Page:The Development of Navies During the Last Half-Century.djvu/253

 assailants approached within about 300 yards uninjured, and each discharged two torpedoes, none of which struck the ship. The 'Lynch' then turned, and again passing the 'Encalada' within about 50 yards, discharged a torpedo, which struck the ironclad abreast the engine-room. A tremendous shock was felt on board her. A great many men were killed in the engine-room by fragments of machinery flying in all directions, others on the deck above were thrown down and injured by the concussion. The ship heeled over on being struck, then rolled back, and the water pouring into the interior by the large gap made in her double bottom, she sank in about five minutes. Some of the crew plunged into the sea and escaped to the shore, but a considerable number went down with the vessel. On board the 'Lynch' and 'Condell' the casualties were not numerous or serious. The former vessel suffered most when she passed so close to the 'Encalada,' but both were able to retreat when a large ship was observed approaching the harbour, which was supposed to be the 'Esmeralda,' a cruiser of the enemy, but turned out to be our flagship the 'Warspite.'

It may be observed that the torpedo used on this occasion was one of the latest pattern, of small size, and carrying a charge of about 60 lbs. of gun cotton. From the effect produced some idea may be formed of what 200 lbs. could accomplish. The blow would be resistless in that portion of a ship containing the machinery. The opponent of torpedoes may lay stress on the fact that five had to be fired at close range