The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1902-09-05
SIGNAL STATIONS
Captured by Navy In Attack
Upon the Coast
DASH TO THE WESTWARD

AFTER having SecVoN "drtHhs
Vineyard and Block Island as Bases
of observation-disclosures on RoTts Are
Repulsed by Artillerymen
Newport, r. l., Sept. Admiral Hig-
ginson did not long delay after the
declaration of hostilities yesterday to
cut out work for the jackies and
marines of his fleet, accomplishing i'll
daylight, but under cover, two things
that General MacArthur's army had
anticipated. These things were the
seizure of Martha's Vineyard and
Block island and the capture of the
army's signal station on each. Last
night he followed up his good work by
q demonstration in force against the
extreme western end of the line Of de-
Tending Notifications, but it cannot be
determined until later if he actually at
tempted to force his way into Long
Island sound or simply aimed to give
his crews little big gun practice, and
his captains the opportunity to maneu-
yer within striking distance to deter
mine the location and calibre of the
ordinance in the forts.
The two movements of the fleet yes
terday form chapters in themselves. In
theory only was Admiral Higginson's
capture of the islands an easy task,
but nevertheless he got them and it is
to his credit. The capture Of the isl
ands having been expected, it was
forestalled by the army in providing
secret signal stations. But under
shelter of Block island and off the en-
trance to New Haven harbor the fleet
swung at anchor in the fog nearly all
day. The converted yachts took on
coal from the collier Lebanon and the
marines on shore went into camp
apparently for long stay. Towards
evening the small vessels of the feet
went into the harbor while the big
craft moved in closer together. All
this was a bluff on Admiral Higgin-
sons part, in view of the lively time
later. On board ship it was a condi-
ton of war, decks cleared for action
and guns in such shape that their
crews would be able to respond in
stantly to the order Cast loose and pro- |
vide"
At just 1920 last night the big guns
of Forts Wright, Terry and Niche
belched forth almost simultaneously
and there was no longer doubt that the
first attack in the war game was in
effect For an hour the cannonadlng
continued.
When the booming of the big guns
signalled the beginning of the attack,
for the moment all communication with
the forts by telegraph and telephone
was cut off. the artillerymen being en-
gagged with the. enemy, and all the wires
at the forts were being utilized in the
firing of the guns. Far out in the Race
the ships commanded by Admiral Hig-
ginson were sighted and just as soon
as they came within firing distance
the fort guns opened on them. There
was quick response from the enemy.
first 40 minutes the firing was con-
the aim of the soldiers being
aided by the searchlights, which worked
to the fullest satisfaction. The ships
lights were out and evidently the ad-
miral hoped he could get nearer the
forts, within the safety line, before he
was discovered, but in this he was
foiled so the army officers claim, and
his ships, including the Massachusetts
and Indiana, were put out of action.
He kept the army men guessing as to
what he would do next, and he maneu-
hn tn |
and hurried to the westward, out of the
firing zone. Just exactly where the !
fleet went was not known definitely at I
headquarters. 1t was expected that
there would be a second attack before
the night passed, but General Mac
Arthur said the enemy would find a
hot reception awaiting it's advent,
warmer indeed than the one that had
already been rendered,
New London, Conn, Sept 3.-The de-
Tending forces in the New London dis
trict are on the alert and awaiting an /,
attack by the navy. At midnight last {
night no decisive move had been made /,
BY the fleet under Admiral Higginson.
At that hour General Macarthur left
his headquarters and boarded his
yacht, Kanawha, for the night leav-
ing Major Harrison in charge !
At 2 O'Clock this morning Major ]
Rogers announced that Everything 7
vas quiet all along the line" but that {
lie expected to hear that the big guns j
we're booming to the eastward before s
laybreak. !