New-York daily tribune., 1861-09-13

barbors wero left intact Throughout this war
the Russian works, when fully completed and Of
ADEQUATE strength, fulfilled their mission of pro-
tecting the military and naval depots of the
Empire, its wealth, its commerce, and the ma
tionul honor. All her strongholds on the Baltic
were in turn threatened. Though public opinion
at home was clamOrous that the most powerful
naval armament the world had ever seen, should
perform some glorious exploit corresponding with
it, immense power yet it retired abashed and con-
founded from the colossal batteries of Russia.
If the nations had been advancing in the arts
Of gunnery and naval construction, she proved
10 them that she had outsnpped them in the art Of
fortifcatiOn.
The experiences growing out Of the contact Of
these powers ought not to be lost upon us. The
next war we may have With any European ma.
ton will necessarily be q maritime one. Sea-
ports are reached and attacked with great facility.
France shipped to the Crimea upward OF
800, 900 men and England nearly 100000, all
to be maintained in distant country, furnish
ing comparatively nothing toward their support.
In warlke and naval preparations, the creative
power OF these nations is amazing. They 0re
constantly armed, and their armameDts are
being constantly made more destructive. Should
they assail us, it will be by means OF the iron
plated batteries they used at Sevas;opol. Steam
will brng hher their huge fleets as readily
as it took them there. This city is pre-
elninenty the point at which they will seek
10 strike their heaviest blows. Ii lnadequately
defended, its immense commerce, Its cOncen.
trated wecth its military aud naval RESOURCES,
the lives and properly Of its citizens, will be
at the mercy Of revengcful enemy through
out the whole period of the war. The ques-
ton OF adequate defenses for our barbOr has
been before nearly every Board of Engineers for
forty five years past, bat it is jet conpara-
lively open roadstead. The time has come that
it should be made impassable by the most for
midabe armament. The best authorities assert
that il the approaches by water made im
prcgnable, the city Will be safe, and the late
naval war in tue Crmea confirms the assertion
The great marine highway to the city is
through the Narrows. It's shores being scarcely
inllc apart, present the means Of most
cffrctusl defense Batteries should be 90 planted
along aud within range OF this only channel OF
approach, Us Well as of tboss waters in which
eDcDy must lie. rs to make futile any at
tempt of iron -patej steamers to run the
passage. Steps have been taken to put this point
IN state of defense. But il is held by able
military engineers tEst at least ten new bar-
tcrss will be required that some OF the older
nuss MI. hn el.d nd hu.
81, 600 900 to -, ,000, ,OC0 must be expended be.
fore the water approaches to this city can be
adequately deienled. No ho,tl!e fleet would VEN
ture Ia run the guantlct at such detenscs. E7en
IrOn-clad floating batteries, though driven BY
steam, would give no lmpunty To- the invader,
us they have not yet been shown to be inde-
structlbc. All additions made Of late years to
the size and efficiency Of artillery, inure more TO
the benefit oi the defense than the attack. Ad-
mral Durkorth, IN 1907, undertook to
run the gauntlet OF the Turkish batteries
which lined the Dardauellcs. Though the latter
were very inadequately manned, and though the
British heet was favored with both wind aud
current, aud consumed but few minutes in
escaping, yet out of twelve ships, one was
burned. ten were injured, some being nearly de-
siroycd, aud but two escaped unhurt, while 2Sl
men were killed and wounded, beside $50 who
pershed with the burning ship.
The water approaches being thus protected,
tie enemy would be forced to attempt landing,
and this landing must be- made at az great a
distance as possible. The defense against it must
be made by our troops, with the assistance OF
temporary works and all the energies of engineer.
ing talent and skill Having telegraphs and rail-
roads at command, We could within twenty -four
hours assemble from the interior vast body of
men. But a landing in the face of even such an
army as the city itself always contains, is
dangerous and laborious risk, requiring ample
means and special arrangements. No descent
will be made go long enemy can reach
the city with his fleet, and with that force com
pei it to succumb. Our danger is by water,
not By land. To render us impregnable by sea,
years OF preparation will be required, and large
amounts of money must be expended. We know
that beginning has been made, but it is
beginning only. Our citizens have done well in
urging the attention OF the Government to this
most important work. Though the horizon
shows no cloud at present to give us cause for
immediate alarm, yet no one can say how
suddenly the tempest OF foreign war may come
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