New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-05
FORTS FOIL NAVAL FOES
Army Defeats First Day Attacks
by Ships OF the Sound.
SEARCHLIG LIGHT FINDS ENEMY
Detects Torpedo Boat Destroy
ers Creeping Up on De-
fences at Midnight.
IEy TelcgrarF 10 no TdIunc !

New London. Conn. Aug. Rear
| Admiral Charles !. Badger, in command
90 the BLACK Fleet" which is attempting
an entrance to Long Island Sound. lost
nc time i'm getting his ships into action
when the mimic war started at midnight,
as the big guns testified when they
night this morning
There have been several attacks by
the fleet since hostiltics opened, and at
80 o'clock tonight there was a call 10
arms at Forts Wright. Niche and Terry.
hotilla Of torpedo boat dostroyers and
submarines having been discovered ap-
preaching from Block Island An hour
later the army and navy were In the
midst Of the attack, according to advices
by csbe from the adjutant's Office at
Fort Wright
At midnight this morning, when the
first attack was made, there was single
dark gray speck seen silently moving
to the cast Of Fishers Island. in the direc-
ton of Fort II. G. Wright Hardly had
IL crept out OF it's cover of darkness when
another tiny object Of similar shape fol-
lowed in its wake. Behind them came
others. in single file, Ike Indians creep
ing on a foe.
Swiftly the long line Of moving shapes
drew nearer and nearer TO the fort.
Suddenly shaft OF light piercingly brill
liant in the gloom. shot out across time
black exranse Of sea and fell full upon
the advancing fleet of torpedo boat de-
stroyers.
In another instant the guns OF For'
Wright burst forth their fury on the
enemy's advance guard. The torpedo boat
destroyers continued their attack, ana
under n persistent fire from the fort
lowered in the vicinity until . 80 TINS
morning. when they retired to Gardiner
Bay.
-Four hours later feet Of twelve
battleships, preceded by Ave torpedo boat
destrovers, attacked in turn Forts wright
Niche and Terry The vessels retired 10
Gardeners Bay at ll:06 and there eN-
ecuted an About Fleet" movement re-
turning in the direction Of Block Island
At noon a second fleet, consisting OF the
battleships Utah, Florida. Delaware ana
North Dakota. preceded by five TORPEDO
boa, destrovers started an attack on
Wilderness Point They were met ny an
avalanche Of imaginary shells ana Kept
az distance of 5000 yards. All is OK
element al the island forts and there
IS constant preparedness FOR an attack Al
any moment In the daylight 1t is easily
POSSIBLE 10 follow the movements OF inc
shjps If the enemy. but al night the NaIue
Of searchlight drill IS brought out iofce-
fully.
Abolt three o'clock this afternoon the
first division battleships and FIVE torpedo
boat destroyers made another sweep low
ard the Notifications. and after approach
ine within 1000 yards, and attempting
attacks on Forts Wright Niche anu
Terry. retreated after an hours ba','e'
the mortars at Wright and Terry replying
IN the vessels attack.
Admiral Badgers dispatch boat the
yankton. approached Fort Wright AT D
o'clock this evening flying the interna-
nonal information signal, and secret mes
cages were sent ashore to General Barry
Eastern department commander.