Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-13
During Theoretical Attack
on Fort Howard, Nd.
Arti||erymen Prove Too Much
for Gunners Of Navy.
Unexpected Happened During the "War
Game,' Near Baltimore.

Baltimore, Md, June FIN an eX-
ira edition the American gives the fol-
lowing account Of the attack on Fort
Howard:
Admiral Dickins did the unexpected
thing by making an early morning at
tack on Fort Howard and the other
local Notifications and three torpedo
boat destrOyers were theoretically
blown out of the water by the artillery
men stationed at Fort Howard. Two Of
these answered the descriptions of the
WOrden and Whipple, while the third
was either the McDonough, Stewart Of
Lawrence.
Promptly at midnight scout boats
were sent out from the local fOrtifica-
tons. At 1880 o'clock these boats sig
nailed the artir1erymen at Fort Howard
that the enemy" were approaching
and all the men at the fort were i'm
mediately called to the guns.
Almost simultaneously the men were
warned of the approach Of the boats
by signals at Sandy Point. The search
lights at Forts Howard, Smallwood,
Armistead and Carroll were headed
down the river and very soon a de-
stroyer resembling the Worden was de-
tected steaming up the river at full
speed. Five minutes after receiving the
first signals The men at Fort Howard
opened fire on the approaching destroy
er with rapid fire and short range guns.
While the WOrden was theoretically
blown up she proceeded past Fort
Howard and on up the river. The other
forts Immediately got their guns into
action and all took turns in shooting
at the enemy
About Is minutes after the approach
of the first of the ''enemy's" fleet, an
other destroyer, evidently the Whipple
was discovered. This vessel suffered
the same fate as the first. A third de-
stroyer soon made it's appearance and
like the other two was sunk"
The first two boats endeavored to
sneak by the forts without making any
demonstration but the one in the lead
was soon put out Of commission by
striking a mine. This was signified by
the ringing of a bell in Fort Howard.
The third boat, though put out OF
business, opened fire on all four Of the
forts and the sight was a most excit-
ing one Broadsides were fired by the
third destroyer when it reached a point
between Forts Armistea1 and Carroll.
No lights were used on any of the
boats and the fire from the guns made
an imposing sight.
1t is believed that the destrOyers were
sent on ahead of the rest of the fleet
to get the range of the forts, draw the
fire and ascertain whether the men
wre at their guns.
Later a fourth destroyer was discov-
cred and sunk" Then the battleship
Texas made a frontal demonstration
and from Seven Foot Knoll. fired her
hig and little guns at Fort Howard.
While the Texas was making this de-
monstration a swift cruiser made 4
flank movement and went up the bay
toward PoOle's Island. 1t was discov-
cred in the nick of time by the men
at Fort Howard who fired on the ship.
The fire was returned and after live
" skirmish the gunners at the fort
theoretically sent both the Texas and
the cruiser to the bottom.
After the battle the cruiser sent up
a rocket and then ran up red and
white light and directed her search
lights towards the forts.