Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-08-22
Higginson's Ships Watching
For the enemy" to At
tempt an Attack.
HOSTILE FLEET WAS SIGHTED.
Rear admiral Hieeinson Received In.
formation Wednesday-An Attack
Was Expected Last Night, on Ac-
count of the Rough Weather.

Rockport, Mass, Aug. 22.-On
Board the battleship Kearsarge, flag
ship of Rear Admiral Higginson, COM
of the North Atlantic
squadron off Straits Mouth.
Admiral Higginson, commanding the
North Atlantic squadron, while an
chored at Sandy Bay harbor at Rock
III 1T, Wednesday, received informa-
ton that an enemy's fleet had been
sighted off the New England coast.
The telegram was received on the
ragship at 11:40 a. m. Immediately
all was hustle and excitement and
Tie mimic war manoeuYres scheduled
sor the navy of the summer of 1902
were under way Orders were given
in rapid succession, quickly followed
BY the blare of bugles and the setting
Of signal flags. From that moment
the flagship Kearsarge and the other
vessels of the defending feet have
been in readiness for the approach of
the opposing vessels under Comman
der John L. Pillsbllry.
Movements of the Ships.
When the orders to move came
Wednesday the Mayfower and a tor,
pedo boat were the first away, start
ing out of the north entrance of the
harbor of refuge for stations off Port
land The Brooklyn and Olympia
were close behind, steaming in more
easterly course. The Scorpion took
her course about southeast, while the
Montgomery and Leyden also went to
the southeast.
The KearsaFge, Massachusetts, Ala.
hama and Gloucester took a general
station about five miles off Thatcher's
light. The point is about midway be-
-Ween Portland and Proyineetown.
Up to midnight the movements OF
the ships were not very important.
The battleships passed back and forth
Until just before midnight, when the
commander-in-chi signalled orders
to come to anchor about mile north
of Thatcher's island. Directions were
given to keep fires in the boilers so
that a start could be made at mo,
ment's notice. No lights were per
mitted
Twice during the first part of the
night torpedo boats lightly and noise
lessly steamed in and out through the
feet, but receiving no signal from the
flagship, they quickly departed to their
stations. Sleep was not INDUCED in
to any extent. The admiral was on
the bridge up to midnight. At 5
o'clock yesterday morning he again
made his appearance on deck. A few
of the scout ships came in, but re
ported nothing of consequence.
Aboard the flagship the regular
Thursday morning duties were OBJ
served. At $3.50 general quarters were
sounded and for an hour practice
work was INDUCED in.
Not for a moment during yesterday
afternoon did the battleships give VI
their watchfulness. Soon after the
noon hour a heavy storm came on, the
sky being decidedly black. In the
driving rain the impression enter
tanned by the sailors was the proba
bility that Commander Pillsbury
would strike his blow on such night
as it promised to be.
But the adverse weather made the
stations of the defending squadron
along the Atlantic coast line all the
more active and alert. Messages
came in from various points, from
Portland to Provincetown, with re
markable quickness.
To Puzzle "Enemy's'i Spies. -
In an hour the rain had passed. but
The thick weather remained, and al
dusk came on a mist crept over the
surface of the water. 1t was a darl
night The darkness was just com
ing on when Admiral Higginson gave
the order to his battleships to weigh
anchor So hurriedly had messages
oeen given and so many trips did tht
dispatch launches make between the
shore and the Kearsarge that it was
thought the move this time was out II
sea- The admiral however, allowed
tbe squadron to pass but little t
the south; in fact. nearer in shor,
and within hailing distance O
Thatcher's island. The change of an
cAerage was brought about for tive
reasons The admiral wished TO keel
his ships in varying locations and t.
puzzle the spies of the white squad
ron, whom it was firmly believed wer'
I strtng along the coast. Again the ad
n.;eal wished to get in touch with the
Straits mouth point life saving sta
I ton. where was established last nigh
sn ola hnratQ gVGtam Of rirIkGt eiu
/ Mailing.
AS the night wore on the sky los
little of its blackness, and the fac
/ that constant stream of message!
! from the north to the south showeG
clearly enough that the defending
squadron feared the approach of Com
mander Pillsbury.
Miller In Trouble Again.