The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-26
LOOkOufS Unable TO Dis.
cover the Approach of
Ships, Although Seve-
raj Lights Are Turned
Full Upon Them.
Torpedo Boat Circles ISL
andS and Anchors in
the HarbOr Unnoficed.
Sailors Cat Wires and
Land Parties.

PORTLAND, Ne. Aug. 26.-The battle
ship division OF Rear Admiral Barker.s
great naval squadron is anchored in
portland Harbor. 1t ran the main
channel between Cape Elizabeth and
Gushing Island as day was breaking.
AT O'Clock this morning the battle
ships Kearsarge. Illinois. and Alabama
ceased firing and dropped anchor, with
their guns covering the heart of the
city. At the same time Admiral. Cogh-
Ian, on the Olympia. In charge of the
cruiser division, and Rear Admiral
Wise, in charge Of the scouting division,
are establishing a base.
Whipped to StandstilI.
The army has been whipped to
standstin- Active hostilities began at
midnight, az which time three torpedo
boats were sent into the harbor To
reconnoiter from the feet. which had
been lying fifteen miles OF at Sequia
Lighthouse since Monday night.
At o'clock, after firing had been
heard in the harbor, the Scorpion passed
the flagship and announced that it had
successfully dragged the channel of all
torpedoes. This was accomplished by a
whaleboat. She then steamed half way
into the harbor before being discovered,
and retreated in good form.
The Fleet Discovered.
The Kearsarge Immediately increased
speed the other two battleships follow
ing close At 4:30 O'Clock, as day was
breaking, when but little over a mile
from Fort Prebie. the feet was discov-
cred
The guns from the ships opened fire
simultaneously with those from the fort
For thirty minutes the firing continued
from the ships and forts, the latter be-
ing slow to open up. The ships. having
successfully forced the passage. are now
awaiting high tide 70 steam out Of the
harbor to the base that is being estab-
lished by the lighter ships.
The Army Helpless.
The army appeared helpless When the
ships arrived 1t was discovered that
three torpedo-boat destroyers had cir
cled the islands and run the channels.
One was seen and counted out by the
forts. but the other anchored in the
harbor safely and unnotieed.
The plan OF battle was a general en-
gagement. Rear Admiral Wise. with
his vessels, operated in the neIghbor-
hood OF Broad Sound, destroying the
signal stations of orr's Island. Haskeus
Islands. and others. cutting wires and
landing parties. Admiral Coghlin oper-
ated from Luckeys and Husseys Sounds.
engaging the enemy. knocking down
cutting cables, countermIn-
ing and attacking Diamond and Cow
Islands.
Channel Countermined.
The battleship division eountermiued
he main channel and Whitehead Chan
lel. and then ran IT. Rear Admiral
Sands engaged the westward of the
main ship canal as far south as Rich
nond Island. destroying searchlights,
power houses. and engaging Fort Will
Iiams.
The ships were cleared for action on
Tuesday afternoon and at dusk one bat
lie lantern was lighted.
Searchlights a Failure.
The ships steamed for two miles in a
glare without being diseov-
red. At times three searchlights would
'e concentrated on a ship. Then they
would be withdraw. darting back md
orth. seeking thai which was near. but
hat which they could not see.
The eight lights were useless. Day
light disclosed the enemy about mile
WA.