按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
short a time； and her cruise was somewhat of an experiment。 If she should
be successful in raising the blockade of the Canadian port； the British
Admiralty would have but little difficulty in dealing with the American
Syndicate。 The most important object was to provide a defence against the
screw…extracting and rudder…breaking crabs； and to this end the Adamant
had been fitted with what was termed a 〃stern…jacket。〃 This was a great
cage of heavy steel bars； which was attached to the stern of the vessel in
such a way that it could be raised high above the water； so as to offer no
impediment while under way； and which； in time of action； could be let
down so as to surround and protect the rudder and screw…propellers； of
which the Adamant had two。 This was considered an adequate defence
against the nippers of a Syndicate crab； but as a means of offence against
these almost submerged vessels a novel contrivance had been adopted。
From a great boom projecting over the stern； a large ship's cannon was
suspended perpendicularly； muzzle downward。 This gun could be swung
around to the deck； hoisted into a horizontal position； loaded with a heavy
charge； a wooden plug keeping the load in position when the gun hung
perpendicularly。 If the crab should come under the stern； this cannon could
be fired directly downward upon her back； and it was not believed that any
vessel of the kind could stand many such tremendous shocks。 It was not
known exactly how ventilation was supplied to the submarine vessels of
the Syndicate； nor how the occupants were enabled to make the necessary
observations during action。 When under way the crabs sailed somewhat
elevated above the water； but when engaged with an enemy only a small
portion of their covering armour could be seen。 It was surmised that under
and between some of the scales of this armour there was some
arrangement of thick glasses； through which the necessary observation
could be made； and it was believed that； even if the heavy perpendicular
40
… Page 41…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
shots did not crush in the roof of a crab； these glasses would be shattered
by concussion。 Although this might appear a matter of slight importance； it
was thought among naval officers it would necessitate the withdrawal of a
crab from action。 In consequence of the idea that the crabs were
vulnerable between their overlapping plates； some of the Adamant's boats
were fitted out with Gatling and machine guns； by which a shower of balls
might be sent under the scales； through the glasses； and into the body of
the crab。 In addition to their guns； these boats would be supplied with
other means of attack upon the crab。 Of course it would be impossible to
destroy these submerged enemies by means of dynamite or torpedoes； for
with two vessels in close proximity； the explosion of a torpedo would be
as dangerous to the hull of one as to the other。 The British Admiralty
would not allow even the Adamant to explode torpedoes or dynamite
under her own stern。 With regard to a repeller； or spring…armoured vessel；
the Adamant would rely upon her exceptionally powerful armament； and
upon her great weight and speed。 She was fitted with twin screws and
engines of the highest power； and it was believed that she would be able to
overhaul； ram； and crush the largest vessel armoured or unarmoured which
the Syndicate would be able to bring against her。 Some of her guns were
of immense calibre； firing shot weighing nearly two thousand pounds； and
requiring half a ton of powder for each charge。 Besides these she carried
an unusually large number of large cannon and two dynamite guns。 She
was so heavily plated and armoured as to be proof against any known
artillery in the world。 She was a floating fortress； with men enough to
make up the population of a town； and with stores； ammunition； and coal
sufficient to last for a long term of active service。 Such was the mighty
English battle… ship which had come forward to raise the siege of the
Canadian port。 The officers of the Syndicate were well aware of the
character of the Adamant； her armament and her defences； and had been
informed by cable of her time of sailing and probable destination。 They
sent out Repeller No。 7； with Crabs J and K； to meet her off the Banks of
Newfoundland。 This repeller was the largest and strongest vessel that the
Syndicate had ready for service。 In addition to the spring armour with
which these vessels were supplied； this one was furnished with a second
41
… Page 42…
THE GREAT WAR SYNDICATE
coat of armour outside the first； the elastic steel ribs of which ran
longitudinally and at right angles to those of the inner set。 Both coats were
furnished with a great number of improved air…buffers； and the
arrangement of spring armour extended five or six feet beyond the
massive steel plates with which the vessel was originally armoured。 She
carried one motor…cannon of large size。 One of the crabs was of the
ordinary pattern； but Crab K was furnished with a spring armour above the
heavy plates of her roof。 This had been placed upon her after the news had
been received by the Syndicate that the Adamant would carry a
perpendicular cannon over her stern； but there had not been time enough
to fit out another crab in the same way。 When the director in charge of
Repeller No。 7 first caught sight of the Adamant； and scanned through his
glass the vast proportions of the mighty ship which was rapidly steaming
towards the coast； he felt that a responsibility rested upon him heavier than
any which had yet been borne by an officer of the Syndicate； but he did
not hesitate in the duty which he had been sent to perform； and
immediately ordered the two crabs to advance to meet the Adamant； and to
proceed to action according to the instructions which they had previously
received。 His own ship was kept； in pursuance of orders； several miles
distant from the British ship。 As soon as the repeller had been sighted from
the Adamant； a strict lookout had be