The Breckenridge news., 1906-05-23

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 its
whole flight. and upon reaching the
desired point IL 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
illuminator-a small, balloon-like affair,
arranged to float at a considerable ele-
walton, and carrying a powerful chem.
ical light, backed by strong refectors.
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 projectile would
merely become imbedded therein and
held fast without being able to pass
through. Around their ships and under
water they hung large electromagnetic,
| exerting. by peculiar wiring, a repell-
ing influence on approaching torpedoes
at a. 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 time, yet
| observing operations on the surface,
and doing it's 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.
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 1
was awakened with a start by the
sound of heavy detonations below US
1 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-
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
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 or 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 eighL mics
away to the northeast lay the German
fleet. Almost beneath us the French
were gathered in loose order. Both We're
plying their great guns. on both sides
burning ships were drifting away
others were careening, halt-hlled Win
water. And now, with the coming OF
daylight, the comoatants resorted TO
their deadliest appliances. AS we
watched one of the French battleshipss
there was a dull explosion. The great
hull opened, split in twain like a cante-
loupe, and went skiddering to the DOT
tom. We could see 1t deep in the clear
water, its 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. Suuueniy
IeFevre clutched my arm and pointed.
"The Centrifugal" he said, In whls-
per. I watched 1t on its way, advancing
in a bright whirl of bubbles IL was
making its way toward the German