The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-27
ATTACKS ON FORTS fOII ER vsss First BTusso.l War Game Won by Forts. DISPUTE AS TO ATTACK Fleet Now Anchored Ten Miles from Forts. Forts Levette, Prsble and Mckinley
 are Defending Portland from
 Attacks by Nsvy-oame Is Still On.
DISPUTE AS TO ATTACK

Portland. Me-, Aug. 2e.--At 10 o'clock tonight the war nanouvres had again de- veloped into watching game for the de- lending forces just before the mimic war was declared.
 At 2 o'clock tonight the greater part of Admiral Barkers fleet was anchored of Goose Island about ten miles from the easternmost of the protecting fortifica- tions.
 A demonstration claimed by the army to be q day attack and by the navy q night attack was made by the fleet early In the morning. the attack was repulsed theoretically with a loss of several yes, sells of the fleet.
 The preliminary attack directly after midnight was made by landing parties, the latter attack which ended at c q. m. which attempted to force simultaneously the passages leading into the harbor.
 During tise early part of the evening there had been no open hostiiitis but fir- ing was heard shortly after 10 o'clock.
 At o'clock this afternoon the situa- ton in the war game was practically the same as at noon. The attacking fleet. with the exception of one converted cruis- CT. was lying at anchor of Long Island. The cruiser left the feet al about 2:45 and steamed up the harbor short distance,
  mines. She fired several rounds and was answered by Fort Mckinley. She ai- cfored off Little Johns Island.
 Passengers on the Harpswell steamer that arrived here about o'clock stated that several of the fleet were observed about noon off whalehoat Island Tn up- ward Harpswell Bay, evidently trying to land parties.
 As the last of the modern ships of war Aa. A.-a At.a historic Hartford came into the harbor and cleared for action. Colonel Miils or- aered his batteries to withhold their fire ih honor of the record of the grand old ship and she continued on her course un- molested. t.ff7g. ss |. It was expected that Fort MctEiniss would bear the brunt of attack tonight and 1t is suppnsed the enemy desiresi C force that entrance of the harbor if pos sist the defense though 1t is likely there will be a diversion off the shore of Cush- ing Island to draw the fire of Fort Lev cite away from the main attacking squad ron.
 Two gunboats of Falmouth Foreside three miles from the harbor were fired on from Fort Mckinley while sending ashore landing parties.
 Three torpedo boat destroyers are re- ported to have passed Fort Williams and Levette shortly after 10:15 and attempted to countermine the harbor. They were fired on by Fort Preble.
 At Fort Preble 1t Is claimed that all three of the big warships which entered the harbor had been technically destroy. ed in the earlier action when they were | first discovered by use of searchlights. It was stated today that 140 rounds were fired by the mortars of the harbor forts during the attack. 126 shells by the con- | verted guns at Fort Preble and thirty five shots by six-inch guns.
 There has arisen tonight difference of opinion and claims by the army and navy officials as to the attack made by Admiral Barker's fleet this morning on the forts commanding the entrance tc Portland harbor and in y1ew of this there has been uncertainty as to whether an- other attack would be made tonight or not. According to the rules laid down for the conduct of the war games, the fleet Is allowed to make one day and one night attack. The question is. was the attack made before or after day break?
 The army officers say that no regular attack was made by the ships them selves until after daybreak. It was un. derstood tonight the navy officials claim ed they made a night attack Tn addition to the landing parties and that there waE no response to their attack.
 The enemy's fleet made the second dem onstration against the harbor two hours before midnight, the evident pur- pose of which was to countermine the harbor. Two vessels. one of which was torpedo boat destroyer. surrendered during the engagement. An attempt at landing was defeated. The attack con- cluded at il :15, the vessels withdrawing to half way rock where at 1 o'clock eight had gathered. All lights were shown on the ships after the demonstration.