The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-05
Supposed Disabled Warship Engaged
Last Night with Forts Wright,
Niche and Terry.
AN ATTEMPT AT SURPRISE
IN WHICH ADMIRAL HIGGINSON'S
BATTLESHIP TOOK PART.
Midnight Bombardment During Which
Many Shots Were Fired-Land-
ing Probable.

FISHERS ISLAND, N. Y, Sept. AT
five minutes after 10 o'clock tonight a
genera, alarm rang out over Fort Wright,
and all the troops were called to arms. At
that hour searchlight No. picked up the
cruiser Brooklyn as she speeding to
the westward toward the race. At first
1t was supposed that the cruiser was on
her way to New York for repairs, but she
came so close to the island that a warning
shot fired, and to the surprise of the
officer she replied vigorously. This action
leads to the belief that the reported acct
dent to the Brooklyn has been exaggerated
by the navy officials for the purpose Of
throwing the defenders of the fort off their
guard.
The firing had been on but few mo-
ments when the Olympia was sighted
closely following the Brooklyn and she,
too, opened up with every available gun
the forts. After these two vessels
passed through the race three batteships
were picked up by the searchlights, and
fears that landing would be made caused
the officers to send the second relief with
Calling gun down to the dock. the only
safe place at which landing can be made.
The battleships were soon recognized as
the Kearsarge, Massachusetts, and Ala
bama, and they were proceeding toward the
race in the order named. AS they passed
the forts they opened fire. Every gun at
Fort Wright was now blazing away, and
Forts Terry and Niche were also making
a valiant attempt to put the ships out of
business. The range was about 1900 yards.
The dense smoke, both from the guns of
the battleships and forts, now enveloped
the former. The ships soon took advan-
tage of this and scudded away through the
race.
At 11:15 the ten-inch implacement an
nounced that the ships had anchored five
miles off the island to the westward The
second relief was hurriedly recalled 1--we
minutes later. 1t is the belief here that
the maneuvers of the five ships were for
the purpose Of keeping the attention Of the
defenders to the west end of the island
while an attempt was made to land party
on the east end. 1t is confidently expected
that an attempt will be made to land to-
night, and every precaution has been taken
to repel the invaders.
| At midnight Forts Terry and Niche
were firing an occasional shot with their
long-range guns. The first shot was fired
at 10 o'clock from a ten-inch gun, and the
order to cease firing was given at Ills
The ships were therefore under an inces-
SAINT fire for exactly one nour and five
minutes. The six-inch battery fired ZIG
shots all told. The ten-inch battery fired
thirty-one shots at the Brooklyn and seven
| at the Olympia. The mortars Were brought
into play on the battleships. The Olympia
turned her searchlight on the range find
ers' station, and for some time made it
impossible for the men stationed there to
use their telescopes.
The men on duty are ready at a mo-
ments notice to man the guns and the
second relief is sleeping beside their arms.