Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-27
Made Upon Portland by the
Enemy's Warships.
They Attempt to Countermine Harbor
1.-Two Forced to Surrender.
First Attack Mere Skirmish Com
pared With Second.

against the harbor two hours before
midnight, the evident purpose of which
was to countermine the harbor. Two
vessels, one of which was a torpedo
boat destroyer, surrendered during the
engagement. An attempt at LANDING
was defeated. The attack concluded
at 11.15, the vessels Withdrawing tc
Half Way rock, where at l O'Clock
eight had gathered. All lights were
shown on the ships after the demon
stration. One or two searchlights were
seen some distance out, evidently sig
Mailing to the fleet.
The Fort Levett batteries opened fire
on two cruisers opposite the Two
Lights and about a mile from the fort,
With the search lights, covering the
vessels during the firing. 1t was
thought an attempt would be made at
q landing. A big ship was reported
opposite Fort Levett, pouring broad
side after broadside into the fort. The
Levctt batteries replied and four shots
were fired from the Fort Preble NOR
tars. Fort Williams picked up a big
cruiser at II o'clock and opened fire on
| her, being answered in kind by the
| ship. -Four big ships at II o'clock could
| be discemed at Fort Mckinley and
Fort Levett. These ships could be seen
plainly and it was supposed there were
others following.
Yesterday mornings demonstration
was i mere skirmish compared to what
n 1oirincr ar cI,;,1
were lying outside of Peaks Island out
of range of Fort Williams.
At lilo, a large ship came into the
harbor showing the signal of surren-
der. The second vessel to surrender,
which proved to be Il destroyer, was
seen entering the harbor slowly at
Ills. She came to ancher off Preble.
Several small boats attempted
landing, when they were discovered a
general call to arms was sounded and
the entire garrison turned out, driving
the invaders back. III asas.s.sa a.
At 1915, the 12-inch rifle at Fort
Levett opened on the section of the
feet which steamed rapidly in from
seward in the direction of White Head
passage. 1t looked as if the vessels
Ntic SoIllSs ~ loICe all entrance 1lllO
the harbor that way and the search
lights in the various forts were promt-
ly turned on them. When nearing
White Head the vessels swung round
to starboard, making Il circle in the
direction Of Long island, and for Il
time We're exposed to the fire of the
great guns in both Mckinley and
Levett. While this movement was in
progress two battleships laying in a
direct line from Cushing's, over Ram
island, also opened fire. one of these
ships displayed Il searchlight and the
other as she approached the land was
hidden by It cloud of smoke which rose
many feet over her mast The flash
es of the guns were incessant and they
alone showed there was q ship hidden
in the smoke.
From Portland Head to the Two
Lights, all the searchlights We're train
ed on the entrance to the harbQr and
it soon became apparent what was the
real reason of the attack. Sinking I'M
der the smoke were the torpedo de-
stroyers of the fleet. They were readily
picked up by the searchlights on Fort
Williams as they reached Portland
Head and Immediately there broke out
the racket of the rapid fire guns. The
destroyers kept on and came to
standstill in the channel. 1t looked as
if the movement was an attack on the
mine fields While the destroyers We're
removing the mines their names We're
distinguished. Lying opposite Cape
Cottage was the Lawrence, farther up
the channel was the Truxton, while
the Whipple ran up to Fort SCANNED
and came to a standstill there. Be-
fore she reached the shelter of the old
fort, the rapid fire guns of Preble took
several shots at her. After lying some
time in the channel, the destroyer ran
back toward the sea.
A telephone message was received at
Fort Williams at 1 o'clock from the
Two Lights, out on the Cape, that the
signal men there had read two signals
from Half Way Rock, where the fleet
had gathered to another portion of the
fleet, reading as follows. ~
Send four ships. Landing at day
break"
Portland, Me-, Aug. 21.-Several ships
appeared in Ship channel at 2.10 A. NJ,
and Forts Lcvett and Williams are
both firing. a landing was attempted
at Simonton's Cove. Regulars from
Fort Preble We're called out and went
under double quick and detachment
Of troops passed down the cape shore.
Portland, Me, Aug. 27.-Fort Preble
was notified at o'clock that landing
party was anticipated at Simonton's
Cove. a detachment of infantry was
sent to the cove.>
AT 2.3G, heavy firing was heard from
the mortar battery at Fort Preble.
Portland, Me-, Aug. 27.-It is reported
fort LeVett supposed to be silenced.
NOW firing on Fort Mckinley.
Portland, Me-, Aug. 26.-There has
arisen, tonight, a difference of opin-
IONS and claims between the army and
Continued on page 81