The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-26

Almost Perfecf-ActuaI Conditions
of Warfare Are Being Maintained.
Rockport, Mass August 21.-The bat
tleships Of Rea- Admiral H~igginson's
squadron defending the New England
coast from an imaginary attack by a
feet under Commander JOhn E. Pills
bury, were plainly seen in the clear at
mosphere from this point this morning.
The other vessels of Admiral Higgin-
sons command were scattered along
the horizon or i'll view at nearer points
maintaining guard of the coast.
The night passed without unusual in
cident and no trace. of the enemy was
reported from any of the signal sta
tons along the shore. All conditions
at the beginning of the day were con-
sidered as favOrIng the defending feet
as apparently il would be inviting de-
lection were Commander Pillsbury to
attempt to approach the coast under
the cloudless sky and with absolutely
no mist or haze to obstruct vision for
miles at sea. Nevertheless the coast
guard ships We're on the move early in
the morning.
Off toward Cape Cod we're the Brook
Ign and the Olympia. The battleshiDs
Kearsarge, Massachusetts and Ala
bama Were outside Straitsmouth point
near Thatcher's Island their position
being at about the centre of the line
of defence. The Mayfiower and the
Scorpion were on duty off the Isle of
Shoals n the other vessels We're sta
toned at more distant points or were
moving to and fro acting as patrols
along the picket line.
The telegraph n telephone were
very busy today with the transmission
OF report from Various signal stations.
There is not a point from Portland to
ProVlncetown where extended sea OBJ
~servation can be obtained. but what is
manned by watchmen from the vessels
of Admiral HigginSOn. Each station
has been heard Of from time to time
rand those in charge of the central
naval station here are satisfied that
the signal system is as nearly perfect
as 1T can be. Not only are the impor-
ant points occupied by men from the
warships; but in some cases marines
n signal men are with them and they
rave the cooperation of the lighthouse
keepers and of the various life saving
crews.
All reports received up to noon to-
day We're the same, u the effect that
nothing had been seen of the enemy"
As far as possible, those in charge
of the central station here are main
tanning conditions of actual warfare.
Ensign Berry and Midshipman Fitz-
patrick receive reports handle dis
patches and direct affairs. Today Cap
tain y. T. Helmes of the Kearsarge
was at the station for the purpose of
getting an accurate land view of the
vessels as they moved about at sea.
There is evidence today that Com
mander Pillsbury has stationed spies at
the main points included in the opera
lions for the defense of the coast. The
first intimation of anything of this
sort came from P~rovincetown where.
it was suspected hat an officer had
been landed. Investigations led to the
belief that at other places and even
closer secrecy If possible, than had been
maintained before and to order that
sharp watch be kept for suspicious per-
sons.
Not for a moment during the af err
noon did the ba~ttleships give up their
watchfulnesS. Soon after the noon
hour a heavy storm came Oil, the sky
being decidedly black. In the driving
rains. the impression formed by the
sailors was n probability that Con-
mander Pillsbury would strike his
blow on such Il night as this promises
to be- But the adverse weather made
the stations of the defending squadron
along the AtlantiC~C Coast Line all tbs
more active and alert. Messages G. N.
in from various points, from Portland
20 - y y
quickness.
In an hour the rain had passed hui
the thick weather remained and is
dusk came on q mist Crept over the Sur
tace of the water. 1t was 81 dark night
The darkness was just coming IN wber
Admiral HigginsOn gave the ordec Il
his battleShipS to weigh anchor 81
hurriedly had messages been given ana
so many trips did the dispatch laurche:
make between the shore and the Rear
sarge. hat it was thought the moV,
this time was out to sea- The admir-
al, however, allowed the squadron t.
pass but a little to the south; IN fact
nearer in shore and with in hai,in:
distance of Thatchers island. Thi
change of anchorage was brough
about for two reasons. The dGmlra
wished to keep his ships in varying 10
cations, and to puzzle the spies OF TIT
white squadron, who it was tiImly be
leved. were strung along the coast
Again the admiral wished to get il
touch with the Straits Mouth Poin
life saving station. where was estab
Iished tonight an elaborate sySem O
rocket signalling.
AS the night wore on the sky lost lit
tie of its blackness. and the Fact tina
q constant stream of messages from tn
north to the south showed clearl,
enough that the defending squadron
feared the approach of Commando
Pillsbury.