Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-10-06
FLEET MENACES
EAST i. S. COAST
Fourteen of Americas Greatest
Warships Steam Out to Engage
Enemy.
WILL SEEK TO BAR FOE.
Secrecy ShrOuds War Game Plans as
Vessels Leave Hampton Roads
Under Admiral Fletcher.

Headed by the battleship Wyoming.
flagship of the Atlantic fleet. fourteen
of Americas greatest warships have
steamed from Hampton Roads, under
command of Admiral Fletcher. for the
Atlantic ocean to meet make-believe
enemy ir the shape Of another feet OF
warships flying the Stars and Stripes.
The ships had on a warlike appear
ance when they left the Roads, and two
hours later. when they steamed slowly
through the Virginia Capes. they hung
close together apparently making about
twelve knots Warlike preparations
had been made for the departure of the
feet and the utmost secrecy was main
tanned concerning the plans for the
maneuvers along the coast and the
hour of the departure
Strangers were not allowed aboard
without special permission, and the
members of the crews which were Civ
en- shore liberty were not permitted to
discuss anything relative to the pro
posed movement of the fleet Five
thousand men were given shore liberty
Saturday afternoon. with instructions to
report or board their ships at O'Clock
in the morning. 1t is said that every
man reported and that each ship sailed
with full crew complement
Only Admiral Fletcher was aware OF
the part each ship is to play in the
forthcoming war game when the fieei
left Hampton Roads. 1t is stated on
good authority that the captains of the
various ships composing the big fleet
did not know what part their vessels
were to take in the mimic warfare.
They sailed under sealed orders which,
It was said, would not become known
TO the various ships until they were
well out at sea.
After clearing the Virginia Capes the
fleet is expected TO scatter in ali direc-
tions so as to come upon the enemy
from all sides TIE feet sailing will be
the defenders. feet of war ships
OF less fighting strength, which sailed
from Newport. will be known as the
invaders" The defenders will endeav
or TO prevent the invaders from pene-
trating its lines, so as to effct a land
ing or entrance to any American port
from Maine to Florida.
The mimic warfare is scheduled to
have begun at midnight last night. and
will continue fifteen days Both fleets
will engage in extensive maneuvers
following the war game There will
be night and day firing with all guns
and torpedo practice. Twenty-four tor
pedo boat destroyers will take part in
the maneuvers. Practically every
available naval vessel on the Atlantic
coast IS participating in the present ma
val war game The hostile feet, des-
ignated as the Reds put to sea on
Monday, and the other, the Blues"
steamed from Hampton Roads yester-
day. In the defending fleet are eight
dreadnaughts and four pre-dread-
naughts. Admiral Fletcher's flag flies
from the Wyoming, and the other ships
of his fleet are the New York. Texas.
Florida, Arkansas, Utah. Michigan.
South Carolina. Louisiana, New Hamp-
shire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Vir-
ginia, and other large vessels.
Vice-Admiral Mayo's fleet is com
posed of swift cruisers and vessels of
similar type. Submarines and mines
are to play an important part in the
maneuvers, theoretical mine fields hav-
ing been established at strategic points
along the Atlantic coast The progress
of the operations will be kept secret be
cause of the desire of the Wcr College
to work out a scheme of national de-
fense. All wireless stations along the
coast have been requested to eommuni
cate what messages they may receive
from the ships to the Navy Department
Separate wireless codes have been
worked out for each division, so that
reports may be read at the Navy De-
partment, though neither feet can
learn in that way what the other is do
ing. The only branch of the naval SER
vice not participating in the game is
the Aeroplane Corps No provision for
the work of airships was made by the
War College in drawing " the plans.