New York 'Saved' From Black Fleet.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 9, 1913:
War Game Ends Ahead of Time with "Destruction" of Battleships by the Forts.
ALL OVER IN HALF HOUR
Admiral Badger Tries Dash on City Through Sound, but Falls to Get Past Defenses.
Special to The New York Times.
    NEW LONDON, Aug. 8.— New York City will not fall into the hands of the Black Fleet. Theoretically that squadron was wiped off the surface of the ocean this morning by the forts on Fisher's Island, Gull Island, and Plum Island, and the war game came to an abrupt end several hours before it was supposed to end, because the fleet had been annihilated when it attempted to dash past the forts and sweep down upon New York, by way of Long Island Sound.
    The dreadnoughts attempted to run the gantlet at 10:15 o'clock in the morning, and thirty-five minutes later they had supposedly been riddled with the projectiles that were hurled fast and furious from the batteries, especially those on Fort Wright.
    The trial at running the forts was the most spectacular of the manoeuvres, and the outcome of the battle is regarded as complete demonstration of the supremacy of the coast defense against naval attack.
    The warships were fired upon when about 3,000 yards distant, and during the half-hour battle between the army and navy there was truly a desperate session, as all witnesses of the great spectacle can testify. Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger, commanding the Atlantic fleet on board the flagship Wyoming issued a statement to-day that was approved by Major Gen. T.N. Barry, commanding the land forces, saying the manoeuvres of the past week had been for the mutual benefit of both army and navy, and a great deal had been learned by the several attacks which were mutually agreed upon.
    There were no umpires appointed, and the damage that might have been done to the ships and forts will never be known.
    Both Admiral Badger and Gen. Barry agree that the manoeuvres have been of inestimable value, and have fully paid for themselves.