The National tribune., 1901-01-10
WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY

the scow, and shortly afterwards it be-
gan to make its way under the water to-
ward it. The only visible sign of its ex-
istence was a large float that rested on
the surface of the water, and which was
connected with the vessel below, designed
to supply the men that operated it with
air. This float was painted dark green,
to initiate the color of the water. and
could only be noticed by the most careful
observer. As my operative listened to
full explanation of the machine and its
workings, she could scarcely control her
emotions of fear for the safety of the
Federal boats, in the event of its sue
cessful operation. and provided the Gov
eminent was not speedily warned of its
existence.
1t was learned that this vessel was
but small working model of a much
larger one, that was now nearly COM
pleted, and would be finished in about two
weeks, and would then be taken to the
mouth of the James River, to operate on
the war vessels guarding that port.
They had obtained an excellent posi-
ton, where they had full view of the
river, and with the aid of strong field
glass they could distinctly watch the large
float" which indicated the approach of
the vessel.
How do the men who operate the ma
chine manage to attach the magazine to
the vessel they design to destroy?' asked
Mrs. Baker.
Two or three men, who operate the
boat" replied the Captain, "are provided
with submarine diving armor, which en-
ableS them to work under the water and
attach the magazine to the ship intended
TO be blown up. They then have only to
quickly move away to Il safe distance,
fire their fuse, and the work is done"
The Captain also informed her that the
object was to break the blockade and al
low the steamers Patrick Henry and
being loaded with cotton and bound for
England.
SUCCESSFUL TRIAL.
While they were talking my operative
was closely watching, by the aid of her
glass, the movements of the boat. and she
now noticed that having approached with
in few rods of the Scow, it stopped, and
the water float" which indicated its po-
sition remained motionless. After re-
naming in this position for few min
utes it slowly began to recede from the
scow, in the direction whence it came.
1t moved steadily away some hundreds
of yards, and Mrs. Baker was wondering
at the seemingly long delay, when sud
denly, and without any previous warning
whatever, there was a terrific explosion,
and the scow seemed lifted bodily out of
the water and thrown high into the air.
Her destruction was complete, and there
was no longer any doubt that the subma-
rine battery could be used with deadly
and telling effect on the ships constituting
the Federal blockading squadron.
Those who witnessed the experiment
were, of course, much elated over the eff
cient work of destruction which had been
accomplished, and even Capt Atwater, in
his enthusiasm as a soldier. forgot tenn
l. L.
guised admiration of the ingenuity of the
invention and the effectiveness of its OPP
Grafton.
After their return home that evening
she made cOpious notes of what she had
learned and witnessed, which she safely
secreted about her person. The next day.
in company with the Captain, she visited
the Tredegar Iron Works, and inspected
the boat that was being built. 1t was
truly a Misunderstanding engine of de-
struction.
The next day, being Sunday, she re-
manned Mt the residence of the Captain,
and on Monday morning, having procured
a pass, she babe farewell to her host and
his amiable spouse, and left Richmond for
Fredericksburg. Thence she made her
way to Washington by the way of Leon
ardstown, and lost no time in reporting
to me the success Of her trip.
| Immediately laid my information be-
fore Gen. Mcclellan and the Secretary of
the Navy, who transmitted the intelli-
gence to the commanders of the squad
ron, instructing them to keep a sharp
lookout for the "water-colored surface
float" and to drag the water for the pur-
pose of securing possession of the air
tubes connecting the float with the vessel
below.
Nothing was heard from this for about
three weeks, but about that time I was
informed that one of the vessels of the
blockading feet off the mouth of the
James River had discovered the float, and
putting out her drag-rope, had caught the
air-tubes and thus effectually disabled the
vessel from doing any harm, and no
doubt drowning all who were on board.
This incident, and the popularity of
the machine, was duly discussed in the
newspapers at that time, who stated that
by a mere accident the Federal feet off
James River had been saved from de-
struction"-but l knew much better, and
that the real credit of the discovery was
due to a member of my own force. The
efficient manner in which this work was
performed was of great service to the Ma
ton, and sustained the reputation of the
Secret Service Department as being an
important adjunct in aiding the Govern
ment in its efforts to suppress the rebel
lion.
Cro be continued)