The Portland daily press., 1863-03-03

importance, and he begged to correct such an
impression. He had the best reason to believe
that Portland was receiving large share of
attention, and that nothing short of absolute
impossibilites prevented the works ofstrepgth
in our harbor from being carried forward
with greater rapidity. On his visit to Wash
ington at the suggestion of the city govern
ment awhile ago, he found the Secretary of
War and all others having authority in the
premises, ready to approve and grant all that
he asked for, and to do all that could be done.
He would call upon Capt. Casey, the modest
but accomplished engineer of our fortifica-
tions, to state what the plans Of the govern
ment were, which he was entrusted to see
carried out.
PROPOSED HARBoR DEFENsEs.
Capt. Casey responded to the call of the
Mayor. and the substance Of his statements
we are able to lay before our readers.
Fort Georges, when finished, will have about
100 guns, some of them of the largest capaci-
ty. II can now mount 2S in casemates There
will be two tiers in classmates and one in bar
bette.
Fort Scanned is to have in addition to its
present earthern parapet, three casemated bar
tions, which will mount in classmates 81 guns
of the heaviest ordinance. The Fort when
completed will mount at least 140 guns.
Now Fort Preble will be casemated work
of about 20 guns, nearly enclosing the present
work, and the whole work with the batteries
about IL will mount something like 80 guns.
The three forts when completed and mount
ed with the ordinance now appropriated to
such works, will be able to throw at single
discharge $4,000 pounds Of iron. OF course
these forts are citadels, which will act as main
bodies to the earthworks and advanced bar
bette batteries that would be thrown mp at the
mouths and along the banks Of the channels
leading to the harbor, in case OF attack from a
strong naval power. In the present state of
the works, as they now exist, they are amply
provided with ordinance to defend US against
halfdozen Alabamas, should they attempt to
come in here.
There is suffciency of granite on hand
which has been prepared the past winter,
together with which is being prepared at sew
eral quarries in the State, to carry Fort Gorges
up TO the top of the second tier. The same
preparation of stone has been made at Fort
Scanned, as well as large quantities of brick,
sand and gravel, stored up for use in the early
spring, when large gangs of men will be EN-
ployed on both these works, the necessary APP
preparation having been made for the next
seasons operations. For the forts at this, and
other points in the State which the govern
ment is protecting, some ten different quarries
are engaged in furnishing stone.
Capt. Casey alluded to the quite common
apprehension of danger to the city from an
enemy's vessels lying outside of Bangs Island,
and throwing shells into the city-a fear par
ticipated in by many of our citizens. He did
not apprehend danger from that source, forsev-
eral reasons. Among other reasons for laying
aside all alarm in this regard, he would men
ton that the range is too great; that sufficient
elevation cannot be obtained, and that the
accuracy OF fire at such long range and with
such high elevation would not enable an at
lacking vessel to plant two consecutive shells
within half mile of each other. Besides, if
vesses should be SO close under the shore of
Bangs Island as to be hidden from the guns
of Fort Preble, the high lands upon the island
itself would be bar TO their throwing shells
into the harbor
The visit of Gen. Wool to this city was evil
IDENTIFY attended with much pleasure to him
self, and we are quite sure ii has afforded much
pleasure and satisfaction to our citizens. 1t
has served to exhibit unanimity and depth
of truly patriotic feeling-of unconditional
loyalty to the governwent--most refreshing
TO contemplate.
We were glad to see among the company
that attended the Gen. to the forts, the Eng
lish and French Consuls for this port, both o
whom seemed to enjoy the occasion quite as
much as il they had been bona yjide Yankees
to the manor horn.
The General and suit left by the 2.30 P. NJ.
train on their return westward, whittier the
old hero goes bent only on serving his coun-
try, and upholding the honor of our common
flag.