The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-05-25


pounds Of Calnite. a new explosive
whose force operated always down
| ward The bomb contained also a mag.
net and circuit breaker so tuned as e
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 apparatus
/ the bomb was kept in sight during its
whole flight, and upon reaching the
| desired point it was exploded by the
mere pressure of a button on the ship
from which it had been fired. Tests
with this bomb had shown wonderful
accuracy and most deadly effects
| Another offensive device was an aerial
lIiuminator-a small, balloon-Iike affair.
| arranged TO noat at 8 considera HE e1e-
walton, and carrying a powerful chem.
ical 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
acids or explosives upon the ships of
the enemy. They were also provided
with aluminium armor, so thick and
tough that an ordinary projeetile would
merely become imbedded therein and
through. Around their ships and under
water they hung large electromagnetic,
exerting. by peculiar wiring. a repell-
ing influence on approaching torpedoes
at distance of a hundred yards, in
yariably turning them aside Their
mainstay, however, was a new centrifu-
gal submarine torpedo-bo boat, which
needed not to come to the surface, re-
naming down for days at 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 app
parent the next day.
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 start by the
sound of heavy detonations below US.
leaped to my feet and looked over the
side of the car. LeFevre Joined me the
next moment.
The Germans had evidently planned
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 /
the strong, blue-white lights. Far off |
In the darkness we could see the occa-
sional flash Of a 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
flash that lit up the whole sky, and a
terrific explosion sounded from below. !
A German shell had found its mark.
One of the French battleships had gone
10 her long home.
During the rest of the night there was
40 intermission in the heavy firing.
Fearful explosions sounded now and
hen, and we could but guess the de-
ltruction that was being wrought.
lad no wish to see either side win al
he expense Of the other.
At dawn we were able to note the
situation clearly. Six or eight miles
way to the northeast lay the German
leet. Almost beneath US the French
we're gathered in loose order. Both were
lying their great guns. On both sides
turning ships We're drifting away
theirs were careening, half-filled with
Vater And now. with the coming OF
aylight, the combatants resorted to
heir deadliest appliances As we
one of the French battleships
here was a dull explosion. The great
ull opened, split in twain like cante-
,upe, and went skiddering to the bot
om. We could see 1t deep In the clear
,ater, its hundreds of seaman swarm
ng around like so many ants IN
owl.
IT was remarkable to note the sub
larines moving here and there under
rater. From our height we could see
lear to the bottom. and every boat
vas visible by a bright streak as II
wept through the water. Suddenly
eFevre clutched my arm and pointed.
The Centrifugal" he said, IN Wnis- Il
! q bright whirI Of bubbles. II was Il
laking its way toward the German !,
N