The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-14
HOSTILE SHIPS "SUNK" AGAIN
DICKINSS SHIPS ARE BEATEN
IN ATTACKS on FIT. MONROE.
Scout Vessel Found the Texas Advancing
Last Night and Notified the Land
Defenses-Hotel Guests Enjoy Ma.
neuyers-W Washington Attack Next.

Last Night and Notified the Land
Defenses-Hotel Guests Enjoy Ma.
Observation-Disclosures Attack Next.
FORT MONROE. Va, June ls.-Admiral
Diokins moved on Fort Monroe for the
third time within twenty-four hours shortly
before 10 o'clock tonight. AS was the
case in the first attack early this morning,
the vessels engaged were the Admiral's
flagship, the Texas; the training ship Hart
ford and the converted yacht Hornet. All
three we're constructively sunk for the fifth
time since the present exercises COM
menced.
The credit OF discovering the approach
Of the enemy" tonight belongs to the
scout boat Reno in charge OF Capt. Lyon
Of the Artillery Corps. Admiral Dichns
lett his anchorage in the roadstead when
darkness set in and disappeared. In the
direction of the open sea. The Reno, with
Lieuts. Klbourne and Marshall Of the Ar
tillery Corps. in addition to Capt. Lyon
and THE Sun correspondent. left her dock
In the harbor behind Fort Monroe at sun
down and proceeded to point Ave miles
out in the channel, where the watch for the
feet was begun.
Most Of the time during the early part Of
the evening seven searchlights we're flash
Ing across the water from the forts, but
none Of them was successful In spotting
Admiral Dickins's vessels. The lookouts
on the Reno sighted what they believed to
Re the Texas at o:20. and having confirmed
their suspicious. sent up white signal
exactly at s:ss, thus informing the waiting
shore batteries Of the presence of the hostile
vessel
Immediately afterward the searchlights
picked up the Texas. and at s;4s O'Clock
the land forces opened fire. first from the
mortar batteries and then from the twelve
inch rifles. The first reply came from
the Texas, ati9:4s, and from that time until
1923 there was continual firing from both
sides, although the gurs at Fort Wool
and Willoughby Point took no part In the
engagement.
The Texas burned vast amount Of
ammunition and continued to approach
the forts and to fire until she reached
place in the roads between Fort Monroe
and Norfolk. The Hartford and the Hornet
reports from the Texas were 50 near the
hotel and other buildings at Old Point as to
Jar them considerably. much to the en-
joyment OF the crowds OF eIclrsionists
and others who had gathered to watch
the fun.
From the spectators standpoint the event
was a complete success and several OF the
problems involved in the exercises were
satisfactorily worked out from the technical
point OF view. Only one or two mines wero
struck by the Incoming vessels eel 7o,.. x..
about $4,000 yards from Fort Monroe, and
the land batteries waited until she got
within 10 900 yards before opening fire
The Reno scooted for her pier after set
ting of her signal. but her speed was not
hnr
to atoms had the conflict been real instead
Of theoretical Although engagements
were reported before the forts Of both the
Potomac and Maryland artillery districts
during the night. thus indicating that all
the vessels Of the fleet with the exception
OF the Texas. Hartford and Hornet. were in
the upper waters. a sharp lookout for the
torpedo boats or destroyers was instituted
after the conclusion Of the engagement with
the larger, units. While another attack
thought probable, the precaution for cir
cumventing it will not be relaxed.
FORT HUNT, Va. June l3.-An attack was
begun on the Notifications guarding the
city Of Washington by Admiral DECLINES Tss rs.
vessel of the hostile feet to be picked up
by the big 90 inch searchlight at Fort Hunt
was cruiser whose name could not be
made out. The firing was begun by the
side Of the Potomac Five rounds were
fred by this battery and then the rapid
fire guns here and the big 10 inch guns at
Fort Washington, across the rlver roared
out.
When the necessary number Of shots
had been fired to put ship Of her class out
OF action the forts ceased firing. It is be-
lieved here that general attack on the city
OF Washington will be- made tonight Re-
ports received by the commanding officer
ere announce that the cruisers Atlanta
and Newark and several other vessels are
coming up the Potomac.
THE shin was identified as either the
Siren r the Hornet She took advantage Of
thu lu, in the fire OF the forts to proceed
UP the river and when in the mine fields
t. pick up the dummy mines, all Of which
are oulv half submerged.
This action Immediately under the guns
and lights Of the forts met with a fusillade
from the rapid fire guns on shore, to which
for the frs: time the ship made reply and
for few minutes the duel ragged hotly.
Then she turned and foai ed gracefully
down stream like a white swan, and the
battle was over.