The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-27

HARBOR MINES
Big CrOwi Witnessed the
Operation at Newport.
WATER HURLED UPWARD.
In Several Cases, However, the
Mines Failed TO Respond.
WATER HURLED UPWARD.
WILL BE ATTENDED TO LATER.

Hundreds of persons went from this
city yesterday afternoon on the steamer
Richard Borden to Newport for the
purpose of assisting at the explosion OF
the mines, which had been laid in New
port harbor about three months ago
with the intention Of blowing Spain's
fleet or any part of 1t that might come
to the New England coast into the air.
1t was a very peaceful operation, but
none the less il seemed to have interest
for thousands who came to the mine
fields from every direction and upon
every conceivable sort of craft.
The exploding of the mines was an
nounced to take place at o'clock. the
explosives being those on the bed be-
tween Fort Adams and Fort Dumplings
on the jamestown shore, and the rather
delicate work was done under the SUI
pervision of Maj. ID. w. LOCKWOOD,
United States Engineer Corps. Long
before the hour announced big fleet OF
excursion steamers, steam yachts,
schooners. sloops, knockabouts. cats,
torpedo boats, naval whale boats and
launches were waiting in front OF the
inside imaginary line. which was
guarded by the government tug Agnes,
while the revenue cutter Dexter pat
rolled on the outside Of the mine fields,
and all boats were kept from crossing
the danger line.
MANY SIGHTSEERS.
Every headland was crowded with
people, and the cottagers were out In
force TO see the show. The Ocean drive,
from which a good view could be had.
fairly swarmed with people and vehicles
of all kinds. while the entire garrison
of Fort Adams lined the tops of the
walls of that massive structure. Every
body was anxious to see the mines ex-
ploded for IL was understood that those
to be fired consisted of twelve. divided
into sets of three, in a block, making
four explosions in all. The mines, which
each contained 100 pounds of guncotton,
were operated from the firing board at
Fort Adams.
While the immense crowd on the big
fleet was closely watching, the Agnes
lowered her flag and then raised 1T, and
at once there was culver of excite
ment on the boats. Then three big
bubbles were seen in the water. and {,
dull roar accompanied by a slight
shock, was heard After a short delay
there was a repetition of the bubbles
roar and shock. and then the Agnes
hauled down her flag and started for
Newport. followed by the torpedo boat
Stiletto and a swarm OF other vessels,
and the show was over for the day.
SUNNI II AlIESD ~ oA>D.
While several of the mines were sue
cessfully exploded. there were others
which declined to respond to the elec-
tric current. 1t was said that the cur
rent running through the channel was
altogether too strong for the mines,
which were found out of place and dis.
arranged. In the first group Of three.
which was exploded just before
o'clock, only two responded, and these
threw a column of water fully $50 feet
in the air About IL minutes later the
second group of three was fired, and
this time only one mine responded. II
made very pretty showing, the water
rising fully 200 feet in the air. After a
delay OF 10 minutes the three mines In
the second group all went off according
to the plans, but on the fourth trial the
three mines which were near James
town did not explode. and, as fog had
come up. Maj. Lockwood decided to
take no risks, and the mines will be
disposed of at some later date.