New-York tribune., 1902-08-27
WORK WITH THE BIG GUNS.
THE BATTERIES ON FISHERS ISLAND
TESTED FOR WAR GAME.
TWO TARGETS DENoLISHED-ARMY OFF,
GERS CONTINUE TO ARRIVE AT
NEW-ONDOH
GBI TELEGRAPH TO TEE TRIBUNE.

GBI TELEaRAFH TO TEE IRlBuNE.l
New-London. Conn, Aug 2S.-Ffshers Island
the centre of military operations to-day
All day long the booming Of the big guns at
target practice could be heard Major General
Macarthur and Brigadier Generals Greedy, Gil
lespie and Crosier and their respective stafts
went the island on the Kanawha early this
morning to test the guns at Fort II. G. Wright.
All The batteries. except the mortar battery,
which tested last week, had thorough tests
The shooting excellent. Twice the target
demolished, and the extent of the practice
limited by the speedy reduction of the tar
get
In the morning practice the target used was
float carrying red flag at either end and
intended TO represent batteship This vas
towed by tug at the end of very long
havser. Almost the first shot fired passed De
tween the flags at elevation that would have
meant destruction to any ship. After this many
we'll aimed shots were fired from both the
and l. inch guns. The men were on their
mettle in the presence of their commander and
presently had the satisfaction of landing shot
exactly in the target. which was reduced to
tangled of splinters and rope
Later wooden pyramid was towed out be-
yond the Race. and the shooting continued.
This time he Pinch disa ppearng guns did the
work The pyramid towed out until II was
scarcely visible from the shore. and then the
firing began. The first shots we're in good ilne.
but landed beyond the target, sending great
waterspouts into the air they ricochetteo'
Then passing schooner interrupted the firing
and gave the range finders chance TO work
out new calculation. When the firing began
again. the first shot struck the target fa1rlF
and, with the glass. the splinters could be seen
hying in all directions This ended the prac-
tice.
Some apprehension was expressed by the sum-
mer colony at Fishers Island over the shooting,
but when the practice began they gathered in
great crowds along the bluffs that overlook
Fort Wright TO watch the firing. The only
hitch in the days proceedings was the landing
of shot on the extreme end of the island well
inside the military reservation. The angle OF
the gun, which turned toward the race, was
responsible for this. No harm done, how
ever though the shot struck a few feet from
the garrison COW.
As the day of the manuuvres draws near the
general impression grows that Fishers Island
with Fort II. w. Wright. will be the centre OF
the operations. 1t is the only island which will
afford opportunities for landing parties. AT
present the government forts commanded by
unfortified bluffs which belong to private own
ers Prospect Hill. the highest point on the
island is occupied by the signal corps, but there
are no fortfcatfons. a part Of the garrison
has been placed in tents along the beach. ana
the camp gives the place the look OF Il field cam
paign.
The invasion of New-London by the army OFF,
GERS continues With Major General Macarthur
and Brigadier Generals Greely, Crozier and Gil
lespie, chief Of the signal. ordnance and engi-
neer corps, respectively, here, General Randolph
chief of artillery. is the Only general missing
and he is expected hourly Colonel Reber passed
through this city to-day 10 Point Judith, where
he viii direct the balloon corps. He is a mem
l,ar ,F ara1 taft hufn "
the signal corps during the manoeuvres
General Gillespie viii use the lighthouse
steamer Iris his boat With him VIII bc
Major Russell. who has charge OF this light
house district. The kanawha will be used by
Major General Macarthur. General Greely will
stick to automobiles for transportation. He
goes to Narragansett soon to inspect the sta
tions established there.
The navy is represented here by the PANTHER
and the Scorpion and the torpedo boat Decatur
The Panther is at present lying off the Pequot
House, turning It's guns menacingly at General
NacArthur's headquarters She will stay here
until Saturday, when she VIII take on the Con-
necticut Naval Reserves and join the feet.
The signal corps work continues to be the
most interesting feature of the preparations
For the first time wireless telegraphy IS 20 be
employed for war purposes. The automobile
also an unknown quantity, will have thorough
trial Then the spectacular quality Of the sigma!
are now being sent back and forth along the
coast. BY tomorrow the exact situation of the
signal corps will be determined.
These days before open warfare are devoted TO
inspection With hts staff officers and the chiefs
of the several corps, General Macarthur is
going from fort to fort watching target practice
and getting a complete grasp of the situation.
During the visit Of General Macarthur and
his staff at Fort Wright to-day, the first council
Of war was held. All the chiefs of corps. ex-
Cept the artillery were present, and the plans
for the campaign were carefully discussed Each
corps is now getting down to basis under
the direction Of its chief, and by Thursday re-
ports will he made to the commanding officer of
the entire situation.
The Signal Corps numbers seventy men
of the regular army. The NewHaven contin-
gent OF the volunteers has also arrived here
and been put "a work. The Massachusetts
corps will probably he stationed along Nara
sansett Bay. The tug Unique, which is equipped
with the Deforest system of wireless telegraphy,
was here to-day getting ready for service. This
is one of the three tugs equipped with wireless
apparatus which will be used by General Greedy.
An extensive searchlight drill to night COM
pleted the days preparations Three powerful
searchiights from Fort Wright and two on Fort
Niche were used. The entire sweep OF the
narrow entrance was clearly lighted up. From
the deck of the Kanawha General Macarthur
and his staff watched the play. The arrange
rpent of the lights forms an interior angle for
the picking up of hostile ships. The searchlight
Of Fort Terry. ccmmand nding Plum Gut, was also
in use.