Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-27
Twenty-fcurth Consress--lst scss
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
(Continucl.)

Twenty-fcurth Congress--lst scss.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
(Continucd)
SOUTHERN SECTION OF THE ATLANTIC COAST
This coast is invariably low and for the greaes part,
sandy-much resembling the coast from Cape Hatteras
10 Mon,aug point. ridge of sand, here and there IN
terrupted by the auvion of the rivers extends through
its whole length this ridge, in certain portions lies on
the main land, while in others it dsded therctrom by
basins or sounds of various width and dep,h and IS cut
up into islands by channels OF greater or less
depth, connecting these interior waters with the sea-
Wherever this sand ridge is broken its place is occupied
by low and marsy grounds bordering the principal ana
the many lesser outlets of the rivers.
The nature OF the country through which the rivers
of this coast flow after leaving the mountains is such
that the banks being easily abraded by the current the
waters are always urbid aud continually transporting
new supplies for the formation of aIluvon and the MAN.
tenance of extensive submarine banks shoals and bars
that these do not rapidly increase owing force OF
the current the action of the sea, and the mobility of
the particles of matter II 10 the cause namely,
the wearing away of the shores of the rivers tina, is 10
be attributed the want this coast, OF harbors uncb-
sructed by BARS and which, coast, particularly dis
tinguish this and the Gulf OF Mexico frontier ("hee
similar operations have been going on) from the more
Northern and Eastern portions.
Ocracock inlc..-The saaowness Of the water on the
bars at Ocracock esctuay excludes all vessels of
from the harbor within But as this is outlet Of
extensive commerce, and through this opening at
tenlpts might be made in small vessels, or in boats 10
much might depend in time of war, timely prepare
ton must be made of temporary works equal 10 the de-
fence of it against all such minor enterprises.
Beaufort harJor, NORTH Carotina.-Work completed.
HoutS of Cape Fear rircr-The defence Of the main
channel of Cape Fear river requires, in addition 10 the
work nearly completed Oak island, another fort
Bald head, and the defence of the smaller channel will
require redoubt on Federal point. The battery, maya
zinc, house, quarters &c, at StnithvIle should
remain accessories. The cost is set down at 000
Georgetown harJor-The first inlet, of any consc
quence south of Cape Fear river is at the united mouths
of the Waccamaw, Pedee, and Black rivers, forming
Georgetown harbor, which is comnlodious and ca.
pacious bay having sufficient water within and upon the
bar, near the mouth, for merchant vessels and sioa
vessels ofwar. survey of this harbor, begun many
years ago. has never been Completed and projects Of
defence have been made. 1t is probable that work
placed near Moscheo creek, Winyaw point, would
give adequate strength, at the cost Of about $3.50 900.
Santce ripcr and Bulls tuy.-About ten miles south
from Georgetown entrance the mouths of The Santee,
the largest river in South Carolina 1t is not known
whether the bars at the mouths of this river have su
hcientater for going vessels; the uncertainty
exists to the depth into Bulls bay. It mas be WE'LL
however, consider them, and the other nets between
Georgetown and Charleston, as calling for small works.
capable Of resisting boat enterprises and TO assign TO them
100000. Should they prove to be navgable for pri
vateers, they will need larger expenditure
Charleston South Cdr0ltnd.The city, situated at the
junction of Ashley and Cooper rivers about five miles
in direct line from the Between it and the
is wide and safe Ioadstead for vessels Of any druugh
Upon the bar lying three or four miles outside OF the
harbor, there is however, only water enough for the
smaller frigates and for large sloops Of On the
southwest side Of the harbor is James island throsgh
which several serpentne passages, or less nav
gable for boats aud barges Of them communicate
directly with the Sea and Stono river Whappoo cut the
most norhery passage from Stono Charleston harbor
enters Ashley river opposite the middle Of the city In
terror natural water communications exist, also the
southwest of Stone river, connecting this with North
Ediso river the latter with South Edisto and ST. Hele
mas sound this, again, with Broad river, and finally
thus last with Savannah river On the north side of the
harbor of Charleston lies Sullivan's island separated
from The main by channel navgahle to small crah-
To the northeast of Suvans island an interior water
communication extends to Balls bay, and even be yond
10 the barber of Georgetown
From this sketch it is apparent that ii will nos do to
restrict the deences to the principal entrance of The
hnrbor. The lateral avenues must also be shut. And
it ia probable that accurate surveys of all these
will show that the best mode of defending the latter will
be by works at or the mouths of the nles, the
enemy will be kept thereby at greater distance from
the city; the lesser harbors by these inles will
be secured and the line Of interior communication will
be inaccessible from the
No position for the defence of the principal entrance
to Charleston habor be found the than
the western extremity Of Sulvans island This is at
present occupied by Fort Mouire, a work Of some
strength, but by adequate toits object its bat
terry being weak and the scarp ow to oppose no
serious obstacle to escalade. Hu far this work, by mo-
dhcation of its plan and relief may he made couri-
butte to better defence of the huree:, be
determined.
On shoal nearly opposite Fort Mos':re, the founda-
ton ola fort has been begun which wiEhaye power
fui crosshre with Fort Moure. It is presumed that
about SSOo,O0O would put these works ia a complete
state.
Stone, North Eds.0 and South Edisto-All these must
ee iorhed, al least IN such manner as TO secure them
from enterprise IN boats small vessels To that end
$4,000 may be assigned to each
81. Helena sound--The proner des,,ces c,nr,, h
pointed out till this sound shall have been surveyed
Although there ~ supposed TO be no rrcnt ,.r,I f
water on the bar, 1t IS known TO be naviynha r., ia
smaller class of merchantmen and TO have So;
bic communication with the head Of Broad river or P
Royal, interesting the interior navigation be,w..n
Charleston and Savannah. This sound will reou;rs da
fence even should il not be of much as harbor Of
refuge for exterior commerce. $4,000 may be The
cost Of the defences.
Broad rtper Port Royal roads.-The value of this
capacous roadstead, kartur Of refuge, depends
the depth which he carried over the bar on the
distance of this bar outside Of the line of coast and on
the means which may be applicable of Iesscnng the
danger Of crossing it. This supposed to be the deep
est bar Of the Southern coast Should there prove to
be water enough for rgates and by lighthouse on the
shore, and lights, or other distinct guides on the bar
should it De practicable To make the passage Of the bar
safe and easy, this road situated within 60 miles Of
Charleston and 20 of Savannah river ntersectur the
Inferior navigation between these great cities thereby
securing the arrival of supplies of every kind, would
possess very high degree of Importance not only as
hsrbor Of refuge but as naval station also.
The survey Of the exterior shoals CONSTITUTING the
bar should be made with the greatest care and ali DOS
sble minuteness Il is only when this shall have been
done that the true relation of this the rest of the
coast can be known, and on this relation the position
and MAGNITUDE of the required defences will depe