Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-04
ENEMY BONBAUDS THE COAST
Third Attack il Most Effective Since
d, # Beginning Of NansuvsrS
tAsDIRs FORCE is EASILY REpULstO
ava Vessels Handled IN Magnificent
Manner and both Army and
80. Navy Are Claiming n
Victory.

FORT. TRUMBULL, NEW LONDON.
bGonn.I vseptsds.-Early this morning the
naval enemy made its third attack on
forts of the New London district. II Is
said to- have been the most effective as
well as the most spectacular move that
has taken place since the maneuvers be-
gan. Tho firing began at 4:5O and con-
tinued almost necessarily for two hours,
being directed at Fort Wright. Fishers
island. The attacking squadron was COM
posed OF the battleships Kearsarge, Ala
bama, Massachusetts, 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 last night. Just ne soon as the
first ship was within fring distance II
was fired upon from Fort Niche, but no
attention was paid TO this warning. for
the ships came right along, heading In the
direction of Fort Wright. It seemingly
being the purpose TO capture that strongly
tortihed. place, believed to be capable
with the aid Of Forts Niche and Terry
OF coping with the strongest feet adoat.
The ships kept pretty well out in psss-
ing Race Rock light. but made no at
btempt to, enter into an engagement with
either Niche or Terry, very few guns
being fred from these forts during the
two hours of fighting. 1t was a determined
attack on Fort Wright and the firing OF
guns and mortars at the fort was kept
.up ineessantlyf las the four ships formed
an, line OF battle and sailed slowly by the
.fbyt, exchanging shot for shot. as far as
pesstble'as t:-a+ O. -t7'e' '.st
tN'oship Begins BOmbnrdment.
Before attacking the fort the ships made
a dstour and then swung we'll in toward
Fishers island and commenced the bonn
bardment after two ships had taken posi-
ton at the front and rear Of Fort Wright.
Colonel Davis, commanding the district,
was at the signal station. The airing was
kept up for about half an hour, when
the ships sailed well out toward the race
again, the defenders believing the ships
were tos retreat in the direction whence
they came. 40
Suddenly the ships turned and again
made q vigorous attack on Fort Wright,
this time attempting to make a landing.
lone OF the big ships drew in pretty close
TO. the forts and with rapld-ire covered
the landing party, but In opposition to
this movement the Calling guns at the
fort were brought into requisition and the
landing party was. evidently repealed, or
rather that particular phase OF this at
tack was not considered successful. After
the conclusion Of this second attack. Aftee
ships steamed out into the race and back
10 the. direction OF Block island.
Both or, the passage to and from Fort
Wright. the ships made attacks on Fort
Mansfield at Napatree point and It is 1yire
likely. that Mansfield VIII be considered as
having been reduced by the enemy, and
perhaps the enemy will claim, Fort Wright,
gAS Rh.F sAt1E toarNotolx dtd ma $50 a.
nercest kind q. a fight.
Fire r. Very Effective.
The ships were handled skiIlfully and
their fire was very effeetive. Still army
offcefs claim that Fort Wright was COM
petent to lGope with four battleshIps, even
without assistance from Forts MichlsF ana
TerryA The latter forts did not take "a
very active part In the maneuvers this
morning, perhaps not over twenty shots
being fred from both these forts at the
bsttleships engaging with Fort Wright.
The result Of this mornings conflict viii
rot be known until after the umplre's re-
port and perhaps It will be the occasion Of
much dIscussioH on the part of the board OF
arbitration. dts was a most magnificent
ATTACK and, able defense, from the Btrate-
gists' standpoint. go
2 After aehot hattie, lasting several hours,
the invading vessels left the bay to reioin
the squadron The result is in doubt and
viii, be until the 1ofipial reports are made.
Colonel DrEe. claims the victory for the
.Arueya He asserts that the hostile feet
was disabled. driven on and defeated.
Fleet OF ships Sighted.
CUTTINHUNB CVia PasQue .~Island),
Mass, Sept. 8,-A feet Of eight war ships
was sighted this morning moving from the
westward toward New Bedford. Among
them were olympia, Gloucester. Brooklyn.
. cruiser not identified. Mayfower and the
tugs Leyden and Nina The feet was west
OF Cuttihunk at 8 o'clock and Puritan had
Joined the other vessels.
The feet worked itself up toward Buzz.
Yards bay and when on the eastern APP
proaeh, of New, Bedford opened Are. This
was about S;l5 o'clock. The guns from
the Notifications responded promptly.
10. Reports Victory over ships.
FORT TRUMBULL. NEW LONDON.
Conn, Sept. S.-The Arst dispatch following
this warnings, engagement OF Fort Wright
!, was received by Major General MacArthur
shortly after . O'Clock as follows;
PROSPECT HILL FORT. TRUMBuLL4
Wright reports arst ship. Kearserge, put
third ship. pXiaSsma, put out Of action
at 5:35 a, m. All the ships were afterward
!, repeatedly fred Upon by all the guns at
short range, 1900 apd 1000 yards, and could
have been declared out of action several
times. Indiana also put out OF action at
$50 by fire from Fort Niche.
, ~. -. r-- DAVIS, Commanding District
The excellent signal service Of the army
was again well demonstrated this morn
ing as headquarters had at all times knowl-
edge OF the whereabouts of the snemy.
News from Block Island tonight gives
information that ths detachment Of signal
. men in charge Of Lieutenant Smell, Con-
: ~necticut National guard. were again in pos
! session Of the station, the captors having
, evidently returned 70 their ships.