The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-04 00:00:00

THE DEFE

(Fraz a Correspondent of the Times.)
In my last letter .I mentioned that the American Govern-
ment was paying peCuliar attention to the military condi-
tion of California. The feeling which induces this care is
warmly reciprocated in the State. The Governor of Cali-
fornia, in his Message to the Legislature at its opening on
the 7th inst., alive to the importance of the subject, under
the heading " Harbour Defences," recommends that
"earnest representations should be made by the Legislature
to the national Government for complete protection to the
harbour of San Francisco ;" adding that "this is a subject
the imperative importance of which needs but to be sug-
gested, I am sure, to commar d your active cons deration,"
Considering that the usual "good order has generally
prevailed throughout the State" for the past year, and that
the same degree of good order happily continues without
any probability of interruption, as his Excellency himself in
effect admits, it is difficult to conceive wherein the "impe-
rative" necessity exists for further warlike or defensive pre-
parations. Looking at the extent of harbour and other de-
fences already existing, the conclusion which suggests itself
irresistibly is that the future, and not the present, is de-
sired to be provided for.
Let us see to what extent the defence of the country is
already provided for.

1. A fort lately finished stands on the south side of the
Golden Gate, as the entrance from the ocean to tho Bay of
San Francisco is named. This fort is four tiers in height,
one of which is on a level with the sea, which it is asserted
would enable the shot from its guns to hit a passing vessel
"between wind and water," and drive a ball right through
her, considering the narrowness of the entrance. The fort
completely commands the Golden Gate and such portion of
the sea outside, between the "Bar" and the entrance, as
requires great care in vessels passing into and out of the
harbour. It is a large, substantial structure of brick and
stone, having accommodation for 2,400 men, and is now
manned and occupied under strict war rules. Immediately
in the rear there is a battery on an escarpment in a hill,
upon which stood an old Spanish fort. This battery and
the new fort mount 164 guns, and the hill affords space
for an extended series of batteries to command the offing.
The ordnance combines all tho modern improvements and
appliances of the present mode of warfare. Close to the fort
there are ranges of workshops and of dwellings for soldiers,
artisans, and civilians. A road runs from the fort along
the beach of the bay and under a steep bank, which could
be so escarped for batteries as to defend the road to San
Francisco. Altogether "Fort Point" is considered a very
strong position. Some of the citizens fondly say it is im-
pregnable, but I cannot pledge myself to this extreme con-
clusion.
2. At a short distance inland, on a slope facing the bay,
and nearer to San Francisco, stands one of the principal
barrack stations, formerly the site of the old Spanish
" Presidio" or military station, and still called by that
name. The " Presidio Barracks" are large, and are at pre-
fully occupied by both infantry and cavalry. Batteries at
this point can command a large portion of the westerly and
northerly arms of the Bay of San Francisco, or more cor-
rectly all these portions could be so commanded.
3. Alcatraz (or Bird) Island.—Within the bay, close to
the eity of San Francisco, and opposite to the northern por-
tion of the city, are the fortifications called Fert Alcatraz.
The island is all rock, composed of hard compact sandstone;
its area about 35 acres; length, 1,673 feet; width 590 feet.
The apex of the island is 135 feet above the level of the
water. The whole of the island is fortified, encircled by
three batteries en barbette. The battery facing the city,
and commanding the outer and southerly portion of the bay
down to the Presidio, as well as the mainland between the
latter and the city, mounts 35 guns; the battery facing the
Golden Gate, and commanding the entrance to the bay
down to Fort Point, mounts 16 guns ; and the battery on
the northern side of the island mounts 40 guns, which
command a wide range, including the whole of the
northern and north eastern portions of the bay towards
Sancelito (the old watering- place of Sir Francis Drake
and the early navigators), Angel Island, &c. The ord-
nance is of the heaviest and most effective class hitherto
used in fortifications, some of the guns being large colum-
biads, which throw shot of 1201 b. ; but, no doubt, guns of
still greater calibre will soon be added, as modern improve-
ments may suggest. The fortifications include a shot-
proof guard-house, drawbridge, and appurtenances. On
the crest of the island is a massive three-storied barrack or
citadel, arranged (pierced) so that from every point a fire
of musketry can bo directed. There are also bomb- proof
magazines and a furnace for heating cannon balls. There
is deep water all round the Wand, and its sides in all parts
are so steep and sheer (except at the pier) as to make a
landing difficult. This national stronghold is represented
as a position of great strength and impregnable defence.
This representation it is not safe to gainsay. The position
is certainly a most favourable ono for offence and defence.
Besides commanding the entrance of the bay and the more
distant approach from the entrance to the harbour by one or
two of the batteries, the passage (between the island and
North Point, a p alien of the city) used by vessels in enter-
ing and leaving the port is completely controlled, and 50 is
the city. In short, Alcatraz fortifications command as much
