Charlevoix county herald., 1906-05-26

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 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 apparatus
the bomb was kept in sight during It's
whole flight, and upon reaching the
desired point il was exploded by the
mere pressure of button on the snip
from which it had been fired. Tests
with this bomb had shown wonderful
accuracy and most deadly effects.
announcer offensive device was an aerial
iiiuihlnator-a small, balloon-like affair,
arranged TO float at a considera BILE ele-
walton, and carrying a powerful chem
zeal light, backed by strong reflectors.
"A shoal OF these illuminators would be
| sent toward the enemys 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 projectile 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
variably turning them aside. Their
mainstay, however, was n 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. 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
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 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
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
terrific explosion sounded from below.
A German shell had found its mark.
One of the French battleships had gone
to her long home.
During the rest of the night there was
no intermission in the heavy firing.
Fearful explosions sounded now and
then and we could but guess the de-
struction that was being wrought. ]
had no wish to see either side win at
the expense of the other.
At dawn we were able to note the
situation clearly. Six or eight miles
away to the northeast lay the German
fleet. Almost beneath us the French
were gathered in loose order. Both were
plying their great guns. On both sides
burning ships were drifting away,
others were careening, half-filled with
water. And now, with the coming or
daylight, the combatants resorted to
their deadliest appliances. AS we
watched one of the French battleshlps
there was a dull explosion. The great
hull opened, split in twain like a cante-
loupe. and went skiddering to the bot
tom. We could see it deep in the clear
water, it's hundreds of seaman swarm
ing around like so many ants In
bowl.
II was remarkable to note the sub
marines moving here and there under
water. From our height we could see
clear to the bottom, and every boat
was visible by a bright streak as ~
swept through the water. Suddenly
LeFevre clutched my arm and pointed.
"The Centrifugal" he said, in whis-
per. 7 watched it on it's way, advancing
in a bright whirl of bubbles. 1t was
making it's way toward the German