. The naval history of the United States. The lower barrier was composed of a series of piles driveninto the rjver-bottom, and cut off below the water; back of these came arow of pointed and iron tipped piles pointing down stream at such anangle as to be likely to pierce the hull of any vessel that should run uponthem. Entwined about these piles was a cable connecting with thirtypowerful torpedoes. That any vessel could pierce such a barrier seemsalmost incredible; yet all the vessels of the flotilla passed, and but twowere seriously injured. One of the sharp iron piles drove through thebottom
. The naval history of the United States. The lower barrier was composed of a series of piles driveninto the rjver-bottom, and cut off below the water; back of these came arow of pointed and iron tipped piles pointing down stream at such anangle as to be likely to pierce the hull of any vessel that should run uponthem. Entwined about these piles was a cable connecting with thirtypowerful torpedoes. That any vessel could pierce such a barrier seemsalmost incredible; yet all the vessels of the flotilla passed, and but twowere seriously injured. One of the sharp iron piles drove through thebottom of the Barney, sending the crew to the pumps, and the carpenterdown into the hold with his felt-covered plugs. But her damages werequickly repaired, and she went on with the rest of the fleet. Right underthe guns of Fort Thompson the second line of obstructions was encoun-tered. It consisted of a line of sunken vessels closely massed, and acheval-de-frise of stakes and logs, that blocked the entire river, save a BLUE-JACKETS OF 61. 621.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublishernewyo, bookyear1896
