Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-06-29
FORTRESS MONROE
clyde T.. Beebe writes an Interesting
Letter From That Historic Place.


Fortress Monroe, Va, June S, 'o5
Editor Banner:-It has never before
been my privilege to witness such a
grand sight as the terrific engagement
which took place tonight, brief account
Of which | send you for publication, as
think your readers will be interested in
reading the same from a Bedding boy
who was there.
Not since the Merrimac and Monitor
fought their famous duel, has Hampton
Roads witnessed an engagement on such
a scale as took place tonight. Sixteen
warships, the combined strength of Ad-
miral Dickens fleet with the torpedo flo
lila, steamed in single column past the
forts, firing every available gun as they
raced past in vain attempt to reach the
unprotected mouth of James river. Bat
terry after battery answered the nayy's
fire and the loud resounding report Of the
great l2.inoh guns joined the mighty
boom of the mortars, and the sharp rat
tie Of the rapid fire artillery. So dense
was the smoke that overhung land and
water that the rays of the searchlights
we're unable to pierce it, and the beams
of white light changed into dull and
smoky red haze. Not only we're the
lights of Wllloughby, Fort Wool and For
tcess Monroe in use, but every ship direc-
ted her searchlights upon the shore bat
teries in an attempt to blind the gunners.
The problem ended as a complete VIC
tory for the army, every ship of Admiral
Dickens fleet having been demolished
and sent to the bottom. After the run
past the forts the Texas sent up rocket
sgnifying that the problem was over
and followed by the fleet, steamed out
towards the capes.
1t was at 8 clock that the preliminary
engagement began, two torpedo boats
having run in to reconnotre. As they
came in sight battery Of tweve-inch
guns opened fire and drove the scouts
beyond range. The real attack was not
made until o'clock when Admiral
Dickens gave a grand spectacular per-
Torrance, running with his entire fleet
the gauntlet Of The forts guns.
The night was dark and the ships we're
only observable when lit up by the fire
from their ownguns. AS the engagement
progressed the smoke Of the battle grew
thick that it could almost be cut with
knife. Searchghts could not be worked
to any advantage and the position of the
ships could only be determined by means
of the great flames Of fire that vomited
from the batteries. Thousands of people
lined the shores crowded the parapet Of
the fort, and stood upon the housetops Of
the government reservation to witness
the greatest display Of fire works this
part Of the country has ever seen.
Every ship in the fleet took part begin
ming with the small torpedo boats and
ending with the flagship. Tonight, theor-
etically, all Of them are sunk, and Colonel
Potts has again proved the almost abso-
Lutte strength Of his position.
Admiral Dickens fleet tonight consisted
Of the battlesbip Texas, flagship Arkan-
sas, Florida, Neyad, Tennessee and Puri-
tan, Monitors; Newark, Hartford and At
anta, cruisers; Whpple, Hull, Hopkins
and Lawrence, torpedo boats; Hornet
Siren and Sylvia, converted yachts.
Tomorrow night will end the Joint ex-
,rcises' and Saturday morning the fleet
anchor off Old Point