fracture, and which permits the
boom to be moved in any direction, whether vertically or fore and aft,
close in against the sides. Below each boom is a flange, which serves as
a line along which a traveler moves, the latter being actuated by means
of a topping line running over a pulley at the head and another near the
heel.

Upon the booms being topped to a perpendicular position, the nets are
attached to the runners at the bottom of the booms close inboard
(instead of, under the existing system, to the tops of the booms from
boats alongside or otherwise), and when this is done, the mere
depression of the booms into position will cause the nets to run out of
their own accord. In like manner, when the occasion for their use has
passed, the raising of the boom will cause the nets to come alongside,
when they can either be brailed up through the grummets or disconnected
for future use.

The action of the gear is so simple and rapid that the torpedo
protection can be always ready without arresting the way of the ship. As
a length of net 30 ft. by 20 ft. deep weighs about 3 cwt., it will also
be seen that the reduction of strains by working the crinolines from the
heel instead of the head of the booms is considerable. The attack by the
Whitehead upon the booms and nettings was made shortly before 2 p.m., at
the time of high tide.

The whole affair occupied a very few minutes. As soon as the red pennant
was struck on board to show that Mr. Bullivant was satisfied with the
arrangements, and that the target was ready, the torpedo vessel Vesuvius
got under way, and after circling round the doomed hulk discharged a
Whitehead against the netting from her under-water bow torpedo tube at
an approximate range of 50 yards. As on former occasions, the missile
was one of the old 16 inch pattern, but it was understood that the
charge of gun cotton had been reduced to 87 lb., so that the net
protection should not bear a greater strain than would be the case in
actual hostilities. The torpedo, which was set to a depth of about 10
feet, struck the net in the middle and threw up an immense spout of
water, but without getting to the ship, which was apparently uninjured.
Although it hit the net immediately below the center boom, no fracture
occurred, and the points remained intact. Although at the short range
the torpedo would spin through the water at from 30 to 40 horse power,
and would deliver a formidable blow upon the net, the thrust