Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-20


means Oiattach commensurate with the OH
iect 10 be effected. With this view OF the sinh
Ject nave perhaps been too prefix i'm NV
comments II so, plead the injunction con-
neral and particular remarks As might occur; :.
this, and my desire 70 be satisfactory, offer as
my apology.
have the honour to remain.
ioor 0os" snr S ,s,S2t /. e,,.,
Commodore John Rodgers.
President ~ the Board of
Mary Commissioners
Document 4. No >, accompanying. chart 4
Tge'1ed to IA tie report efthe Sscrssayv
u the Narg, communicating inyornaqtioa
fe'at're to a site forG NGrai Depot.
Washington, Nov. II, 1916.
SIR,
In compliance with your order and in
StrucuonS nave the honor TO submit the fol.
loving observations on tie defence of Ches3
peake Bay. together with the enclosed man 4.
sketches-tlie first being the result of yarious
examinations made by Major Kearney and
myseii-tne latter, some outlines of my views
on this subject.
Whatevermay he the importance of founding
permanent fortiiicationsto exclude an enemy
from the waters OF the Chesapeake il does uof
appear from attentive examination that the
entrance or mOuth of that bav (viz a line from
the nearest part ola shoal called the Middle
Ground, to Cape Henry,) affords the most
practicable positions, as the violent action OF
the Atlantic during gales OF wind, and the
great depth of water, will render any at;emnt
10 establish permanent foundations on that lire
extremely slow in the execution and il ever
erected, OF uncertain durability independent
OF an expense which the most saneuine could
scarcely deem juStifiable
The next position ofimportance is Ha,nnton
Roads. regular fertilization on Old Point
comfort, and castle on the nearest paIt of
MllloHghby's shoai, called the Rip-rap, distance
l,oVo yardS, might, with the aid Of a wel-or~a-
nlzed h9tilsa, not only cover James and Eliza
pcth rivers nom the attempts of "A superior ma
val enemy, but the latter would also threaten
inc rear OF an armament that would pass mn
tue bay This position would also present the
.iiost prompt SHpport to orr marine, whether
III reconnOitring IN enemy, whose movements
may be observed from thence To the Atlantic
while protected by the batteries, or finding thai
protection, ON returning TO port scarcely Il
miles from Cape Henry.
IN the event OF fortifving the mass betvsan
Oid Point Comfort and WillOughby's Shoal
several positions near the margin of Lynuhayen
pay, may be advant ageOusly occupied bv small
insulated towers OF masonry, carrying one 81
FOUNDER each, and at such distances from tho
shore as will secure them from the effert of
grape and case shot; aud as this bay would
then be the only place near the mouth of the
chesapeake that superior naval enemy conId
occupy with effect, The towers previously re
them OF the principal advantages which the
position would otherwise afford One or two
towers of the same kind would also prove inn.
portant in the vicinity ofCape Charles
Having thus stated an opinion that Hamilton
roads from It's proximity 10 the Atlantic. com
Dnes many superior advantages: * iffortifed
VII! constitute an Important part ofthe general
aeiences OF the Chesapeake,S singly wlserve
' 10 cnecS the incursions of aH enemy, it
VIII, presume, be superfluous to particuarize
the positions, which are more remote from the
mouth otthe Chesapeake that NAV be occupied
LOT Iecai deienceS, as almost every site OF the
inscriptions already fortified where objects OF
suliicIent Importance, and the existing NOM.
lation warrant their establishment
as the total exclusion of an cneinv from tbe
waters CT the Chesapeake is an object of ereaf
qua ihci easing importance, and the obstacles
naNlng been already noted which will uroba
ply prevent the prosecution of such design in
me establishment OF permanent and efficient
oeiehces at IT'S entrance, in conformity with the
SPIRIT OF my Instructions, subjoin an opinion
on more practicable position
ny referring 10 the enclosed map and sections
=. -. r. I 1T may ne observed that the distance
ana depth ot water between the extremity of
the Horseshoe and Middle Ground, is less dian
petween the latter aud Cape Henry, ths bottom
oehig dis0, AT every place ftriai, firm aud free
from qnIck-sdnd, and as that liae is also Tess
exposed to the action of the water in partjcu.
lar winds, there can be but little doubt of its
IDeihg the only position near the entrance of the
-. i ,-'N~' ''i"t Nouin Justly any dtlCmpt TO
establish permanent deiences, or that ninLt
promise, IN conjunction with the works pro
posed, and naval cooperation, to afford gener
al protection and security
Shouid this idea be deemed worthy of SERIOUS
attention, the proposed castle or Willonehbv's
shOai may be erected in the first instance and
II, upon the test Of time aud military inyesfi
gatioh, IL should be found Substantial and eff
Iecuye sound aud ample data would be thus
iHOfdeu Tor the construction Of similar towers
liue IN number, or the line previously men
ioneG. VIZ: from tie extremity of the Horse
Shoe 10 the Battle-Ground, and ,vouldnot nm.
y test the principle, but also the relative ex
The expeuce of erecting works of masonry
lear the entrance of the Chesapeake will be |
considerably augmented IN consequence of the |
Instance from the principal materials. viz. lime
md sfOnes-the following general estimate |
on the prices of the present wear
vii not, presume, vary considerable from the |
ruth NV
regular case mated peniacon,
mounting 10 pieces Or cannon
and mortars, on Old Point Com
i0ft .-.... ......,..... .......... $3.50 900 |
quadranguar castle Of masonry.
four tlerSOt cannon. mounting ll5
guns, on Willoughby's Sh1al. 900 0DO |
Five small towers on the margin OF
l.ynnhayen Bays and near Cape
Charles. ...,..............,..... 600
SJO0,OOO !
The two works above mentioned conld keen
p an e'ectuai cross i'TN Of - pieces OF heavy
annOr and mortars, Oh amy vessel aften,ntin;y,
ne pass, for the space OF q minutes i'm fine
LOWING that tine yes.al Sfsn,,ll coil a.. !