This machine was intended to operate against the raft.
Ignorance and incredulity did their work, as usual, and Gianbelli's request was refused.

As a quarter-measure, nevertheless, he was allowed to take two smaller vessels of seventy and eighty tons.

The Italian was disgusted with parsimony upon so momentous an occasion, but he at the same time determined, even with these slender materials, to give an exhibition of his power.
Not all his the glory, however, of the ingenious project.

Associated with him were two skilful artizans of Antwerp; a clockmaker named Bory, and a mechanician named Timmerman--but Gianibelli was the chief and superintendent of the whole daring enterprise.
He gave to his two ships the cheerful names of the 'Fortune' and the 'Hope,' and set himself energetically to justify their titles by their efficiency.

They were to be marine volcanos, which, drifting down the river with tide, were to deal destruction where the Spaniards themselves most secure.
In the hold of each vessel, along the whole length, was laid down a solid flooring of brick and mortar, one foot thick and five feet wide.