When The Fleet Visits Cape Cod Bay.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 14, 1912:
July Is the Month for Target Practice, War Games, Night Attacks, and "Jack Ashore."
    EVERY Summer ships of the North Atlantic Squadron are assembled in the still waters of Cape Cod Bay for target practice, and incidentally to entertain the Summer visitors at the Cape villages of the north shore from Provincetown as far as Dennis. On the receiving days, when the officers and men are ready to play hosts to the civilian population, there are scores of launches and pleasure craft plying between the fleet and the shore landings, carrying loads of excursionists, to whom a peep at the inside workings of these war engines is a great event. Traditionally sailors and officers are courteous, and they seem very glad to conduct the visitors about and answer the unending questions.
    When there is to be target practice the great fleet steams slowly out of Provincetown Harbor early in the day and steers across toward the Dennis shore, a distance of about fifteen or twenty miles, and falls into line formation, preparatory to the day's work. Meanwhile the targets at which the battleships are to aim are being arranged off shore, about five miles at sea. One of the reasons why the fleet gathers here in this bay is because there is very little traffic of fishing vessels or steamers to interfere with the practice, and the watchers, scanning the seaward horizon with their powerful glasses in search of such passing craft, seldom have to give warning.
    The men behind the big guns on the ships, five miles away, have to live up to the navy's traditional marksmanship if they are to hit the rolling canvas targets, no more than twenty-five feet square. This practice cannot be carried on in rough water, and it is the smooth water of Cape Cod Bay that brings the warships here for big-gun practice.
    The spectator on shore, who at North Dennis may be within perhaps two or three miles of the battleship, first sees a sharp burst of smoke issue from the ship. An instant later, before any report is heard, is seen the spray shooting high in the air where the shot has struck the water far out in the bay. Then comes the roar of the gun which rings long and loud for several seconds reverberating like heavy thunder. In fact, when the heaviest guns are being used, the houses on the cape tremble and windows rattle for some time after the charge is fired. A few years ago the big guns were fired frequently with heavy charges and windows along the shores at Dennis were often broken by the jar. The heavy gun firing can be easily heard all over the cape and the jar felt in buildings as well. It is related that an accidental discharge of a gun pointing shoreward once sent a shell in the direction of East Dennis. It struck an empty house, which, naturally, was entirely demolished.
    In all the practice here— and the squadron has assembled in Massachusetts waters for several years— no reports of any damage done by stray shots beyond the targets have been heard, though there is considerable traffic on some days between Boston and Provincetown. The excursion steamer Dorothy Bradford plys between these points twice daily, and would be in a direct line of fire. The ships have made some remarkable records for accurate shooting while at target practice at this rendezvous.
    Another feature of the "war game" in the bay is the night attacks, when the attacking fleet tries to get within firing distance of the defensive squadron. It is not very often, however, that the attacking fleet of destroyers succeeds in creeping undiscovered within any distance. Most of the work of is done at night. Then the powerful searchlights of the craft are in play, making a free spectacle for the people on shore. The great lights flash back and forth across the sky, and give the Cape Cod residents a thrilling imitation of what they may some day see in grim reality. Just what the intent of the manoeuvres may be and their results are not made public. They are kept secret for fear that foreign spies on shore might learn the signals, plans, methods of attack. &c, of the navy.
    Accuracy in scoring is almost as important as straight shooting, and after the targets have been hit they are towed ashore. Three or four hits nearly always put a target out of commission, but they scarcely ever sink, as they are built to remain afloat, so that results can be recorded.
    Shore leave for the crews during the visit of the fleet here allows the men twenty-four or forty-eight hours' liberty on shore in relays. Oftentimes the ships' bands are ashore at the same time, and give concerts at the town parks. The jackies take advantage of the fine diamond at Provincetown, and the navy ball games always attract thousands of spectators.
    A favorite stunt of Jack ashore in Provincetown is climbing the Pilgrim Memorial monument. And more than that, they climb out at the summit and walk around the topmost ledge, jumping from one stone to another. "Jumping the stones" at the top of the monument, nearly 300 feet from the ground is the great hazing test in the North Atlantic fleet.
    The North Atlantic fleet usually remains here about a month during July after which it is up anchor and away for rougher waters. Many of the wives and families of the officers stay at the Cape while the feet is assembled in the Bay.