Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-09-03
+. WRIGHT BONBARDED.
Third Attack Made by the En-.
emy on the New Eng.
land Coast.
Kearsarge, Massachusetts and
Indiana Form Attacking
Squadron.
Fort Returns Shot for Shot
with an Unceasine
Activity.

NeF London. Sept. 3.-Early this
morning the naval enemy made a third
attack on the forts of the New London
district. 1t is said to have been the
most effective as we'll as spectacular
move that has taken place since the
lnaneuvers began. Firing began at 1850
and continued almost ircessantly for
two hours. being directed at Fort
Wright, Fishers island. The attacking
squadron was composed of the battle
ships Kearsarge, Alabama, Massachus-
etts hnd Indiana.
The result of the mornings conflict
will not be known until after the UNI
pire's report. 1t was a most magnlfl-
cent attack and an able defense, from a
stratcgist's standpoint.
The sun was we'll up when four ships
were seen coming from the direction of
Gardeners bay. where they were at an
chor last night. Just as soon as the
fissfship was within range distance she
was, fired upon from Fort Michle, but
no attention was paid to this warning,
for the ships came right alons, headlhs
in the direction of Fort Wright. 1T
seemingly being the purpose to capture
that strongly fortified place, believed TO
be capable, with the aid Of forts Michle
Iand, Terry, of coping with the strongest
fleet aiioat. The ships kept pretty we'll
Il out I'm passing Race Rock light. but
made no attempt to enter into an en-
gagement with either Niche or Terry.
very few guns being fired from these
forts during the two hours OF lighting.
II was a determined attack on Fort
Wright and firing from guns and NOR
tars of the fort was kept up incessantiy
as the four ships formed in line OF bat
tie and sailed slowly by the fort, ex-
changing shot for shot. AS far as pos
siblei before attacking the fort the ships
made a detour and then swung we'll IN
towards Fishers island and commenced
the bombardment, after two ships each
had taken position at the front and
rear Of Fort Wright.
Col. Davis commanding the district
was at the signal station. The firing
w.ts Kept ,lp fo1- about half an hour,
when the ships sailed we'll out towards
the race again. The defenders belfev-l
ing the ships were to retreat in the di-
rection whence they came. Suddenly
the ships turned and again made a Wig
orous attack on Fort Wright. this time
attempting to make Landing. one oi
the big ships drew in pretty close to
the fort and with rapid fire covered
the landing party. but IN opposltion 10
this movement the gattling guns at the
fort were brought into requlsltlon ana
the landing party evidently repelledt or
rather that particular phase OF this at
tack was not considered successful.
AT the conclusion of this second at
tack, the ships steamed out into the
race and back in the direction Of Block
Island.
Both of the passages to and from
Fort Wright, the ships made attacks on
Fort Mansfield at Napatre Point and
Itt is quite likely Mansfield will be con-
sidered as having been reduced by the
enemy and, perhaps the enemy VIII
claim Fort Wright, for the ships GER
tainly did put up the fiercest kind OF a
naval attack. They were handled skill
fully and their fire was very eftectlve.
Still the army officers claim Fort
Wright was competent to cope with
four battle ships, even without assist
ance from Fort Niche and Terry. The
latter forts did not take a very active
part in the maneuvers this morning.
perhaps not over twenty shots being
fired from both of these forts at the
battle ships engaging with Fort Wright.
Fleet Near New Bedford.
Cuttihunk, via Pasque Island. Sept. 8.
"A fleet of eight warships was sighted
this morning moving from the west
ward toward New Bedford. Among
them were the Olympia, Gloucester,
Brooklyn, cruiser not identified, the
N1ayilower and the tugs Leyden and
Nina. The fleet was west of Cuttihung
lat 8 o'clock and the Puritan had joined
| the. other vessels.
The fleet worked itself up towards
Buzzards Bay and when off the eastern
approach to New Bedford opened fire.
This was about Sis. The guns from
the Notifications res ponded promptly.
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