The news & observer., 1905-06-14
A NIGHT ATTACK
ON FORT HOWARD
Admiral Dickins Did the
Unexpected.
FOUR BOATS SUNK
Theoretically. the Texas and a Swift
Cruiser We're "Sent to the Bottom.
Fire From The Guns in the Night
Made an Imposing Spec
{orfo
lRv the Associated Press.)

Baltimore, Md, June 12.-In an ex-
ira edition. the American gives the
following account of today's early
morning attack on Fort Howard:
admiral Dickins did the unexpect-
ed thing by making an early morning
attack on Fort Howard and the other
local fortifications, and three torpedo
boat destroyers were theoretically
blown out of the water by the artil-
lerymen stationed at Fort Howard.
Two of these answered the descrip-
tions of the Worden and Whipple.
while the third was either the Nc
Donough, Stuart or Lawrence.
promptly at midnight scout boats
were sent out from the local fortifi-
cations. At 1880 o'clock these boats
signaHed the artillerymen at Fort
Howard that the enemy were ap-
preaching and all the men at the Fort
were Immediately called to the guns.
Almost simultaneously the men
were warned of the approach OF the
boats by the signals at Sandy Point.
The searchlghts at Forts Howard,
Smallwood, Armistead and Carroll
were headed down the river and very
soon destroyer resembling 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 with rapid
fire and short range guns. While the
Worden was theoretically blown up
she passed Fort Howard and on up
the river. The other forts Immediate
ly got their guns into action, and all
took turns in shooting at the ap-
proachiDg enemy.
About fifteen minutes after the ap
proach of the first of the enemy's
fleet another destroyer, evidently the
Whipple, was discovered This yes-
sci suffered the same fate as the first.
A third destroyer soon made its ap-
pearance and like the other two was
sunk.
"The first two boats endeavored to
sneak by the forts without making
any demonstration but the lead was
soon put out of commission by strik-
ing a mine. This was signified by the
ringing of bell I'm Fort Howard.
1.-THE third boat. though put out of
business. opened fire on all four of
the forts and the sight was a most
Interesting and exciting one. Broad
sides were fired by the third destroyer
when it reached a point between
Forts Armistead and Carroll. No
lights were used on any of the boats
and the fire from the guns made an
imposing sight.
'It 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 were at their guns.
Later, fourth destroyer was dis
covered and sunk Then the battle
ship Texas made a frontal demonstra-
tion, and from a seven foot knoll
fired her big and little guns at Fort
Howard. While the Texas was
making this demonstration a swift
cruiser made a flank movement and
went up the bay toward Poole's
Island. 1t 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
After the Intellectual attack on Fort
Howard the enemy. as the attacking
vessels are known, withdrew and
steamed down Chesapeake Bay to join
tie rest of Admiral Dickins squadron
off Sandy Point"