish
there was more of it-and II the French
men attempt to run, trust to your speed.
Hang on to their heels and delay them as
much as possible. Now. g~ood-byei' and
the bluff old sailor hurried the lieutenant
out of his cabin.
In the darkness OF the tropical night
four British ships stole silently out to sea.
whilst the little "Nimble" moved rapidly
backward and forward. casting her search
light on battery and harbor.
Three days had passed. and to the dis
gust of ali on board the "Nimble'' not a
movement had the Frenchmen made. The
admiral might be back at any moment
with the rest of the fleet to share their
laurels. But to the joy of all, next morn
ing a great cloud of smoke hung over the
channel, fed by tall moving columns that
rose high in the sultry air from a score
of tunnels. as the foe moved slowly down
in overwhelming numbers.
Rapidly the 'Nimble" closed towards the
harbor mouth, whilst every gun on shore
opened fire, churning the water around her
with heavy shells, which never found
the tiny mark as 1t flew towards the foe
at thirty-four knots an hour. Unscathed
the destroyer ran the gauntlet of those
terrible guns, turning and twisting like a
hunted hare as alone she advanced to give
battle to a fleet.
Already the first of the Frenchmen, a
ponderous battleship. had cleared the mar
row channel where but one could pass at
a time, and was making it's way TO the
north, hugging the coast, with a cruiser
following close in her wake. When with
in striking distance. the "NimbIe" dis
charged torpedo after torpedo in rapid
succession from both her tubes, now at
the retreating ships, now at the head. of
the channel through which their COM
panions must pass to gain the open.
Anxious eyes on board followed their
course as they sped shoreward, but
whittier the deadly engines went no man
could tell. Suddenly, as the third ship
lay between the two forts which guarded
the entrance, the water under the very
bows rose in a mighty column, carrying
the ship with it. till for an instant it
seemed TO stand on end. Then, with a
fearful plunge it fell. and slowly sank head
first, blocking the channel. A great cheer
| rose from the deck OF the NlmDle, rs
she dashed through the ring of fire which
girt her, leaving six Of the foe prisoners.
Though two large ships had gained the
open, they showed no inclination TO leave
the shelter of the batteries. but opened
fire from close in shore on the destroyer,
which now gave them her undivided at
tention. In spite of the heavy fire concen-
trated upon her, the "Nimble" gradually
closed upon them still untouched, thanks
to- her speed and the skillful manner in
which she was handled. Her supply oil
torpedoes was almost exhausted. but one
only had so far found it's mark, and the
four-inch gun. with which she replied &c
the fire of the foe, was poweriess to pene-
trate their thickly-plated sides.
SO the unequal battle went, till. in a lucky
moment, one OF the destroyer's last torpe-
does grazed the stern of the battleship and
carried away her steering gear. Helplessly
the great vessel swerved for one fatal in
slant straight across the bows of her con-
sort. which was dangerously close a col
lision was inevitable, and for a moment,
as il by mutual consent. the battle ceased.
Then, whilst men held their breath and
watched. the smaller vessel struck the larg-