The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-22
ATTACK NOT YET MADE.
PiIIsbury's Hostile Fleet Awaiting
Better Co ndftions-CIoudie Sky
Invited Detection.

PiIIsbury's Hostile Fleet Awaiting
Better AConditsens-CIoudie Sky
Invited Detection.
tleships of Rear Admiral Higginson's
squadron defending the New England
coast from an imaginary attack by
fleet under Commander John E. Pills
bury, were plainly seen in the clear
atmosphere from this point this morn
ing. The other vessels of Admiral
Higginson's command were scattered
along the horizon, or in view at nearer
points maintaining guard of the coast
The night passed withot unusual Incl
dent and no trace of the enemy" was
reported from any of the signal sta
lions along the shore.
All conditions at the beginning of
the day were considered as favoring
the defending fleet. as apparently 1t
would be inviting detection were Com
mander Pillsbury to attempt to APP
proach the coast under the cloudless
sky and with absolutely no mist or
haze to obstruct vision for miles and
miles at sea. Nevertheless, the coast
guard ships were on the move early
in the morning.
Position of the ships.
VII lOWdI Sdpc SOQ MClC IhC
Brooklyn and the Olympia. The bat
tleships Kearsage, Massachusetts and
Alabama were outside Straithsmouth
Point. near Thatcher's Island, their
position being at about the center of
the line of defense. The Mayfiower
and the Scorpion were on duty off the
Isles of Shoals and the other vessels
were stationed at more distant points
or were moving to and fro, acting
patrols of the nickel line
The telegraph and telephone were
very busy to-day with the transmission
OF reports from various signal stations.
There is not a point from Portland to
Provincetown, 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
and those in charge of the central ma
val station here are satisfied that the
signal system is as nearly perfect as
II can be. Not only are the important
points occupied by men from the war
ships, but in some cases marines and
signal men are with them, and they
nave the cooperation of the lighthouse
Keepers and of the various life saving
corps. All reports received UP to noon
to-day were the same, to the effect that
nothing had been seen of the enemy"
war Conditions Observed.
AS far as possible, those in charge of
the central station here are maintain
ing conditions of actual warfare. En-
sign Berry and Midshipman FitZpat-
rick receive reports, handle dispa tches
and direct affairs. To-day Capt. N. T.
Helmes, of the Kearsage, vas at the
station for the purpose of getting an
accurate land view of the vessels as
they moved about at sea.
There is evidence to-day that Com
mander Pillsburg has stationed spies
at the main points included in the OPP
trations for the defense of the coast.
Inc first intimation of anything of
TINS sort came from Provincetown,
Where 1t was suspected that an officer
nad been landed. Investigations led
70 the belief that at other places, and
even at this station such spies had
peen sent. This prompted to even
closer secrecy, if possible than had
neen maintained before. and to orders
mat sharp watch be kept for suspicious
persons.