on in
the form of an elongated wedge, their most powerful vessels being
at the apex and external sides.

[Illustration: "On the water the results of the air-ship's attack
were destructive almost beyond description."

_See page 191._]

The firing was furious and sustained from beginning to end of the
rush, but the damage inflicted by the cannonade of the Russian
fleet and the torpedo-boats, which every now and then darted out
from between the warships as opportunity offered to employ their
silent and deadly weapons, was as nothing in comparison with the
frightful havoc achieved by the air-ship.

This extraordinary craft hovered over the attacking force,
darting hither and thither with bewildering rapidity, and raining
down shells charged with an unknown explosive of fearful power
among the crowded ships of the great force which was blocking the
Sound. Half a dozen of these shells were fired upon the seaward
fortifications of Copenhagen in passing, and produced a perfectly
paralysing effect.

On the water the results of the air-ship's attack were
destructive almost beyond description, particularly when she
stationed herself over the Allied fleet and began firing her four
guns right and left, ahead and astern. Every time a shell struck
either a battleship or a cruiser, the terrific explosion which
resulted either sank the ship in a few minutes, or so far
disabled it that it fell an easy prey to the guns and rams of the
Russians. As for the torpedo-boats which were struck, they were
simply scattered over the water in indistinguishable fragments.

Under these conditions maintenance of formation and effective
fighting were practically impossible, and the huge iron wedge of
the Russian squadron was driven almost without a check through
the demoralised ranks of the Allied fleet. The Gut of Elsinore
was reached in a little more than three hours after the first
sounds of the cannonade were heard. Shortly before this the
air-ship had stationed itself about a thousand feet above the
water, and a mile from the fortifications.

From this position it commenced a brief, rapid cannonade from its
smokeless and flameless guns, the effects of which on the
fortress are said to have been indescribably awful. Great blocks
of steel-sheathed masonry were dislodged from the ramparts