In December, 1901, the _Narval_ and _Morse_ defended Cherbourg from an attack by the coast-defence ships _Bouvines_ and _Valmy_, and torpedoed these vessels, those on board not being aware of the presence of the submarines until they rose to the surface. During some manœuvres at Cherbourg in January, 1902, the two guardships _Bouvines_ and _Tréhouart_, and the torpedo-boat destroyer _Cassini_ were attacked by the five submarines, _Morse_, _Narval_, _Triton_, _Espadon_ and _Français_. The _Bouvines_ was hit at 100 yards by a torpedo fired from the _Morse_, which steered by periscope without showing above the surface; the _Tréhouart_ was attacked by the _Triton_ and the _Espadon_; the former came to the surface as a fishing boat got in her way, and she was put out of action; the latter fired a torpedo, which hit the _Tréhouart_. The _Cassini_ evaded the _Morse_, but passed within range of the _Français_, and was torpedoed by her. Thus of the five submarines one was put out of action, whilst all three warships were destroyed. In March, 1902, combined manœuvres of the coast-defence ships _Valmy_ and _Jemmapes_, and the submarines _Algerien_ and _Français_, took place; the _Algerien_ was able unperceived to torpedo the _Valmy_, while the _Français_ succeeded in directing a torpedo at the _Jemmapes_. In May, 1902, the _Gustave Zédé_ in an experimental attack on the battleship _Jauréguiberry_ off Hyères grounded, but was subsequently refloated. CHAPTER VIII THE ANTIDOTE TO SUBMARINES Mr. John P. Holland, in an article which he contributed to the _North American Review_ for December, 1900, wrote as follows:—