The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-28
HIGGINSON's REPORT.
Official Review of the Search Com
Quoted by the Naval Squadrons.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-The Navy De-
partment made public to-day Rear Admiral
Higginson's official report upon the search
problem" which was conducted by the blue
fleet, under his own command and the
white squadron. under Commander Pills
bury, off the New England coast. The ad-
miral's report. which is dated United States
Flagship Kearsarge. Menemsea Blight
Mass, Aug. %, follows:
''Sir-I have the honor to report that at
$40 a. m. OF the oath inst, off Magnolia,
Mass, the blue feet, under my command
captured the white fleet, under the COM
mand of Commander John E. Pillsbury, L.
S. N, after four days of anxious watching
Commander Pillsbury's fleet was deficient
in speed His evasion of the outside scouts
and arrival on the coast undetected was,
think very creditable TO him.
THE result of the operation in regard to
my own force, was to gather very valuable
information for the intelligence office con-
corning the capabilities of defense and
means of communication along the stretch
of New England coast from Cape Cod to
Portland This information is valuable and
should be preserved for future use. L di-
rected the observers at the different sta
tions to answer the questions on the in
closed list in regard to the point at which
they were stationed.
1.-The line of coast over which I had
charge was divided into five districts. each
in charge of an officer provided with scout
ing vessels and a number of observers at
shore stations. These districts all reported
by telephone or telegraph, or by whatever
means of communication they could estab-
lish with the central district at Rockport,
where Ensign Berry, L. $. N, in
charge of the central office, and transmitted
to me by means of steam launches, torpedo
boats and signals from shore whatever in
formation was received. The reports of the
district commanders and observers will be
forwarded to the department Tor It's lnfor-
nation.
Il can only say that the operations have
been very beneficial in training the young
men in scouting and as observers. l have
already written to the department about
the valuable service rendered by the tor
pedo boat Flotilla, under the command of
Lieutenant Chandler. | take this occasion.
however, to urge upon the department the
establishment upon all vessels of the navy
a wireless telegraphy outfit. In my opinion
it is of incalculable value, and no expense
should be spared to hasten its adoption.
The squadron has been withdrawn to Me-
nemsha Blight, preparatory to the combined
army and navy maneuVers.
Following is the special order referred 10
In Admiral HigginsOns report. which has
/ been issued to the observers who were at
various stations along the coast:
"The commanding officer of the scouting
/ districts and all observers will make re-
| ports on the search problem as far as their
special duties extended. In making up
their reports they will answer the follow
/ ing questions as far as they pertain tc the
/ duty they were employed upon:
'First-What means of communication
/ did you or establish?
"SecOnd-What other means would you
/ suggest (outside of wireless telegra phyO
"Third-What difficulties did you encoun-
/ ter in keeping UP the communications, or
/ of reporting to stations?
"FOurth-COuld you reach all places by
/ telephone and what centers did you have
/ to go through?
/ "Fifth-What stations did you establish,
\ and were they efficient?
! "SiXth-What other stations would you
/ establish now after the experience Of this
/ problem?
/ 'Seventh-What accommodations were
found for lodging and subsistence?
"Eighth-What should be the outfit OF
/ stations 10 suit the conditions you found?'