the great war syndicate(战争辛迪加)-第13节
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was reprimanded by the Secretary of the Navy； and enjoined that there
should be no repetitions of his offence。 But as the commander of the
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Lenox knew that the Secretary of the Navy was as angry as he was at what
had happened； he did not feel his reprimand to be in any way a disgrace。 It
may be stated that the Stockbridge； which had steamed for the open sea as
soon as the business which had detained her was completed； did not go
outside the Cape。 When her officers perceived with their glasses that the
Lenox was returning to port stern foremost； they opined what had
happened； and desiring that their ship should do all her sailing in the
natural way； the Stockbridge was put about and steamed； bow foremost； to
her anchorage behind the Breakwater； the commander thanking his stars
that for once the Lenox had got ahead of him。 The members of the
Syndicate were very anxious to remove the unfavorable impression
regarding what was called in many quarters their attack upon a United
States vessel； and a circular to the public was issued； in which they
expressed their deep regret at being obliged to interfere with so many
brave officers and men in a moment of patriotic enthusiasm； and
explaining how absolutely necessary it was that the Lenox should be
removed from a position where a conflict with English line…of…battle ships
would be probable。 There were many thinking persons who saw the
weight of the Syndicate's statements； but the effect of the circular upon the
popular mind was not great。 The Syndicate was now hard at work making
preparations for the grand stroke which had been determined upon。 In the
whole country there was scarcely a man whose ability could be made
available in their work； who was not engaged in their service； and
everywhere； in foundries； workshops； and ship… yards； the construction of
their engines of war was being carried on by day and by night。 No
contracts were made for the delivery of work at certain times； everything
was done under the direct supervision of the Syndicate and its
subordinates； and the work went on with a definiteness and rapidity
hitherto unknown in naval construction。 In the midst of the Syndicate's
labours there arrived off the coast of Canada the first result of Great
Britain's preparations for her war with the American Syndicate； in the
shape of the Adamant； the largest and finest ironclad which had ever
crossed the Atlantic； and which had been sent to raise the blockade of the
Canadian port by the Syndicate's vessels。 This great ship had been
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especially fitted out to engage in combat with repellers and crabs。 As far as
was possible the peculiar construction of the Syndicate's vessels had been
carefully studied； and English specialists in the line of naval construction
and ordnance had given most earnest consideration to methods of attack
and defence most likely to succeed with these novel ships of war。 The
Adamant was the only vessel which it had been possible to send out in so
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
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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
