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men…of…war； and shots from these fired from an
elevation might sink even those 〃underwater devils。〃
But； more than on the forts； they relied upon their
admirable system of torpedoes and submarine batteries。
With these in position and ready for action； as they
now were； it was impossible for an enemy's vessel；
floating on the water or under it； to enter the harbour
without certain destruction。
Bulletins to this effect were posted in the city；
and somewhat allayed the popular anxiety； although many
people； who were fearful of what might happen next；
left by the evening trains for the interior。 That
night the news of this extraordinary affair was cabled
to Europe； and thence back to the United States； and
all over the world。 In many quarters the account was
disbelieved； and in no quarter was it thoroughly
understood； for it must be borne in mind that the
methods of operation employed by the crabs were not
evident to those on board the disabled vessels。 But
everywhere there was the greatest desire to know what
would be done next。
It was the general opinion that the two armoured
vessels were merely tenders to the submerged machines
which had done the mischief。 Having fired no guns； nor
taken any active part in the combat； there was every
reason to believe that they were intended merely as
bomb…proof store…ships for their formidable consorts。
As these submerged vessels could not attack a town； nor
reduce fortifications； but could exercise their power
only against vessels afloat； it was plain enough to see
that the object of the American Syndicate was to
blockade the port。 That they would be able to maintain
the blockade when the full power of the British navy
should be brought to bear upon them was generally
doubted； though it was conceded in the most wrathful
circles that； until the situation should be altered； it
would be unwise to risk valuable war vessels in
encounters with the diabolical sea…monsters now lying
off the port。
In the New York office of the Syndicate there was
great satisfaction。 The news received was incorrect
and imperfect； but it was evident that； so far；
everything had gone well。
About nine o'clock the next morning； Repeller No。
1； with her consort half a mile astern； and preceded by
the two crabs； one on either bow； approached to within
two miles of the harbour mouth。 The crabs； a quarter
of a mile ahead of the repeller； moved slowly； for
between them they bore an immense net； three or
four hundred feet long； and thirty feet deep； composed
of jointed steel rods。 Along the upper edge of this
net was a series of air…floats； which were so graduated that they
were sunk by the weight of the net a few feet below the
surface of the water； from which position they held the
net suspended vertically。
This net； which was intended to protect the
repeller against the approach of submarine torpedoes；
which might be directed from the shore； was anchored at
each end； two very small buoys indicating its position。
The crabs then falling astern； Repeller No。 1 lay to；
with the sunken net between her and the shore； and
prepared to project the first instantaneous motor…bomb
ever used in warfare。
The great gun in the bow of the vessel was loaded
with one of the largest and most powerful motor…bombs；
and the spot to be aimed at was selected。 This was a
point in the water just inside of the mouth of the
harbour； and nearly a mile from the land on either
side。 The distance of this point from the vessel being
calculated； the cannon was adjusted at the angle called
for by the scale of distances and levels； and the
instrument indicating rise； fall； and direction was
then put in connection with it。
Now the Director…in…chief stepped forward to the
button； by pressing which the power of the motor was
developed。 The chief of the scientific corps then
showed him the exact point upon the scale which would
be indicated when the gun was in its proper position；
and the piece was then moved upon its bearings so
as to approximate as nearly as possible this direction。
The bow of the vessel now rose upon the swell of
the sea； and the instant that the index upon the scale
reached the desired point； the Director…in…chief
touched the button。
There was no report； no smoke； no visible sign that
the motor had left the cannon； but at that instant
there appeared； to those who were on the lookout； from
a fort about a mile away； a vast aperture in the waters
of the bay； which was variously described as from one
hundred yards to five hundred yards in diameter。 At
that same instant； in the neighbouring headlands and
islands far up the shores of the bay； and in every
street and building of the city； there was felt a sharp
shock； as if the underlying rocks had been struck by a
gigantic trip…hammer。
At the same instant the sky above the spot where
the motor had descended was darkened by a wide…
spreading cloud。 This was formed of that portion of
the water of the bay which had been instantaneously
raised to the height of about a thousand feet。 The
sudden appearance of this cloud was even more terrible
than the yawning chasm in the waters of the bay or
the startling shock； but it did not remain long in
view。 It had no sooner reached its highest elevation
than it began to descend。 There was a strong sea…
breeze blowing； and in its descent this vast mass of
water was impelled toward the land。
It came down； not as rain； but as the waters of a
vast cataract； as though a mountain lake； by an
earthquake shock； had been precipitated in a body upon
a valley。 Only one edge of it reached the land； and
here the seething flood tore away earth； trees； and
rocks； leaving behind it great chasms and gullies as it
descended to the sea。
The bay itself； into which the vast body of the
water fell； became a scene of surging madness。 The
towering walls of water which had stood up all around
the suddenly created aperture hurled themselves back
into the abyss； and down into the great chasm at the
bottom of the bay； which had been made when the motor
sent its shock along the great rock beds。 Down upon；
and into； this roaring； boiling tumult fell the
tremendous cataract from above； and the harbour became
one wild expanse of leaping maddened waves； hissing
their whirling spray high into the air。
During these few terrific moments other things
happened which passed unnoticed in the general
consternation。 All along the shores of the bay and in
front of the city the waters seemed to be sucked away；
slowly returning as the sea forced them to their level；
and at many points up and down the harbour there were
submarine detonations and upheavals of the water。
These were caused by the explosion； by concussion；
of every torpedo and submarine battery in the harbour；
and it was with this object in v