of the Bay of San Francisco, all round the island, as their
guns cover (or, in other vt ords, as far as their shot can
reach) ; and this portion of the bay so commanded includes
the magnificent harbour of San Francisco.
4. There is also an extensive garrison at Benicia, on the
upper waters of the Bay of San Francisco (Straits of Car-
quinez), about 35 miles from this city. The site is well
chosen for the defence of the interior. It is en route to the
Sacramento river and to the town of the same name, the
capital of the State. Vessels of the largest class can sail or
steam to Benicia. The garrison is occupied by United States
troops and usually contains the ammunition and stores of
the army.
5. Not far from Benicia is the United States Navy-yat d
on Mare Island, also in the bay. This establishment is
on an enormous scale, and possesses a dry dock and every
necessary convenience for building and repairing vessels of
the largest class. It is not yet fortified, but I saw it stated
lately that works of defence were to be added. The ma-
rines taken and parolled by Captain Scmme the other day
are quartered here.
This imperfect description exhausts the present but not
the prospective permanent harbour defences ; for the last
advises from New York inform us that the Monitor, for
California, will be finished and shipped in sections to San
Francisco in the month of Janusry. She is to be set up
and launched in California. Her consort, the Wehauken,
is claimed to be a perfect success. As I mentioned some
months ago, there are three of these Monitors designed for
this coast—one for the defence of San Francisco, one for
Oregon, and the third for Washington. territory ; besides an
iron clad frigate for the general defence of the coast, and
where she will be stationed permanently.
,tiseeparations are being made for supplying all these
means of defence, as they are called, but some of which
may on occasion be used as means of offence. Two days
ago a quantity of materiel arrived at San Francisco from
Boston for the Government-1,000 barrels of powder-1,000
shells, four guns and carriages, 33 boxes ordnance, and
some stores which are to be storedwiintnt,h,elsod,oocokoyrnared
inn in
Mare Island,
With all these means of defence,
the State capable of bearing arms and liable to military
)3xcellency does, in the
duty," of,whom " some 50,000 are armed and disciplined
and ready for service," as stated by the Governor, on the
autaority of the Adjutant General, in the message before
alluded to, and confiding, as his
ability of this "numerical force, if properly armed and
equipped, to protect ourselves against any land force that
could be brought to menace our soil," and ignoring, as he
does, the United States forces stationed in the different Go-
vernment establishments just enumerated—taking all these
means of defence into account, as well as those so soon to be
added, it seems difficult for an ordinary observer to conceive
in what consists the imperative necessity of further protec-
tion to the harbour of San Francisco, if any land force that
could be brought to menace the country is all that the Go-
vernor is afraid uf. The difficulty is cleared up, however,
when we look beyond the Governor's message to the press,
which explains the subject of preparation to be defence
against some one of the great European Powers with whom
we might go to war, which, from the complication of our
civil difficulties, may during these troublous times arise at
any moment." 01 course, all this beating about the bush
means in simple terms that a war with England is consi-
dered probable.
Having seen what are the means of offence and defence,
and what are the preparations of our neighbours, let us
now take a glance of our own situation in 9-- two colonies
of British Columbia and Vancouver Islanck This will be
a very easy, but not an agi enable, task. In British
Columbia there is neither fortification, battery, nor a
single gun—not even one to fire a salute with. There
are some companies of Royal Engineers, who, with their
officers, are equal in all military qualifications to any sol-
diers in the British army ; but there is no permanent mili-
tary establishment of any kind yet provided for the
colony. In fact the defence of both colonies must always
chiefly depend upon the navy. The Home Government
has understood this from the first, and has prudently act
upon the conviction by ordering a due portion of the Pacific
squadron to these colonies. The men-of-war, when not
cruieing—a must useful and important duty, which they
sometimes perform by trips along the north coast, for colo-
nial objects, the chief of which is the regulation of the
Indians—rendezvous in the harbour of Esquimalt close to
Victoria. Until the recent discoveries of iron casting and
iron floating batteries, and what not that I don't at the
moment remember—but say until Monitors were built—
our men-of-war were sufficient in numbers and equipment
for the protection of the colonies. But let us see how they
stand now, since the new-fashioned ships have come into

use,
We have at present in Esquimalt harbour the Topaze
(screw), one of the finest frigates in thenavy, carrying some
700 men—full complement (she may now have about 650
to 600 men on board, besides officers), and the Devastation,
paddle-wheel, also a large ship, but whose complement of
men Ido not know. Besides these two ships these are two
gunboats, of the period of the Russian war, generally em-
ployed in the inland waters on service, but often in port,
one at Esquimalt and one at Victoria.
Some time ago the Imperial Government sent out 14-
guns, 32's and 68's, for the protection of Esquimalt har-
bour, They hale &toyer been Put in position, and no lAt-