The Van Buren press., 1902-09-06
A RAFTING GOOD FIGHT.
Third Attack By the Navy On the
Forts of the New London,
Conn.,, District.
HEAVY COMMANDMENT OF FORT WRIGHT
Fort Mansfield Also Attacked-The
Land Forces Made n Spirited De-
fense-The Technical Result VIII
Not he known Until the Umpire
Makes Report.

Fort Trumbull, New London, Conn.,,
Sept. headquarters of Army OF
Defense-Early Wednesday morning
the naval academy made its third at
tack on the forts of New London dis
trict. 1t is said to have been the
most effective as wei as most spec
tacular move that has taken place
since the maneuvers Logan. The mr.
ing began at $3.50, and continued al
most necessarily for two hours, beng
directed at Fort Wright, Fishers is
land. The attacking squadron was
composed of the battleships kear-
sarge, Alabama, Massachusetts and
Indiana.
-Four Ships Seen Coming.
The sun was well up when the four
ships were seen coming from the d.
rection of GARDENERS bay, where
they were at anchor Tuesday night.
Just as soon as the first ship was
within firing distance she was fired
upon from TT. Niche, but no atten-
ton was paid to this warning, for
the ships came right along, heading
in the direction. of Fort Wright, 1t
seemingly being the purpose to cap
ture that strongly-fortified place, be-
lieved to be capable, with the aid Oh
sorts Niche and Terry, of coping
with the strongest feet ahoat The
ships kept pretty well out in passing
Race Rock light, but made no attempt
to enter into an engagement with
either Niche or Terry, very few
guns being fired from these forts dur
ing the two hours of fighting. 1t was
determined attack on Fort Wright,
and the firing from the guns and
mortars of the fort was kept up in
cessantly as the four ships formed in
line Of battle and saned slowly by
the fort, exchanging sho, Ior shot as
far as possible.
swung In to Fishers Island.
After passing the fort, the ships
made n detour, and then swung well
in toward Fishers island, and com
mcnced the bombardment after two
ships each had taken position at the
front and rear Of Forft Wright The
firing was kept up for about half an
hour, when the ships sailed well out
toward the Race Rock again, the de-
Tenders believing the ships were to
retreat in the direction whence they
came. Suddenly the ships turned and
again made vigorous attack on TT.
Wright, this time attempting to make
a landing.
The Rnpid-Frc Guns mt Work.
One of the big ships drew in pretty
close to the fort and with rapid fire
covered the landing party, but in OPP
position to this movement the Calling
guns at the tort were brought into
rcquisition, and the landing party
was repealed or, rather, that p0rtlc'
ular phase of this attack was not con-
sdered successful, After the conch-
sion of this second attack, the ships
steamed out into the race and back
in the direction OF Block island,
Fort Mansfield Also Attacked,
Both on the passage to and from
TT. Wright, the ships made attacks on
Fort Mansfield, at Napatree point,
and it Is quite likely that Mansfield
las been reduced by the enemy, and
perhaps the enemy wi claim TT.
Wright for the ships certainly did
put up the ferccst kind Of a naval
attack. They were handled skifully,
and their fire was very effectiyce.
Still, army officers claim that TT.
Wright was competen, to contend
with four battlcships without assist
ance from Forts Niche and Terry,
The latter forts did not take q very
active part In the maneuvers, per-
haps not over 20 shots being fired
from both these forts at the battle
ships engaging with TT. Wright.
Awaiting Umpirc's Report.
The result Of the mornings conflict
will not be known until the umpire 4
report, and perhaps II will be the
occasion Of much discussion on tho
part of the board OF arbitration. II
was most magnificent attack, and
an able defense, from the strategist's
standpoint.
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