The Savannah morning news., 1902-08-24
BATTLESHIPS PUT TO SEA.
White Squadron Believed to BE Men.
acing the Coast.

Rockport. Mass. Aug. 23.-The line
of battleships of Admiral Higginson's
fleet. which are defending a lengthy
strip of New England coast from
supposed foreign foe. put to sea I'M
der urgent orders at $3.50 tonight, in
dicating that some news has been re-
ceived of Commander Pillsbury.
The weather conditions at 10 o'clock
tonight were slightly in favor of the
enemy, the sky being overcast, and
an easterly blow prevailing. Many
dispatches came during the early ev-
ening. the tenor of them indicating
that the White Squadron was not far
at sea off the Isle of Shoals, off Ports
mouth
At 10 o'clock tonight the cruiser
Olympia was inside the Islands. the
Brooklyn was cruising to seward off
there, and the Decatur was patrolling
Portsmouth harbor. With Admiral
Higginson's battleships bound north
ward. II would appear that Comman-
der Pillsbury is expected to make his
run IN towards land tonight off either
Portsmouth or York harbors.
This afternoon IL was understood
that one of Commander Pillsburys
cruisers had been reported off Rock
land, Me. This is a long distance be-
yond the northerly limit of the block
AIDE line, but it was suggested that
either the enemy was making a feint
to draw a preponderance of fighting
strength of Admiral Higginsons fleet
to Portland so that a quick counter
dash be made into Massachusetts bay
or else Commander Pills bury's desired
news as to the blockade condition. The
Blue Squadron officers are certain that
the enemy has its own intelligence bu-
reau along the shore, and has landed
officers at Rockland, Ne. and Prov
incetown. Mass.
Suspicious signals at Cape Porpoise
on the Isles of Shoals, and even here
at Rockport, indicate that the block
ade running plan has not been entire
ly drawn up at sea.
Three Vessels sighted.
A signal man of the Blue Squadron
at II O'Clock tonight reported to the
naval base officers that he sighted
three large vessels going to the north
ward at a 14-knot clip, but they were
too far off shore for him to identify
them. 1t is presumed here that Ad-
miral Higginson made a wide sweep
on Massachusetts Bay before running
up the coast.
Soon after IL O'Clock two torpedo
boats appeared off here, and it is learn
ed that they We're detached from the
battleships and ordered back to patrol
in this neighborhood.
Many II the naval officers nave con-
jectured ttat Commander Pillsbury
would delay his attack as long as pos
sible and then by strategy EN- leavor to
strike the naval base.
The return of the torpedo boats did
not surprise those who are keeping
close watch on the situation here
Something appeared to have gone
wrong with the line of communication
during the evening, rather perpleXing
the naN.I intelligence offs ers. The
wires ~ several points are reported
crossed ~ cut, and some messages re-
ceived were rather mixed
To Find Who Cut Wires.
An extraordinary effort was being
made at a late hour to determine if
the breaks along the line were from
natural causes or are the result of the
enemy's plans. In view of what has
happened in the central station here,
there is now some wonderment if Ad-
miral Higginson will find that the
White Squadron is at the north end
of his line.
Cape Cod has not been sighting the
scouts of the Blue Squadron at night,
Island reported that two coaling ten
ders were off Menemsha blight, Vine
yard sound. These craft are simply
there in readiness to coal the fleet
before the second series of maneuvers.