Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-04
OFSHIPS
ARE TURNED
ON FORTS
HEAVY FIRING ALONG COAST
REPORTED YESTERDAY, AND
is ANSWERED, SHOT FOR
SHoT,BY COAST DEFENDERS.

Conn.,, Sept. 3.-HeadqaaFterS OF the army
of the defense.-Early this morning the
naval enemy made it's third attack on the
forts of New London district. 1t Is SAID
to have been most elective as Wen as
the most spectacular move Which mas
taken place since the naaneuvers of yes
terday.
The firing began at 80 and continued
almost necessarily for two hours, belng
directed at Fort Wright, Fishers Island.
The attacking squadron was composed of
the battleships Kearsarges Alabama, Mas
sachusetts and Indiana
The sun was well up when the four
ships were seen coming from the direction
of GARDENERS Bay. Where they were at
anchor late last night.
lust as soon as the first ship was with
IN firing distance she was fired upon from
Fort Niche, but no attention was paid 10
this warming for the ships came right
along. heading in the direction of Fort
Wrie. seemingly being the purpose to
capture that strongly fortified position, be-
heved to be capable. With the aid of Forts
Niche and Terry, of coping with the
strongest fleet afloat. The ship kept pref
ty well out in Hazings Race Rock light,
but made no attempt t. enter into an en-
gagement with either Niche or Terry,
very few guns being fired from those forts
during the two hours "a fighting.
1t was a determined attack on Fort
Wright. and the firing from the guns and
mortars of the fort was kept up inces-
sanity as the four ships formed in line
of battle and sailed slowly by the fort,
exchanging shot or shot as far as posi-
BILE.
Before attacking the fort the ships made
a detour and then swung well In towards
Fishers Island and commenced the bonn
bardment after two ships each had taken
position at the front ind rear of Fort
Hr-trr RwSx@ rnzf for a about
half an hour, when the ships sailed we'll
out toward the Race again, defenders be-
lieving the ships were ID retreat in the di-
rection whence they came.
Suddenly the ships burned and again
made a vigorous attack on Fort Wright.
this time attempting to make a landing.
one OF the big ships drew in pretty close
to the fort and covered The landing party,
but in opposition to this movement the
gatling guns a. the fort we're brought in
to requisition and the landing party was
evidently repealed, or rather that partlc-
ular phase Of this attack was not consid-
cred successful
After the conclusi0n nf this second atz
tack the ships steamed out into the race
and back in the directi0 Of Block island
Both on the passage to and from Fort
Wright the ships made attacks on Fort
Mansfield atwNapatree point, and 1t is
quite likely that Mansfield will be con-
sidered as having been reduced by the
enemy, and perhaps the enemy will claim
Fort Wright, for the ships certainly did
put up the fiercest Kind of a naval at
tack.
Still. army officers claim that Fort
Wright was competent to cope with four
battleships even without assistance from
Fort Niche and Fort Terry The latter
forts did not take very active part in
the maneuvers this morning. They fired
gaging with Fort Wright
The results of this mornings engage
ment will not be known until the umpires
decision is made public. 1t was a most
magnificent attack and an able defense,
from the strategists' standpoint.
GUNS FROM BIG FLEET
TURNED LOOSE ON FORT
CUTTIHUNK, via Pasque Island. Mass.
Sept. ga fleet of eight warships was
sighted this morning moving from the
westward towards New Bedford.
Among them were the Olympia the
Gloucester, the brooklyn. a cruiser uni
Identified the Mayfiower and the Leyden
and Nina The fleet was west of Cuttihunk
at o'clock and the Puritan had Joined
the other vessels.
The ship worked itself up toward Buzz
yards Bay and when off the eastern ap-
proach to New Bedford, opened fire
This was about S:i5. The guns on the
Notifications responded promptly.
FORT BODMAN A TARGET
FOR SHIPS LONG TOMS
NEW BEDFORD, Mass, Sept. 3.-Four
warships which could not be identified
from the shore owing TO the haze APP
peared off Fort Bodman early this morn
ing and at once opened fire. The fortif1-
cations speedily replied to the lombard
ment.
At $3.50 the war vessels were off Dump
ling Light In Buzzard's Bay and the next
move was problematic. Whether they
were repulsed or the attack of Fort Rod
man was simply a feint to test the
strength of the batteries, is not entirely
clear to those on shore.
The firing became desultory after about
an hour, and then ceased. The warships
did not retire however, and a pitched bat
tie was expected to follow as the fleet
below the city in the direction OF the Eliz-
abeth group apparently was forming a
decisive encounter.