Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-01-31


an ia take into consideration the various 7
rejects for the defence of the Delaware \
iyer having examined and weighed the
contained in the papers laid a
,efore them by the House Committee on $
Military Affairs, respectfully report
We find by House bill No. 1856 that
PROVISION is made for the completion and
armament of Forts Milfiin and Delaware,
As well as an application of 5000, 900
for new fort opposite Fort Delaware,
for the purpose Of defending the entrance
to the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal.
The Importance of this navigation will be |
appreciated only when the mouths OF the
Delaware and Chesapeake bays may he
closed by blockading feet.
In addition we find bill before the
Committee on Military Affairs for the
better defence of the city of Philadelphia,
which provides for the construction, arma-
mcnt and supply of a suitable number OF
iron clad steam batteries, and approprl-
ates for the same the sum of 81 ,20O,0 900.
1t further provides for the construction OF
suitable Notifications for the harbor of
refuge made by the Delaware Bay, for
which $l50,000 is asked
Fort Delaware is situated in the channel
of the Delaware river, about 200 yards
from either shore, and four miles and
eighty.three hundredths from Newcastle,
Delaware 1t is fitted for one hundred
and thirty.ive guns of large calibre, and
has complete command of the channel by
a mking fire, to the extreme range OF the
Guns The channel on the Jersey side d
the fort has about forty feet Of water
while that on the Delaware side is about
twenty-five feet, both running close under
the walls of the fort. This is a mistake
The channel Of the river runs close TO th'
Delaware shore ON the Jersey side. B
sinking temporary distractions in thes
channels in such position as to detain
: shin under the concentrated fire of th
fort, it is believed that Fort Delaware i
conjunction with the new fort on the neli
{ ware shore, would be sufficient to preyer
=. the passage of any hostile fleet
The present armament of the fort
e very insufficient; it lilly proyisioned, an
almost without n garrison The san
6 may also be said of Fort Mililn, situate
l. few miles helow the city Of Philadelphia
= fort capable OF mounting fifty seven gn
T. en- bar5efte, Fort Delaware being cas-
Vt mated fort
.e We therefore urgently recommend tn
,f immediate steps be- taken for placing t
,r forts already built in state of eflicien
=, in guns, men and provisions
:. The most important point is the dclen
VI of the harbor formed by the Delawa
'h Breakwater, built by the United Stat
u government, AT great expense. The strl
y ture is simply sca-wall of three -lourt
n of mile in length fanked by an il
breaker one-fourth OF mile long Wi
to in this harbor large numbers of vess
in take refuge, wind-bound, or await
he sailing instructions through Philadelpl
by telegraph. There have been count
ia as many as one hundred and sevel
Wv vessels lying at anchor ut one time in I
10 harbor. The general average is fr
'o thirty to forty. AT present this harbol
NJ, wholly undefended A privateer CO.
aIu run in with impunity and capture or d
troy those vessels which are constaI
ess seeking shelter, or hostile feet co
Mr.. the passage of the river against all ingl
lis or egress Of our commerce. The inn
,ct. lance of erecting strong fOrtiiication
the defence of this point cannot for Il
.a1 ment be doubted, and il has already
~ tracted the attention Of the engineer
AZ" department. Gen Totten, under date
ID Jan. ID, says "'rhe construction of $
col able works Of defence for the harbol
refuge made by the Delaware Breakw;
nit in Delaware Bay is fully approved by
IAN department. The sum of Sl50000
ure. suitable and moderate amount to be
the propriated, as soon as possible, for
q IN commencement of such defences,"
anu As this harbor is no longer of II
A. local interest, but has become of i'm
~, tance to the commerce of New \
: ne Boston, and the entire northern sea bo
rive as well MS to Philadelphia, it is beli'
he there will be no serious objection on
rt of part of the House TO granting the ne
sary appropriations for its defence,
hor- bill for that purpose be presented a
nm. and on its own merits, But if eou
c;no with the bill providing for the const
ton of steam or floating defences
os system rs yet cXperimentaI,) its sue
- ~ may be endangered We would ther,
nu"' recommend that the necessary apprO
~ 1"- tion of $3.50, 600 be asked for us an am
Mr. ment to House bill No. 1866, and that
the appropriations for the floating batteri,
to- made distinct bill, and be referred t,
IN Of Committee on Naval Affairs.
GER In conclusion, We would ask the co
ainly co-operation of The delegation, FFT'
here the immediate arming and proyisioni
or of Forts Delaware and Nliflin, and in fur
loro ing them with all necessary lmniiiol
,,s, war for defence, and with ample garri
'"''' Second, 10 urge appropriations by
gress for, and the energetic action {
ilary, engineer department, in the erectit
llt II the new works at the mouth Of the
ware Canal aud al the Breakwater. z
'iness leave it to those who may deem a s.
le ad- of floating deiences desirable to su
next. the bill which may be reported prov
nbers for the iron-clad steam batteries,
until All of which is respectfully suhu
r.s by the committee.
WILLIAM MoRRIs DAVIS, Charm
- -4sase