Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-24
Twenty-fourtll Consress--lst sess
REPORT or THE SECRETARY OF WAX.

NAV enter for shelter all Of them important ohecs' may
be secured us inspection of the map OF me 'own anu
harbor will show, by occupying OIL ffeoie
island Hog-isand ledge, and Fish point Al me same
+ima r. the two channels 10 the west and east OF hog
island ledge can be obstucted at small expense wch
is hardly matter of doubt although some hnal surveys
are to decide this point there will be no ne
cessity for battery the ledge; and Fish point need be
occupied only by such works as may be thrown up IN
time of war The expense, as now estimated, OF Inc
works planned for this deenccno including the de-
fence Of Hog island channel of which The mode has not
been seedowill be l55 900 for Fort Prebe and $4o,
900 for House island. For Hog-island channel, say
Sl35000.
Tic mouths of the Saeo, Kennebunk and ork-Com.
parativcly small works WILL It IS thought adcqua'ely
cover these places and $4,000 is assumed their ag-
gregate cost. ,,
harbor between Cape Elizabeth and Cape Ann, is Ports
mouth harbor, within the mouth OF Pscataqua RIVER
Lineofba,tle ships ascend this river as high as Fox
point, miles above the town OF Portsmouth Be-
tween this point and Shooting point is branch oil the
river communicating with Great bay. This branch
Which is one-tird Of mile wide presents, tor two miles
in EXCELLENT cover for all sorts Of vessels This
situation sufficiently commodious for secondary depot
desgned to repair vessels of seeking an asylum IN
this river too the for great naval depot and
inhr respects does not possess the advantages vi bos
to shown in the report Of the Board OF Eng
neers 1920 Still, as Portsmouth is an excellent hsiaor
and station and is indispensable that some, at eis
of these stations be provided with the necessary establish
ents for REPAIRS the depot in this river should be nisn
tanned to be regretted that the bay to the south Of
Fox point not chosen the site Of the navy yard
instead of Fernas island Being where It is, It WI! be
necessary in times Of war, to make some particular dis
positions for the protection Of the yard from an attack
from the north shore ofthe river
The position of Fort Consultation must, certainly, ano
that Of Fort McClcary may, possibly be occupied by
these defences though the works themselves especially
the first named must give place to such as will bette
fulfil the object The other positions for forts are Ger
49, Tab 70 tclo ~ 1
not all of which must be occupied. Some Gaal Surveys
must be made before the necessary works can be acci
rately determined on and before estimates be made
but there is for believing that the entire
of ortying this harbor will moi fall short of $500 GOO
Ne,oGurgpor. harbor-Ths is the next port Sourh Of
Portsmouth. The Merrmac river, the mouth Of (which
forms this harbor obstructed at its junction With the
sea by bar on which there was formerly but six or
however been thought 10 be essentially important. and
a! any rate leads to beautiful prosperous and wealthy
city The points forming the mouth of the river are
continually changing their form and position near the
middle of the present channel said to be the spot
occupied by fort Under such circumstances it
advisable TO rely for the defence of this abor forts
to be thrown up on the approach of war; unless the
works of haborimprovement in progress shall be
found give stability to the points in question. 1t is
quaely.
Gloucester harLorThe position of this harbor,
the extremity Of Cape Anne, places 1t in close relation
it an Importance beyond what would be assigned to 1t
account Of its local interests No surveys have yet been
made, but it is believed that sufficient deences mag be
provided for 100000.
Beverly harGor.-This harbor will be defended chiefly
by portion of the works designed for Sasen $50 004
IN addition, will secure it.
Salem hartor.-The port of Salem is distant from
Marbehead two miles, being separated thereflom by
peninsula. The occupation Of the extremity Of Winter
island, (where The ruins of Fort Pickering)
side, and Of Naugus head the other will efectu.
ally secure this harbor Projects have been presented
for this defence, now estmaed at S225 900.
aGr6iehcad harbor-Besdes covering, in some mca
sure the establishment al Boston, the harbors Of Marble
head and Salem possess important commerce Of their
own and also afford shelter for vessels prevented by
tain winds from entering Boston or pursuing their
head hafbo proposed BY the BOARD of Engineers, con.
ssls iii occupying the nosta side, the hlock which
commands the present Fort Se~a (Which will be super
seeded by the work and the south, the position
OF Jack point. The two works will cost S31S 900.
Boston har60r.-We come now 10 the most important
harbor in the Eastern section Of the coast and cons.
dering its relation TO general and interests of
The navy one OF the most important in the Union. AT
Ter careful examination of all the necessary conditions
OF such problem the Board Of Naval Officers and En-.
gneers in their joint report Of 1920 gave this harbor
preference all other positions the East and ipcu
slye, OF New York Bay and the Hudson, tie seat Of
the great Northern naval depot For reasons at large
Tor this selection, reference made to the repurt of
1870. But, should the recommendation there
IN contained remain unsanconcd, still Boston is city
OF great wealth, possesses an extensive and active
commerce, and contains already within its karbor,
an establishment on which great reliance is placed
give growth and energy navy. The present forts
In Boston harbor defend merely the interior basin from
attacks BY water but it often happens that vessels
ter Nantasket roads with wind too scant to pass the
narrows, detained in President roads by light winds
or an adverse tide; the former especially is very
convenient anchorage, from waence 10 proceed sea;
and above ALL Nantasket roads afford the best posi-
nie station ior biockadng squadron, it deemed
indispensable 10 place permanent defences the mouth
u Tue maroon The project Of defence regards the ex.
shg worfs, with the necessary repairs and moditi.
saacn' as constituting second barrier; coniempates
permanent tort on Georges island; another at
tasNet mead, having two advanced works on the head
ana one on Hog island reducing the altitude of Gallo,
siand, IN order to destroy its command over Georoe
Island; and hlng up the Boadsound channel go ns to
ieaVe no passage, In that direction for Sims Of wnr
These are estimated to cost So 3S37 O00 FRss;a. H.
works OF permanent character, it will be necos,r -;
the beginning of war, to erect several Nv
in the lower part Of the harbor in order 70 MAKE TIN,
defence more perfect, and also certain lateral
proaches to the navy yard. ~
Plymouth and ProuiRcetosn horbors.-These are the on
V barbors the Northeastern section of the coast soub
Of Boston They have commerce Of some consequence
Of their own ;butthey are particularly interesting in re-
ference Boston; and 10 the transition f;on
The Middle Eastern section of the coast in which
respect ths become still more important, shoulc
the proposed eanal from Buzzards to Barnstable bay
ever be executed While these harbors undefend
ed enemys squadron blockading Massachusetts bay
will have ports Of refuge under his lee of which he woulo
not fail 10 avail himself to maintain his blockade even
throughout the most stormy seasons knowing that the
wind which would compel linn to seek shelter, would be
adverse to outwardbound, and fatal should they ven.
ture near the cape, 10 inward bound vessels. While in
possession Of these harbors enemy wostd huve con-
his eye the harbor of Boston, the passage
round Cape Cod and that through the canal To these
considerations going to establish the necessity of
ing hes harbors BY proper defences it must e added
that being thus deprived of the shelter afforded by these
ports, aaemy would be unable to enforce rigorous
investment In the first place he would be often deter
red from taxing station the land lest he should DO
caught emb by the violent easerly winds REVEALING
at certain seons in the next place. he would always
take good DING every distinct indication of these