Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-26

one section was at anchor off Seguin
island at the mouth of the Kennebec
river, about 80 miles from here; the
other had not been located.
The first news of the fleet was
brought by passengers on board the
steamer State of Maine, of the Eastern
Steamship Cos. International division.
This steamer, at $50 o'clock this morn
ing, passed, just off Seguin island, a
fleet of eight warships. This report
was confirmed by similar one from
the Portland observatory. The battle
ship Kearsarge, the flagship of Rear
Admiral Barker, could be made out
as well as the Alabama. There was
one other battleship, the name of which
could not be discerned. Three torpedo
boats and destroyers could be made
out and two converted yachts of the
Gloucester type. This fleet comprises
the principal battleships, and much of
the strength of the attacking squadron.
The general opinion among those
who should know was that the squad
ron had been divided into two sec
lions, and that while one fleet was now
at anchor off Seguin, the other section
had gone to the westward, with the
intention of landing troops somewhere
along the coast, and coming up behind
the city.
THE flagship Kearsarge with eight
vessels of Admiral Barker's fleet has
come to anchor off Seguin," was the
message flashed to the district head
quarters on CushinS's Island, early to-
day. Col. Mills issued the following
order:
Information that a hostile fleet was
on it's way to attack Portland has been
confirmed and it is now known that
the Red fleet is destined for Portland
harbor. Post commanders, with all
possible dispatch, will complete prep
arations for resisting the attack which
undoubtedly will be made at II O'Clock
tonight
b-districts and post commanders
will exercise closest supervision of
their commands after that hour and
require all to be on the alert"
The orders issued by Col. Mills were
sent to the commander of each post
on the cape and the islands. The
news that the attack was expected to
occur at midnight frightened the spir-
it's of the men, who had had their
ardor dampened by the rain of the
morning. The final preparations were
interfered with to some extent, but all
except a few minor details had been
completed before this time. The last
few mines which will block the en-
trance to Hussey's sound We're laid,
I'M, island
Diamond island This passage has been
thoroughly covered
Towards noon, the rain and a thick
haze which settled over the water made
it difficult to see any distance from
the land. The weather is so bad, to-
night, that the hostile fleet may get
within striking distance before discov-
cred. Little can be seen by the aid
of searchlights in thick weather and
this fact is putting everyone on the
alert
Col. Mills expects the attack i'm
medately after midnight and he has
made all preparations to resist. The
entire coast line will be patrolled and
while it will be possible for the ships
to get in close to the land under cover
of the fog, the many dangerous rocks
and lodges will effectually keep Ad-
miral Barker from attempting to land
any force.
The new wireless station on Little
johns island is now in working order
and the first messages We're received
and sent by it. Monday night This
station is we'll inside the bay and
protected from capture by a hostile
fleet. The army can lose its outer
stations and still be able to receive
and send messages by its inner sta
tions.
Mayor Boothby, today, had an inter-
view with Col. S. NJ. Mills, the object
of which was to arrange for an i'm
mediate notification when an attack is
expected. If this arrangement ma
lures, Col Mills will at once COM
muncate by telephone with the city
electrician, who will sound a signal
on the fire alarm. This will be a no.
LITIGATION to everybody in Portland that
the hostile warships are drawing near.
Portland, Me-, Aug. 25.-With the
blare of trumpets from a score of en-