New-York tribune., 1902-08-24
HIGGINSON'S SHIPS OFF.
THOUGHT THAT ENEU1 HAS
BEEN SIGHTED.
THE RATTLESHIPS KEARSARGE, ALA
BAMA AND MASSACHUSETTS
PUT TO SEA.

Rockport Mass Aug 23-The battleships of
Admiral Higginson's fleet put to sea under
urgent orders at $50 O'Clock tonight, indi-
eating that some has been received of
Commander Pillsbury. The weather conditions
at 10 O'Clock o-night slightly in favor OF
the enemy. the sky being overcast and an east
erly wind prevailing.
MANY dispatches came in the early evening,
the tenor being that the White squadron was
not far at sea off the Isles of Shoals, Ports
mouth, At 10 o'clock tonight the cruiser
Olympia was inside the islands. the Brooklyn
was cruising to seaward and the Decatur was
patrollng Portsmouth Harbor With the bat
tleships bound northward, il would appear that
Commander Pillsbury is expected 10 make his
run in toward land tonight at either Ports
mouth or York harbor.
This afternoon il understood that one or
Commander Pllshurys cruisers had been re-
ported off Rockland. Me. This is long dis
tance beyond the northeriy limit of the defence
line but IL vas suggested that either the enemy
was making a feint TO draw preponderance of
the hghting strength of Admiral Higginson's
feet to Portland. that a quick counter dash
could be made into Massachusetts Bay. or else
he wanted Information TO the blockade con-
ditions
The Blue squadron officers certain that
the enemy has his own intelligence bureau along
the shore and has landed officers at Rockland.
Me and ProvinCetown. Mass. Suspicious sig
nails at Cape Porpoise, Isles OF Shoals. and even
here at Rockport. indicate that the blockade
running plan has not been entirely drawn up
at sea.
on board Admiral Hgginsons flagship
kearsarge Aug. 23.-The position Of Com
nander Pisbury. the game he is play
ing and the point Of his contemplated at
tempt to strike the NewEngland Coast are
Il
among the officers and men in general are
causing a remarkabl bly, severe tension. For days
they have been on constant watch. anxious
lest some condition hitherto unthought of might
develop and their anxiety is telling them.
Still it is the general belief that if Comma nder
Pillsbury hopes to wear out his enemy by a
waiting game he is in This theory was
advanced and later rejected on the ground
that no man knows better than does Com
mander Psbury the waiting qualities of the
Yankee sailors and il is considered exceedingly
improbable that he would attempt such move.
1t was also advanced that the commander of
the white squadron would attempt to capture
one of the defending squadron's vessels and thus
weaken Admiral Higginsons line of defence,
but fears were relieved this morning when a
report showed that not vessel was missing
What made the situation more compiicate! To-
day was that the calculations as to Commander
Pillsburys game have so far been found Wide OF
fact. Last night he was favored with the most
perfect weather for attack in the dark
Late last night the Biddle ordered by Ad-
miral Higginson to make extended tour or
the coast northward The torpedo boat sklrted
the coast putting I'm near Salem and Hlouces-
ter and it was 6 40 this morning before she re-
turned She reported everything quiet. ana re-
sumed her position in the fleet TINS gave Al
miraI Higginson d force of three batt'eshlps-
the Massachusetts, the kearsarge ana the Ala
! bama-and two torpedo boats-the Biddle ana
the BagIey-off this point. all of which lie about
\ mile and half from Straitsmouth Light
house.
Much interest is felt aboard the flagship in
the trial of the new batteship. Maine. but that
interest is of course oVershadowed by the de-
sire to learn something of Commander Pillsbury
and his fleet. To-days reports, however gave
nothing to satisfy that desire.
The appearance of the cruisers Brooklyn and
Olympia away out to sea to-day caused mucn
excitement aboard this ship. Captain Hemphill.
Executive officer Wood Admiral Higginson and
Flag Lieutenant Evans were all on the bridge.
The anchor chain ordered shortened to
thirty fathoms Everybody on duty went 10
his post and the signal halyards were kept
busy with the sending of messages. which could
not be read by the Brooklyn. The Biddle went
offshore ut a twenty-five knot clip. and. ar
irving within easy challenging distance of the
| Brooklyn. the latter reported no news, which
| answer was quickly brought back to Admiral
! Higginson. II not long after this that the
Brooklyn and Olympia steamed back TO the
eastward.
The day spent chiefly in cleaning the ship.
the afternoon being made, as far as possible a
| half holiday The men and officers took life
easy The feeling was that if the enemy did
not appear tonight 1t would be very surprising,
as il was believed that Commander Piiisbury
would not wait until the last night of his time
before ma king his attack