The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-26
COAST DEFENSE
PROGRAM FOR
R. |. SOLDIERS


partment has completed the program
OF coast defence exercises, more popu-
larly known the war game" which
II is proposed 10 carry out IN the artil-
lery district OF Narragansett I'm July,
with the assistance of the Rhode Island
state troops. Eight companies will be
stationed at Fort Adams and five compa-
nies at Fort Greble, the selections TO be
made by Col Walter Howe, command
ing. The program Is as follows:
Il. That the eRcampment OF the coast
artillery companies at Forts Adams and
Greble. begin Monday. July and end
Monday July Is.
III. That such Rhode Island state
troops as are TO participate reach their
respective posts on Sunday. July Z. and
remain until Sunday, July IA.
Ill That the following program OF
exercises covering the period July to
II inclusive be followed
PERIOD OF PREPARATION.
''The time for reveiie Monday. July
s, until retreat, Wednesday, July 10, shall
be devoted to instruction and prepara-
ton.
"All available men of the regular gar
rison and state troops to be formed into
reliefs for manning the defences and a
manning table compiled. Instructors from
the available commissioned officers OF
coast artillery will be designated to give
instruction daily during the period to
officers and men OF the state forces. in all
matters pertaining TO drill, care and use
OF sea-coast material, including submarine
defence; suitable number OF coast ar
tillery nonNcommissioned officers being
detailed to report to them as assistant
instructors
ION Monday and Tuesday nights, July
s and 9. there shall be night drill and all
availpble boats be used for running in
and out OF the harbor by the two forts
for hte purpose OF testing the efficiency
OF the searchlight service. In addition,
the naval authorities should be asked to
cooperate to the extent OF having tor
pedo boats and small craft attempt to
run In and out OF the harbor by the two
forts during these two nights.
PERIOD OF HOSTILITIES
"The period from retreat Wednesday,
July 10, until reviells Sunday. July Ia.
shall be considered as the period OF actual
hostiities. and divided as follows:
From retreat Wednesday until reveille
Friday. Fort Greble to have the attack
and Fort Adams the defence.
From retreat Friday until reveille
Sunday. Fort Adams TO have the attack
and Fort Greble the defence, and during
each OF the two nights thus set apart,
there shall be at least one night attack
by a landing party. Only night attacks
should be attempted. and the time during
the day. on Thursday, Friday and Satur-
y,
land attack and defence by each fort in
dependently. In addition. it is urgently
recommended that the Rhode Island naval
militia be invited TO participate during
the period OF hostlities and be assigned
to each fort in turn making the attack.
"IV That during the entire periol OF the
encampment the artillery district and post
staff officers be directed TO act as in
structors In the duties Of their office. for
similar staff officers OF the state troops
FAvoRs NIGHT PRACTICE.
"In addition IL IS believed that authori-
ty should be granted to expend 80 rounds
OF blank ammunition at Battery Talbot
4.72)), Fort Adams. r. l., and a similar
amount at Battery "Og,ien" Q5-pounders),
Fort Greble. r. l.
This blank ammunition is on hand and
should be used in the night work, for fir
ing on targets picked up by the search
lights. Should the expenditure of ammu-
milton for target practice recommended
above be authorized the practice should
be held on Thursday. Friday or SATURDAY.,
due regard for weather conditions consid-
cred.
''The boats available at present for sim
ulated naval attacks and landing parties.
are the quartermaster steamer Gen. Rob
ert Swartwout, the qauartermaster tug
Captain Drum, and quartermaster launch
Captain Connell: also the eight submar-
Inc mining BRACES.
should the Rhode Island naval
militia participate. IL is learned from
the state authorities that the follow
ing small boats would become avail
able:
zone % steam launch, capacity
900 people.
Eight (s) cutters or whaleboats,
capacity Is 10 20 people
PLAN FOR 200 RESERVES
"The personnel OF the Rhode Island
Naval militia In round numbers is two
hundred (200) officers and men.
WI. 1t is further recommended
that a torpedo planter be sent to the
district during the encampment. The
boat would thus become available for
simulated naval attack and landing
parties, as well as giving instruction
in the actual work OF mining the har-
Dor. Authority to explode one Cd
mine should he granted,
wi. In making this report the
board has consulted with the adjutant
OF the state OF Rhode Island, and
with Mai Charles w. Abbot, U. S. in
fantry. retired, on duty with the state
troops, and has taken into considera-
ton the greatly reduced strength OF
the regular garrison-teh lack OF any
modern fire control installation-and
the absence of any authority TO move
troops over the land OF private es-
tates adjoining the reservation OF
Fort Adams"