The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1906-06-01

pounds of Calnite. a new explosive
whose force operated always down
ward. The bomb contained also q mag
net and circuit-breaker SO tuned as to
be responsive to electrical vibrations
set up in a powerful electrical instru-
| ment on the discharging ship. By the
use Of a unique range finding appara tus
| the bomb was kept in sight during its
whole flight, and upon reaching the
desired point 1t was exploded by the
| mere pressure Of a button on the ship
| rom which 1t had been fired. Tests
| with this bomb had shown wonderful
accuracy and most deadly effects.
Another offensive device was an aerial
iilinlnator-a small, balloon-like AFFAIR.
arranged to float at a considerable ele.
walton, and carrying a powerful chem.
zeal light, backed by strong refiectors.
A shoal OF these illuminators would be
sent toward the enemy's fleet, lighting
up the sea and the vessels and making
easy targets for the German guns.
Against these devices the French had
prepared an aerial bomb to discharge
heavy and deadly gas, and to sprinkle
aclos or explosives upon the ships of
the enemy. They were also provided
with aluminium armOr. SO thick and
tough that an ordinary projectile would
merely become imbedded therein and
held fast without being able to pass
through. Around their ships and under
water they hung large electro-magnets,
exerting. by peculiar wiring, repell-
ing influence on approaching torpedoes
at distance. of hundred yards. in
variably turning them aside. Their
malnstay, however, was new centrifu-
gal submarine torpedo-boat, which
needed not to come to the surface, re-
naming down for days at a time, yet
observing operations on the surface,
and doing its work with deadly accu-
racy. LeFevre could not give me the
details of this strange machine. It's
terrible effectiveness, however, was ap-
parent the next day.
I had no apprehension whatever as to |
the stability of L'Aimee, and we lay
down and went to sleep that night |
without the least apprehension. Stanch |
and true was she, even as my own sweet |
betrothed. 1t was still dark, when |
was awakened with a start by the |
sound of heavy detonations below US. |
I leaped to my feet and looked over the |
side Of the car. LeFevre joined me the
next moment.
The Germans had evidently planned a
night attack by the use of their illumi-
majors. Below us the sea was alight
In great spots, and dimly we could
make out the vessels over which shone
IN the darkness we could see the occa-
sional flash of gun. The Germans
were sending home great shells loaded
with explosives. Their aerial bombs
could not be followed at night. The
French were replying, but their fire was
more or less blind. The roar Of the
guns came up to US plainly. 1t shook
the heavens. Suddenly there was a
fash that lit up the whole sky, and a
terrific explosion sounded from below.
A German shell had found it's mark.
One of the French hAttleships had gone
% her ing home.
During the rest Of the night there was
10 intermission Inf the heavy firing
FEARFUL explosions sounded now and
hen, and we could But guess the de-
truction that was being wrought.
lad no wish to see either side win at
ne expense of the other.
AT dawn we were able to note the
ituation clearly. SiR or eight miles
leet. Almost beraeath us the French
we're gIt's!r s Tloose order. Both were
Lying ~ at guns. On both sides
- were drifting away,
others were reening, half-flled with
water. ana nc with the coming Of
daylight, the coh.satants resorted to
.heir. deadliest app ances. AS we
hera was e dun Explosion battleships
lull opened, split in twain like a cante-
oupe, and went skiddering to the bot
ON, We could see it deep in the clear
water, its hundreds Of seaman swarm
ng around like so many ants In
,owl.
It was remarkable to note the sub
marines moving here and there under
vater From our height we could see
lear TO the bottom, and every boat
vas visible by a bright streak as it ;,
went through the water. Suddenly .
,eFevre clutched my arm and pointed. s
The Centrifugal" he said, in whis- Ii
er. watched it on it's way, advancing b
n a bright whirl Of bubbles. II was Il
making it's way toward the German Il