The papers of Wednesday published a very interesting message from
Mr. Aehmead-Bartlett describing the new types of " torpedo-proof " vessels which are being used at the Dardanelles. When the seas became too unsafe for our ordinary ships of war owing to the presence of hostile sub- marines, a kind of crinolined gun-platform—if we may so describe the new types—was created and sent out. These now vessels went out slowly under their own steam, and all arrived safely, though they steer badly—as badly, perhaps, as Mr. Kipling's ' Bolivar.' One of them " wobbled into port like a huge goose primed for Michaelmas " "Her crew began to bathe. Apparently all possessed the Divine power of walking on the water, for, on descending the ladder, instead of plunging into the waves, they walked along them by the side of her, and, having thus distributed themselves, proceeded to dive in, only to climb out again a few minutes later at their will. We set off in boats to investigate this strange phenomenon, and then found that just below the surface her sides bulge out some ton feet and than curve under, forming a platform • just washed by the waves."
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