The Greeley tribune., 1906-05-31

pounds of Calnite. n new explosive
whose force operated always down
ward The bomb contained also a mag
net and circuit-breaker so tuned as 10
De responsive to electrical vibrations
set up IN a powerful electrical mstru-
Lieht on the discharging ship. BY the
use OIL unique range finding apparatus
lhe bomb was kept in sight during its
Whole Hight, and upon reaching the
desired point 1t was exploded by the
mere pressure of button on the ship
| from which it had been fired. Tests
with this bomb had shown wonderful
accuracy and most deadly effects.
Ahother offensive device was an aeria,
'll'lminator-a small, balloon-Iika affair
'i'ahsed TO float at considerable ele.
Natlon, and carrying a powerful chem.
eal ilght. backed by strong reflectors.
| shoal OF these illuminators would be
sent toward the enemy's fleet, lighting
up ahe sea ana the vessels and making
easy targets for the German guns.
Against these devices the French IN
prepared an aerial bomb to discharge
neaNy and deadly gas, and to sprinkle
nclus or explosives upon the ships of
me enemy. They were also provided
win aluminium armor. so thick and
tough that an ordinary proiectile 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, a repell-
ing influence on approaching torpedoes
at distance of hundred yards. in
Variably turning them aside. Their
mainstay, however, was a new centrifu-
gal submarine torpedo-boat which
needed not to come to the surface, re-
naming down for days at q time, yet
observing operations on the surface,
and doing its work with deadly accu-
ynr OF ,0,,Jl rrt., tIn
details of this strange machine. Its
terrible effectiveness, however, was ap
parent the next day.
1 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 l
was awakened with a start by the
sound of heavy detonations below us.
l 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 illuml-
nators. 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
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. IL shook
the heavens. Suddenly there was
flash that lit up the whole sky aho
terrific explosion sounded from below.
A German shell had found its marx.
One of the French battleships had gone
to her long home.
During the rest of the night there was
no intermisson in the heavy hrlnS,
Fearful explosions sounaea nov tSa ah.. dnt
then, and we could but guess the oe
struction that was being wrought.
had no wish to see either side win at
the expense of the other.
At dawn we We're able to note Lnc
situation clearly. Six or eight miles
fleet. Almost beneath us the French
were gathered in loose order. Both We're
plying their great guns. On both sldes
burning ships were drifting away,
others were careening, half-hlied WIN
water. And now. with the coming "
their deadliest appliances, AS we
watched one of the French battleshlps.
there was a dull explosion. The great
hull opened, split in twain ike CAN'T
loupe. and went skidderinS TO the pot-
tom. We could see it deep in the cieni
winter. Its hUnQTeuS VI
;np around like so many ants IN
bowl. +,, cub
marines moving here and there uhaea aea
water. From our height we couio Sc SEE
clear to the bottom, and every s eojt -
was visible by a bright streak as ~. J..
swent @ through the water. Suddenly
ssEevre s@Fp clutched my arm and pointed.
aThe Centrifugal" he said. in whls-
nar q ie watched it on it's way, advancing
in in a bright whirl of bubbles. les cerman IL mas
making its way toward the eefiAAt'