Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1902-08-21
Powerful White Squadron
Threatens the North At
lantic Coast.
BLUE SQUADRON ON DEFENSIVE.
PiIIsbury's Fleet Must Reach an I'm
fortified Point and Remain Six
Hours Without Discovery or &c De-
feated, by. tigeinscn's Squadron.

Rockport, Mass, Aug. 21.-The
unique war game in which the rival
fleets of Admiral Francis ]. Higgin-
son and Commander. John E. Pills
bury are pitted against each other
began at noon yesterday. The North
Atlantic coast is now threatened by a
theoretically powerful squadron OF
hostile ships, from the attack OF
which an equally able fleet will at
tempt to defend. This is the first
series OF manoeuvres in which the
chips will participate and 1t will be
Cpder the direction of the navy de-
follows the conclusion OF this first
contest will be the joint work OF the
army and navy departments. Ac-
cording to the situation yesterday,
Commander Pillsbury's fleet, which is
known as the white squadron. which
sailed from Provincetown on Monday.
and was at sea. Its whereabouts was
unknown to Admiral Higginson, whose
force is known as the blue squadron.
1t was understood that the latter
fleet, which made its appearance in
this harbor last Sunday, would, under
the rules of contest, remain here un
Ill after noon yesterday. At any
time after that hour Admiral Higgin-
son was free to sail in search OF the
enemy"
To Reach Unfortified Place.
It will be the object OF the white
squadron to effect a landing at some
unfortified place along the coast as
soon as possible after this fixed hour
and occupy the position without in
reference for at least six hours. 1t
is the duty Of the defending feet to
prevent the invaders from accomplish
ing their purpose. II Admiral Hig-
ginson' finds the hostile vessels be-
fore they can get within striking dis
lance the victory is with him. II
Pillsbury with his ships should elude
Higginson and land his force he must
occupy the place he has captured and
be free from discovery during the six
hour period agreed upon. II he is To-
Gated before this time expires It IL
scored as a defeat for him.
The first series OF manoeuvres Is
purely technical and there will be no
semblance OF an engagement between
the ships. No shots will be fired ex.
cept positively upon the discovery Of
the hostile feet at night. when the
firing would be entirely for signalling
purposes and to announce the discov-
cry of Pillsbury's squadron.
Admiral Higginson lost no time in
getting under way after the hour
agreed upon for the beginning Of the
contest had arrived. During the fore
noon the ships were getting up steam
and about IL O'Clock they began to
weigh anchor. and hall an hour later
ell except the flagship Kearsarge, had
started out
Kennebunkport. Ne. Aug. 21.-The
cruisers Brooklyn and Olympia. the
converted yacht Mayhower and the
torpedo boat Shoubrick arrived OF
Cane Porpoise just after o'clock yes
terjay afternoon. The larger vessels
remained well off shore. but the tor
redo boat rcn n ard anchored near
the Cope. remaining there about half
sr hour. Just before leaving ma
ile was put ashore and then the H.
tie vessel steamed out to where her
companions were lying and the four
proceeded to the eastward.
The Warships Were OF Portland.
Portland Me. Aug. 21.-Two large
warships and a torpedo Eere OF the
harbcr just before dark last night
The warships turned and proceeded
toward the southwark. while the tor
redo boat ran into the harbor. The
large vessels were well outside.
Provincetown, Mass, Aug. 2I.-The
torpedo boat Stockton. representing
tie white squadron, arrived here last
night The officers and two sailors
landed and oae officer went direct to
the Race Point station and another
to Highland Light. The officers Of the
Stockton were uncommunicative re-
garding their visit to the Cape. The
life savers on the ocean side reported
warship running down the coast, OF
highland TIGHT AZ Nuuk The vn1-a1