The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-27
WAR DOCS PLAY
 WATCHING CAME Admiral Barker's Fleet Anchored
 Off Goose Island
ROTH SIDES ON QUI WYE
Fleet Makes an Attack on the Forts and Officials Have Differences of
 Opinion ar CIaIms-Another Attack May Be Made.

Portland, Me, August 26.-At 10 o'clock tonight the war maneuvers had again developed into watching game for the defending forces just before the mimic war was declared At o'clock tonight the greater part of Admiral Barker's fleet was anchored off Goose, island, about ten miles from the eastermost of the protecting fortifications.
 demonstration claimed by the army to be day attack and by the navy night attack was made by the fleet early in the morning. the attack was reputed theoretically with a loss of several ves- ses of the fleet. The preliminary attack directly after midnight was made by landing parties, the latter attack which ended at a. m was made by two sections of the fleet which attempted to force simultaneously the passages leading into the harbor.
 No Open Possibilities.
 During the early part of the evening there had been no open hostilities but firing was heard shortly after 10 o'clock. At o'clock the situation in the war game was practically the same as at noon. The attacking fleet with the exception of one converted cruiser, was lying atanchor off Long Island The cruiser left the fleet at about 2:45 o'clock and steamed up the harbor a short distance. possibly looking for cables attached to mines. She fired several rounds and was an- swered by Fort Mckinley. She anchored off Little Johns island
 Passengers on the Harpswell steamer that arrived here about three o'clock stated that several of the fleet were ob- served about noon off Whale Boat island In upward Harpswell bay, evidently try ing the land parties
 Hartford Comes Into Harbor.
 As the last of the modern ships of war syssrs sGssing the forts this morning. the historic Hartford came into the harbor and cleared for action. Colonel Mills or dered his batteries to withhold their fire in honor of the record of the grand old ship and she continued on her course unmolested.
 It was expected Fort Mckinley would bear the brunt of attack tonight, and it Is supposed the enemy desires to force that entrance of the harbor if possible. Forts Levette and Preble will support the defense though 1t Is considered like ly there will be diversion off the shores of Cushings island to Graw the fire of FOrt leVette away 1rOm tHe iudih at tackng squadron.
 Two gunboats off 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 Fort Levette, shortly after 10:15' and at tempted to countermne the harbor. They were fired on by Fort Preble.
 
 Difference of Opinion.
 There has arisen tonight a 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 to Portland harbor and in view 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 game, the fleet is allowed to make one day and one night attack. The question is, was the attack made before or after daybreak
 The army officers say that no regular attack was made by the ships themselves until after daybreak. It was understood tonight the navy officials claimeds they made a night attack In addition to the landing parties and that there was no response to their attack.
 At Fort Preble 1t is claimed that all three of the big warships which entered the harbor had been technically destroyed 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. 125 shells by the con- verted guns at Fort Preble and 35 shots by six-inch guns.
 The enemy's fleet made the second demonstration 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 dur ing the engagement. An attempt at land ing was defeated. The attack concluded at 11:15, the vessels withdrawing to Half Way rock. where at o'clock eight had gathered. All lights were shown on the ships after the demonstration.