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the conflict for the day； and that he and his whole fleet should return to
Portsmouth to receive further orders。 In issuing these commands the
British Government was actuated simply by motives of humanity and
common sense。 The British fleet was thoroughly prepared for ordinary
naval warfare； but an enemy had inaugurated another kind of naval
warfare； for which it was not prepared。 It was； therefore； decided to
withdraw the ships until they should be prepared for the new kind of
warfare。 To allow ironclad after ironclad to be disabled and set adrift； to
subject every ship in the fleet to the danger of instantaneous destruction；
and all this without the possibility of inflicting injury upon the enemy；
would not be bravery； it would be stupidity。 It was surely possible to
devise a means for destroying the seven hostile ships now in British waters。
Until action for this end could be taken； it was the part of wisdom for the
British navy to confine itself to the protection of British ports。 When the
fleet began to move toward the Isle of Wight； the six crabs； which had
been lying quietly among and under the protection of their enemies；
withdrew southward； and； making a slight circuit； joined the repeller。 Each
of the disabled ironclads was now in tow of a sister vessel； or of tugs；
except the Llangaron。 This great ship had been disabled so early in the
contest； and her broadside had presented such a vast surface to the north…
west wind； that she had drifted much farther to the south than any other
vessel。 Consequently； before the arrival of the tugs which had been sent
for to tow her into harbour； the Llangaron was well on her way across the
channel。 A foggy night came on； and the next morning she was ashore on
the coast of France； with a mile of water between her and dry land。 Fast…
rooted in a great sand…bank； she lay week after week； with the storms that
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came in from the Atlantic； and the storms that came in from the German
Ocean； beating upon her tall side of solid iron； with no more effect than if
it had been a precipice of rock。 Against waves and winds she formed a
massive breakwater； with a wide stretch of smooth sea between her and
the land。 There she lay； proof against all the artillery of Europe； and all the
artillery of the sea and the storm； until a fleet of small vessels had taken
from her her ponderous armament； her coal and stores； and she had been
lightened enough to float upon a high tide； and to follow three tugs to
Portsmouth。 When night came on； Repeller No。 11 and the crabs dropped
down with the tide； and lay to some miles west of the scene of battle。 The
fog shut them in fairly well； but； fearful that torpedoes might be sent out
against them； they showed no lights。 There was little danger； of collision
with passing merchantmen； for the English Channel； at present； was
deserted by this class of vessels。 The next morning the repeller； preceded
by two crabs； bearing between them a submerged net similar to that used
at the Canadian port； appeared off the eastern end of the Isle of Wight。 The
anchors of the net were dropped； and behind it the repeller took her place；
and shortly afterward she sent a flag…of…truce boat to Portsmouth harbour。
This boat carried a note from the American War Syndicate to the British
Government。 In this note it was stated that it was now the intention of the
Syndicate to utterly destroy； by means of the instantaneous motor； a
fortified post upon the British coast。 As this would be done solely for the
purpose of demonstrating the irresistible destructive power of the motor…
bombs； it was immaterial to the Syndicate what fortified post should be
destroyed； provided it should answer the requirements of the proposed
demonstration。 Consequently the British Government was offered the
opportunity of naming the fortified place which should be destroyed。 If
said Government should decline to do this； or delay the selection for
twenty…four hours； the Syndicate would itself decide upon the place to be
operated upon。 Every one in every branch of the British Government； and；
in fact； nearly every thinking person in the British islands； had been
racking his brains； or her brains； that night； over the astounding situation；
and the note of the Syndicate only added to the perturbation of the
Government。 There was a strong feeling in official circles that the insolent
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little enemy must be crushed； if the whole British navy should have to rush
upon it； and all sink together in a common grave。 But there were cooler
and more prudent brains at the head of affairs； and these had already
decided that the contest between the old engines of war and the new ones
was entirely one…sided。 The instincts of good government dictated to them
that they should be extremely wary and circumspect during the further
continuance of this unexampled war。 Therefore； when the note of the
Syndicate was considered； it was agreed that the time had come when
good statesmanship and wise diplomacy would be more valuable to the
nation than torpedoes； armoured ships； or heavy guns。 There was not the
slightest doubt that the country would disagree with the Government； but
on the latter lay the responsibility of the country's safety。 There was
nothing； in the opinion of the ablest naval officers； to prevent the
Syndicate's fleet from coming up the Thames。 Instantaneous motor…bombs
could sweep away all forts and citadels； and explode and destroy all
torpedo defences； and London might lie under the guns of the repeller。 In
consequence of this view of the state of affairs； an answer was sent to the
Syndicate's note； asking that further time be given for the consideration of
the situation； and suggesting that an exhibition of the power of the motor…
bomb was not necessary； as sufficient proof of this had been given in the
destruction of the Canadian forts； the annihilation of the Craglevin； and
t