Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-08-25

flagship and it was not long after that
that the Prairie headed down the
coast. A little later signals were given
for the Blue squadron to return to
Rockport. Later by the came system
from Portland to the top of Cape Cod,
and that for purposes of defence
score of war vessels were employed
by the defending admiral.
At $40 O'Clock, the three battleships,
aided by the converted yacht Scorpion,
of communication established and
maintained so successfully since
"Wednesday. messages were dispatched
to all points from Portland to Province
town ordering all the warships OF the
defending squadron to return to Rock
mort for further instructions and at
the same time to collect on the way to
this harbor all the signalmen who had
been detailed at both island and main
land stations along the coast,
The main theme of discussion in
Rockport, tonight, amongst the sea-
faring people was the apparent re-
lection of all strategic movements by
Commander Pillsbury. He had not
tried to land officers or marines ashore
to learn of the enemy's movements,
the defence just before daylight when
capture seemed inevitable.
In an interview on his flagship Adj
miral Higginson expressed his pleasure
at the real work which had been done
during The week. He. commended
Staehle. the apprentice boy, who was
the first to report the presence OF
Commander Pillsbury's squadron. he
said he believed that to some extent
the maneuvres had taught the navy its
points of weakness and strength our
ing time of real action, and he be-
lieved much good would come from the
war game.
To an Associated Press correspondent
Admiral Higginson spoke very free-v
of the signal service. he lald, speclai
emphasis upon the effective work Oh
the men detailed to signal duty ana
said he intended to issue commenda-
tory letter to all the men OF ms COM
mand. He scored the telephone service,
and said it appeared very antlquatec.
He emphasized the necessity OF the
wireless telegraphy and illustrated the
benefits if ships of the navy were mt
ted with this new invention.
There would have been no need OF
the torpedo scouts he said, for l
would have known at all times the ex-
act location of my ships. We need TINS
service badly We are three years be-
hind our foreign friends in this respect
and hope the system will be installed
on the ships of the navy very soon.
Commander Pillsbury was asked re-
garding his movements and stated
when he left Provincetown, last Tues
day. his fleet steamed directly to sea,
running off some 400 miles southeast
of Cape Cod. His plan was to lay off
there until Saturday night and then to
try for Salem harbOr Coming on the
coast, last night, he had first thought
of making a feint with one of his ships
in the direction of Portland, hoping 10
draw Admiral HigginsOn and the big
ships of his command in that direction,
but owing to heavy sea which was
running and the fact that his ships
were slow of speed and their bottoms
were foul, he decided not to do this,
and made his run direct for Salem har-
bor
The only ship of Admiral Higginson's
fleet he saw during the entire period
was the torpedo boat Barney, Lieut..
Dawson. which he sighted, early this
morning, just about the same hour
when he found he was discovered by
the sharp-eyed Staehle of the Higgin-
son Su,ladrOn