New-York tribune., 1908-06-17
READY FOR THE ENEMY
LOWER Bay ILLUMINATED
Coast Defence to Man Bdtter1es
Behind SearchHghts.

Searchlights played the Lower Bay Ias'
night from Forts wadsworth and Hamilton "nhe
national guardsmen and regulars. engaged IN 'he
defence of New York against a mimic enemy were
guard ready at at the first news from SANDY
Hook to man the batteries OF huge guns and blow
the invading fleet out of the water as soon as IL
got within range. Infantrymen at the same time
patroled the outpost protect the forts from
attacks in the rear. which were expected about the
time the battle with the fleet should begin.
Drills for infantry and artillery marked the day
both forts. ended by searchlight practice in
the evening. Extended order drill school fnstruc-
ton and construction of intrenchments formed
part of the mornings programme at both forts;
company advance and rearguard duty and patrot
and outpost duty. the evening parade and night
lectures composed the work in the afternoon and
evening. while It in large humps. the
men didn't mind. They were keen to learn the
work and the brilliant sun. with its grateful
warmth after the sodden earth and downpourfng
rain nut officers and men into the highest spirits
So CHEEKY were they that at Fort Hamilton the
not duty got UP a baseball game and
track athletics.
After evening parade last night the guards were
doubled at both forts and actual military condi-
tions prevailed None the men In uniform
could gain admission to either encampment with
out passes. The searchiights were flashing over
the Narrows from both forts. and every craft be-
tween the forts and Sandy Hook was brought out
into clear relief The behind the searchhshts
enemy for lack of illumination
The general plan campaign on the part OF the
enemy as the men I'm the forts understand IT, was
TO run I'D on the forts under Of darkness first
having landed marines and land forces which should
attack the forts in the The defence OF the
forts from rear attack is in the hands OF Colonei
Henry c. Barthnan. Qutposts a mile in the rear
Of both forts were stationed last night to prevent
the invaders from capturing the forts as they did
Fort Wadsworth last year.
Of he Ragi
Sandy Hook Yesterday on board the government
steamer General Joseph e Johnston. The reg1-
lars from Fort Hancock took them in tow, ana
while they camp there will sho" tnern NO"
to handle the big coast defence guns
Residents of Bath Beach and Fort Hamilton are
extremely anxious over the danag which is likely
to result to their brfc-a-brac and glassware IN
Guiding windows the heavy cannona ding
Colonel Ludlow, in command at Fort Hamilton Tor
rna1lv advised representatives of the Sea Gate
Business Mems Association yesterday 10 leave their
windows open and put fragile pieces Of glassware
ornaments and other things easily breakable on the
beds or on cushions He said he hoped the dis
charges of the big guns wouldn't shake the buiId-
ings TOO severely but orders to be carried out
and ANYHOW war was war. and something unfortu-
nate might happen in mimic war
A swimming feat was performed last evening BY
Edward Wood, of the 9Th Regiment hospital corps
With a strong ebb tide running. he dived from the
sea wall at Fort Wadsworth and swan across the
Narrows landing at Fort Hamilton Resting only
a few minutes he started to swim back-a harder
thing ro do-as he had to head into and across the
current He crossed the Narrows. and had entered
slacL water close the Fort Wadsworth shore
when the men. fearing he would drown, sent out a
+ue to nick him up. He exhausted, but re-
fused to stay in the hospital longer than an hour