The semi-weekly messenger., 1902-08-22

AfS4S - ~hASS- AuEuss ~ ne
unique war game in which the rival
fleets OF Amiral Francis J. Higinsot
and Commander John Z. PiIlsbury are
pitted against each other began at
noon today. The North Atlantic
coast is now threatened by a theoretical
ly powerful squadron OF hostile ships
from the attack OF which an equally
able fleet will attempt TO defend IL.
This is the first series CT manoeuvres in
which the ships will participate and 1t
will be under the direction OF the navy
department alone.
Such practice as follows the copclu-
sion of this first contest Will be the
joint work Of the army and navy de-
partments. Commander Pillsbury's
fleet. which is known as the White,
squadron, sailed from Provincetown on
Monday and is now at sea. It's pres
ent whereabouts is unknown to AdmI.
raj Higginson, whose force Is known
as the Blue squadron.
1t was understood that the latter
fleet. which made its appearance in this
harbor last Saturday, was. under the
rules of the contest, to remain here
until the afternoon today At any time
after that hour Admiral Higginson was
free TO sail in search OF the enemy"
1t will be the object of the White
squadron to effect a lanulng at some
unfortified place along the coast "a
soon as possible after TINS fixed hour
and occupy the position without inter-
ference for at least six hours. 1t is tn
duty of the defending feet &c prevent
q N Sh hal fr~
PURPOSE. If Admiral - Higginsosa fazs<1H
the hostile vessels before they can get
within striking distance the victory IS
with him. IL Pillsbury with hts ships
should elude Higginson and land his
force he must occupy the place he has
captured and be free from j scovery
during the six nour period agreed upon.
If he is located before this time limit
expires 1t is scored as a defeat for him.
The first series of manoeuvres Is pure
~ technical and there will be no SEM
blance of an engagement betwee-l the
ships. No shots will be fired except
positively upon the discovery OF The
hostile fleet at night when the fl nR
would be entirely for signaling ar
poses and to announce the disco ~
of Pillsburys squadron.
Admiral Higginson lost no t...s In
getting under way after the hour
agreed upon for the beginning OF the
| noon the ships We're getting up steam
and at about II o'clock they began to
weigh anchor and half an hour later
all, except the flagship KearsarRe, had
started out. First the Mayfiower and
one of the torpedo boats headed out
| side the break water. bearing toward
| the north. A second torpedo boat fol-
lowed toward the northeast. The
| Brooklyn and the Olympia moved out
| together with the Alabama astern Of
the latter and the Massachusetts, at
| the end OF the line. These ships seem
| ed to make directly east. Just before
noon a torpedo boat came in from the
south and after Joining another vessel
Of the same class. both steamed out
| together, accompanied BY the Scorpion.
| The Thornton and the Gloucester weG.
| out by the southern passage just before
| o'clock. AT about the same moEiSnI
| the Montgomery Accompanied Oy thn
Leyden, moved to the s. &. ,.y-z.'. Tr;c
| left the Kearsarge and O.. IoTp~do cat
| inside the breakwater. Ill the ship
| after going two miles of shoie. dropped
| their speed and lay 10. Apparently wait
| ing for the Kearsarge TO Joint them.
Commander PillsOury : squadron =.
| Guides the auxiliary cruisers Prar.~
autner and supply.
Rear Admiral HIgEiEGCn E=s MS
! flagship. the Kearsarge and twD oiner
| the Alabama. and the cru Brook
| iyn, Olympia and Montgome-y, be-
| sides seven torpedo boats, two unarmor-
| ed gunboats, two tugs and the con-
| verted yachts Mayfiower and Gloucss-
| ter. The torpedo boats are the Shd-
! brick. Decatur (detroyer), Thornto-.
! Stockton, Bagley. Barney and Bid:.!e
| Peoria.
| While the vessels Of the White squad
| ron are understood 10 represent an at
| taclxing force Of great power. in re-
| ity it can hardly be compared witz
| the defending compliment Commadel
| Pillsbury's three auxiliary cruisers have
| an average displacement of 5000 tons
| and an average speed of thirteen knots
| Admiral Higginson's squadron include@
| battleships Of nearly IL 900 tons average
| displacement and near seventeen
! knots average speed; cruisers, the
| slowest of which is a 1s-knot veA7Sl
| and torpedo boats good for 20 10 :
| knots.
i