154 



THE SEA. 



The enemy is prepared, and it is a case of ' Greek meeting Greek/ Our vessel is put at 

 full speed, and, with our consorts (now reduced to two), we go at the enemy. However, 

 in the charge that is made only one of us succeeds in exploding a torpedo, and that 

 without much damage to the enemy; one of our consorts is run down and sunk, and 

 we pass through, only dipping one torpedo, and that too late to take effect. The enemy 

 are not in the steady line they were in before, and consequently we have not such an 

 opportunity of creating disorder, and have more difficulty in manoeuvring to use our weapon. 



PARAGUAYAN TORPEDO BLOWING UP A BRAZILIAN IRONCLAD. 



Passing on, fortune still favours us. We come across an enemy disabled, stern on to us 

 with her ensign flying. 'At her!' is the order. Another moment and we are close to 

 her, our torpedo in beautiful position, and the enemy helpless. Down comes her ensign, 

 just in time; we are able to let go the torpedo so as to clear her now a lawful prize. 



" So it is that I believe a torpedo vessel will be handled in an action. It will be 

 ticklish work ; and all I can say is that the men who undertake it should be gifted 

 with coolness and courage above their fellows, as well as with the utmost proficiency in 

 handling their vessels/' 



Perhaps the most formidable ocean-going torpedo vessel yet constructed is the American 

 despatch-vessel Alarm, designed by Admiral David Porter, of the United States Navy. 

 It is 172 feet long, including a ram of twent}--seven feet in length. One of her special 

 qualities is the power of launching torpedoes from almost any point, from cylinders 



