Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-06-28
The Pacific Coast Defenses.

On this subject the National Mtc1igcnccr
has the following just and timely remarks:
81 he critical state of our foreign affairs.
during the recent Mason and Sidell ilnbroglio
and the unprotected condition of our Pacific
coast, have naturally attracted the attention
not only of the inhabitants of that border, but
of the country generally.
| England has possession of British Coum-
bia on the North, with rs fine harbors as there
are in the world, on the great waters of Puget
Sound. France has "quasi" possession of
the Sandwich Islands, which will be made
absolute whenever her interests require it.,
showing clearly, we think, the necessity of
Cove rnlncnt at once providing this unprotect.
cd coast with an efficient mode of defense !;
and that mole, it strikes us, is found in one
or two iron war vessels and tho new iron
forts just brought to the notice of the military
authorities, and which it appears to us, arc
destined to be adopted to great extent, if not
wholly, hereafter as land dcfrnses for our
coasts and harbors. The great distance tina,
iron has to be shipped, the length of time tha;
must necessarily clapsc before an iron-clad
steamer c:n be built and commissioned, and
the urgency of the object, call on the Govern
ment for prompt action. That vessel, or
number of them, as the line Of coast and the
importance and value Ct the places to be pro-
tccted may demand, must be built in some of
the Pacific ports. must be apparent to every
rejecting mind, us the danger 10 such vessels
of total loss on the voyage around Cape Horn
is imminent, added to which the great length
of time necessarily consumed in performing
it, renders it incxpedient to construct them in
any of the Atlantic ports.
A recent conversation with gentlemen from
California has impressed us with the import
ance of this matter and OccasiOned these re-
marks. 1t is to be hoped, therefore that the
Government will give early consideration to
subject of such moment. One or both Of
the two great naval powers Of Europe may
very soon have their material on the way to
the Pacific with which to construct such al,
iron.clad vessel; and it has been clearly DEM
onstrated that one such vessel, properly coll
structcd, could destroy any feet Of wooden
Ships We may have there, and lay in ashes or
occupy all the cities OH that coast and the in
land waters tlereabouts.
We observe that it has been acknowledged
in the English House of Lords that our block
ade is entirely efficient, pronouncing it tho
most extensive and effective that has ever
been established by any nation.
One year since We had, in effect, no navy
at this day, through the energy Of the Ex-
ecutive-that is the Navy Department-we
have what is fast coming to be acknowledged
at home and abroad one Of the most powerful
and efficient navies in tho world
| We have been waiting with great deal Of
anxiety to hear of something in this direction
being done. The loyalty Of California was
not doubted, anu now since Oregon has spoken
so emphutically for the Union, We hope that
our Atlantic brethren will not look upon Us
Of too little consequence to be worthy Of some
outlay to prepare US for successful action in
ease tho Government should be menaccd in
this quarter. Beside We have another and
a tender impulse which warns US into urgent
solicitation for an ample means Of defense in
case of its need; our families and fre-sides.
without which life were an unwe!comc boon.
are comparatively insecure from tho horrors
which the chances Of an invasive foe might
subject them to, and we ask and will ever
pray for means to render them secure.-Re-
publican