The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-09-17
The RIiMIc WAR PLANS
LAID Forces at Portland Ready
TO Resist Fleets Attack.
TWO ELECTRIC PLANTS BUILT.

Barker Will Creep In Under c. err
of Fog.
eve are ready and waiting" said
Brigadier General George L. Gillespie,
chief of engineers, who has recently
returned from al inspection of the de-
lenses Of Portland, Me-, which will be
the point of attack of the hostile force
under Rear Admiral Albert S. Barker
In the combined army and navy ma
neuvers, beginning Aug. %, says the
Washington correspondent of the New
York Herald.
General Gillespie spent several days
In the vicinity Of Portland and at head
quarters, inspecting every detail Of the
defense.
II found the men working enthusiast
tically," continued the general, land
everything in fine shape. Last year we
were working right up to the time the
maneuvers opened; but, getting an ear
lier start this time, we find ourselves
ready and waiting for the enemy. Two
power houses have been constructed at
Portland for the generating Of all the
electric power needed in the various
electrical devices used in the forts that
defend Portland. This has put US to
some expense, but it will prove Of per-
manent benefit to the army post there.
Every gun in Forts Mckinley, Preble,
Levett and Williams has been put In
excellent condition and inspected by
the ordnance officers. The board of
submarine defense has come all the
way from its headquarters at Willets
Point, N. Y, to superintend person
ally the installation of the submarine
defenses."
Entirely to the board Of submarine
defense has been left the mining Of the
three channels leading to Portland.
Even to Brigadier General Wallace
Randolph, chief Of artillery, the board
has not disclosed the number or loca-
ton of the mines to be placed In the
channels, and on both these points the
greatest possible secrecy Is being OBJ
served that the enemy may not be
able TO avoid the mines in tie ap-
proaches should he successfully elude
the guns Of the outlying forts and get
close into the harbor. 1t is known,
however, that several important Inn
provements have been made since last
year In the connection Of the mines
with the proper stations on shore. In
the concealment Of their location also
the authorities have been more success
full.
Important will be the work OF the
search light in the defense Of Portland
General Gillespie has ordered installed
In the vicinity OF the city twelve enor-
nous lights, with the aid of which
the watchers on shore can easily pick
up vessel away out at sea. Last
year the search lights were not alto
gether a success, and the result Of
their employment in the defense prof.
ect this year will be watched in engi-
neering circles with keen interest. The
trouble with the search lights last year,
according to naval officers, was that
they were not properly managed. Elk
treme precautions will be taken in the
coming maneuvers to prevent the cross
Ing of the various search lights and the
destruction Of their useful
ness.
Two kinds Of lights will be in use,
the searching and Illuminating lights.
The former are considerably more pow
erful than the latter. The searching
lights have been constructed well In
side the line of defense and so dis
tributed as to cover every avenue Of
approach to Portland and give the
proper authorities there as soon as pcs
sible the news Of Rear Admiral Bar
ker's fleet.
During the day it is ordered that all
search lights shall effectively be hid
den from view, but that they shall be
located as near the shore line as pos
sible. The Illuminating lights shall be
hidden while the searching lights are
n operation. Special effort will be
made to avoid the crossing Of the
beams Of light from the search lights
which results in the creation of a dark
angle. When this beam comes between
LIZ Sun oo0 AS tdASCt Tic ldltcE IL
hidden.
The Illuminating lights installed will
be used to light up the advanced or
distant flank positions and in illuminate
ng the mine fields. On the inner line
If defense will be placed reserve lights
which may come in well in the event
If interruption Of communication with
he more advanced searching lights
IN installing the searching lights IN
effort will be made to give them high
position and one near the shore line.
What army officers on duty in the de
tense district dread. however is foe
Or thick mist at night. when Rear Al
niral Barker would have an excellent
opportunity to make q dash for Port
and The signal corps will have st;
ions in the vicinity of Portland and
elsewhere along the New England
coast. where sharp lookout will b.
Kept for a sight of the enemy. CO
operating with the signal corrs viii tt
he weather bureau and the lghthm,fs
service. and observers at ,ha varis,&
stations on the New EnrlaDd Coz 4
we'll as the ghthorse keepers. win
~ SIR ,1o4ad IN xx..tf.h ~