The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-13
DICKENS SQUADRON
 Is HELD IN CHECK
Discovered by the Forts in Nick
 of Time
BATTLESHIp TEXAS SUNK
In Mimic Warfare Vessels Run on Submerged Mine and Is Theoreti- cally Sent to the Bottom-ls
 Denoted by Ringing of Bell.

Baltimore, June 1s.--Admiral Diekins' squadron made a demonstration on the local fortifications early this morning, and up. to 1:S0 o'clock three torpedo boat destroyers were theoretically blown out of the water by the artillerymen sta toned at Fort Howard. Two ol these answered the descriptions of the Worden and Whpple, while the third was either the McDonough, Stewart or Lawrence.
 Later a fourth destroyer was discov- cred and sunk Then tho battleship Texas made a formal demonstration and from seven-foot knoll fired her big and little guns at Fort Howard. While the Texas was making this demonstration 8 swift cruiser made a flank movement and went up the bay toward Poole's island. It was discovered in the nick of time by the men at Fort Howard, who fired on the ship. The fire was returned. and after a lively skirmish the gunners at the fort theoretically sent both the Texas and the cruiser to the bottom.
 In an extra edition the American gives the following account of the attack on Fort Howard
 Did Unexpected Thing.
 Admiral Dickins did the unexpected thing shortly by making an early morn- ing attack on Fort Howard and the other local Notifications and three torpedo boat destroyers were theoretically blown out of the water by the artillerymen sta ton at Fort Howard Two of these an-
 
 and Whipple, while the third was either the McDonoueh steuart or Lawrence
 Promptly at midnight scout boats were sent out from the local fortifca- tions. At 12:50 o'clock these boats were signaled by the artillerymen at Fort How ard that the enemy were approaching, and all the men at the fort were imme- diately called to the guns. Almost simultaneously the men were warned of the approach of the boats by the signals at Sandy Point.
 "The searchlights at Fort Howard showed the Smalwood, Armistead and Carroll were headed down the river, and soon a destroyer representing the Worden was detected steaming up the river at full speed. Five minutes after receiving the first signals the men at Fort Howard opened fire on the approaching destroyer NlIn fHplu-1fe ana SnOTl-TanSe guns. While the Worden was theoretically blown up, she proceeded past Fort How ard and on mp the river The other forts immediately got their guns into action and all took turns In shooting at the approaching enemy
 ;. Destroyer Was Discovered.
 "About fifteen minutes after the ap- proach of the first 'enemy's' fleet another destroyer, evidently the Whipple. was discovered. This vessel suffered the same fate as the first The third destroyer made it's appearance, and like the other two, was sunk
 "The first boats endeavored to sneak by the forts without making any demonstra- tion, but the one in the lead was soon put out of commission by striking mine This was signified by the ringing of bell in Fort Howard.
 'The third boat put out of the business opened fire on all the forts and the fight was most interesting and exciting one. Broadsides were fired by the third de- stroyer as 1t reached a point between forts Armstead and Carroll. No lights and the fire from the guns made an inn posing sight
 Ut is believed the destroyers were sent ahead of other fleets to get the range of the forts. draw a fire. and ascertain whether the men were at their guns.
 Later 1Ourtn destroyer was dlScOV- cred and sunk Then the battleship Texas made a frontal demonstration, and from seven-foot knoll, fired her big and little guns at Fort Howard. While the Texas was making this demonstration swift cruiser made flank movement and went up the bay toward Pooles island. It was discovered in the nick of time by the men at Fort Howard, who fired on the ship. The fire was returned and after a clr fbp pt1t, at tha fnt theoretically sent both the Texas and the cruiser to the bottom.
 After the battle the cruiser sent up a rocket and then ran up a red and white flag and directed her searchlights towards the forts.