Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-09-15
Seeing the Fleet.

Although staying at Lookout Point, |
IHarpswell Centre, during the recent war
game, we were not able to be in Portland
or at any of the islands around which
the proposed war maneuvers centefed,
and did not expect to have the privilege
of seeing any part of the fleet, or OF VIII
Messing any of the movements OF the
army or navy. But what we ala not
expect to see, came to us.
As we stepped out of the door OF our
cottage, near Lookout Point, on the
morning of the Goth, after the heavy
cannonading of the night before, in the
direction of Portland, we looked down
the bay, and behold, several OF the bat.
tleships were in sight, anchored about
three miles from us, in position where
Whaleboat and Great Chebeague Islands
hid them from the view of the forces IN
the Notifications erected to protect
Portland.
After breakfast, taking our row boat,
with our daughter, Mrs. Burbank, and
her cousin, Miss Fannie Perley, we soon
Icovered the distance between us and the
battleships and found eighteen vessels OF
the fleet, and more were coming in from
outside. This part of CascO Bay was
unguarded and unprotected, yet here was
ldepth of water and anchorage for the
largest battleships of any navy in the
world.
i. On the shore near by we met the cap
tains and two companies of soldiers who
had been sent ashore to capture Harps-
, we'll Neck, cut the telegraph and tele-
, phone wires, and take any stray body OF
troops found guarding this important
landing place, but no troops were
found. One of the captains informed
! us he had "smashed the telephone at
, West Harpswell' (fguratively.) lie
Z added that no word could be sent round
to Portland of the presence of the fleet
r here.
The fleet had secured good anchorage
inside of Casco Bay where they could
I attack Portland in the rear, make this
a the rendezvous of the whole fleet, tho
+ base of operations. Here they would
/ rest daytimes and 60 out at night to as
9 sault the forts.
o While part of the fleet had made an
e attack on the forts near the southern
v and main entrance to Portland harbor
q the night before, this part of the fleet
e had run in by Potts Point, during the
4 early morning when the fog hid them
K from view of any one on shore.
d If it had been real enemy they could
n not have accomplished more successful
h move. Here they had safe, well shel.
# tered anchorage. Whaleboat Island and
q Great Chebeague hid them from sight
h from Portland, the forts and the lower
/, part of Casco Bav, while the same two
70 islands would protect them from any
|. shot that any of the forts around Port
land could fire. This would be one great
|, point gained by an enemy's fleet, wheth
'. err it counted in this game or not.
Re We returned to our cottage for dinner
If then with our team took our whole party
down Harpswell Neck about four miles
II to place known as Basin Point, opposite
NJ and within hundred yards of the fleet
II. Here we had fine view of all the YES
7 sells at close range, and here we remain
,e ed till quite late in the evening, whel
:" most of the vessels had gone out will
ne the torpedo boats for night attack.
NJ The maneuvers of the afternoon, tn
of signalling from one ship to another, tn
TO drill in landing troops, all made it
scene never to be forgotten.
There were twenty-four vessels in thi
part of the fleet, including battleships
40 cruisers, supply ships, and torpedo boa
~ destrOyers.
Nearest to us was the battleship keai
u sarge, then the Illinois, Alabama, Texas
u Chicago, and farther away the Olympus
y. Baltimore, Peoria, Newport, Essex, Var
ae kee, Prairie, and the Hartford, Admira
n Farragut's old flagship, like the Olympi
*. an historic ship of which the nation wi
= is ever feel proud, VIII Sc present and fu
i.' ture commanders may well feel hOnore
IL i, to be assigned to such command. Be
~ side the vessels mentioned were fiv
Y, torpedo boat destroyers, the Truxtor
Ell Worden, Lawrence, Whipple and Stew
art. The names of the others maxim
~, up the twenty-four we did not learn.
eu Our fleet is the strong arm OF on
police force on the ocean, necessary
he protect American citizens and America
rights and interests throughout tn
"; world. This war drill may be wort
no millions of dollars to our state and natiO
re in the future, by showing where tn
l.. weak places are in our defences alon
the coast of Maine. 1t may lead to
us better fortification of the entrance
N; some of our harbors and rivers. In cas-
lu of war with any foreign. power tn
1g coast of Maine will be one of the mos
X important places for an enemy to strike
We hope no such time will ever come
but it is a safe motto to follow, ''ln tim
of peace prepare for war;" for when W
as are unprepared then the blow will b
ng struck quickly and decisively.