Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-05-27
OUR NATIONAL DEFENSES.
NO,l2.

"NthfS Sooss obN 'itt VIC Wti VI 1919
surprised us in the outset of this fortif-
cation. We are next TO see whether
the experience OF that war,-in which
our gallant little navy saw the begin
nins, il 10 10 be hoped. OF a long career
Of glory and useSolness,- changed in
any degree the opinions of Congress as
to The utility and economy of defending
our valuable harbors and sea ports,
where practicable, by Notifications.
Let US quote from the recent report
OF the Hon. Mr.. Shields, Chairman OF
the Committee on Military affairs, to the
United States Senate.
During the last war with Great Bri-
tain great loss and suffering had been
experienced in consequence Of the un
protected condition Of our coast. AT the
close Of the war Congress having their
losses still in lively remembrance, and
also recollectiRg the protection which
had been afforded by even small and in
complete works, determined 10 take up
the whole subject Of national defense
and adopt a system suited to the wants
and necessities Of the country. Accord
ingly in 1916, board was organized"
composed OF Naval and Military officers,
General BERNARD, a distinguished French
officer, being All assistant on H. "The
Board Submitted a comprehensive re.
port, giving their views in full, with es.
Inmates, in many cases eOnjectura, as
TO all the works which would be requir-
cd tor the defense Oi the Coast. They di-
vided the works into six ciasses--A. b,
G. ID. E and F. according to their sup
posed importance. This report receiv-
ed the sanction Of the government, and
Congress made annual appropriations
TO carry il into effect. The apl ropria-
tions, which were at first general'-as
before the war-"were, in 1921 made
for specific works and the system there
by came under the close supervision cf
Congress. No new work could thence.
forth be commenced ill plans made by
the board Of Engineers and approv-
ed by the Chief Engineer and Sec'ry Of
War were submitted to, and approved
by both branches Of Congress.
TS.iE therefore is the system tha, has
been pursued" since 1916, viz
sis, A general report pointing out all
the positions which, IN the whole fu-
ture Of the country, would probably
require defense, with estimates more
or less approximating 10 the truth as
regarded cost garrisons and arma-
ments;
End. Specific studies Of localities, by
special boards, with detailed plans and
estimates;
Sd. Tho approval Of the same by tile
Chief Engineer and Secretary OF
War and,
4. The approval Of the military commit
tees Of congress and an express law
authorizing their construction.
In class A are the old works existing
at the close of the last war with
England" II contains "For,y two
works defending twenty four different
points" 'Of these, OILY thirty works,
defending sixteen different points lave
been touched" The old works were
generally found SO inadequate that
boards have recommended and Con-
gress sanctioned at every one Of the
points already begun, new works.
Class b contains works begun under
the new system and deemed OF the first
in por,ance. They "provide for defense
at POSITIONS where old works, if they ex-
isted have not been repaired-as Mar
raganse,t Roads, Hampton Roads, Beau
fort Harbor N. c.; entrance into Mobile
bay; or at points where old works
though repaired were entirely made
quate - as Boston, the approaches TO
New York, Cape Fear river Savannah
Pensacola and the approaches to New
York, Cape Fear river. Savannah river,
Pensacola and the approaches to New
Orleans" All these works are nearly
ready for armament.
ain class G ten works have been
quite recently begun-seven since lsi3.
They provide defense for the Penobscot
river, an important avenue leading TO
several large places and TO projected
system OF railroads connecting Maine
with the British provinces (; for Cum
berland Sound, Ga, on the flank Of the
Gulf Stream, and in the track Of an i'm.
mense navigation passing from the Cult
to :he north and to Europe; for Key
Yves, and Garden Key-emphatical the
keys Of the Gulf, and destined to control
it's commerce, in any contest with
great Naval power Deleware river,
the approaches to Baltimore Hampton
Roads ; Charleston Harbor and Mobile
Bay"
"Thus along our immense Atlantic
coast of over two thousand miles" only
eighteen points have yet been touched
in our system OF national defense, and
on the Cult with a coast line OF 1000
miles only five points. They are indeed
points Of vital importance" embracing
our largest cities, our best harbors and
our national establishments.
The expenditures have been
I. For repairing and renewing works Of
elias. A, .bou, $500, 10000