New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-11-24
OUR COAST DEFENSES.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR
Observation-Disclosures IMPROVEMENTS
II OUR LAND DEFENsEs-IAPoRTANCE OF
ToRPEDOEs AS AN ADJUNCT TO OUR DE-
FENSfvE SYSTEM.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.-The Board of En-
gineers Fortcations which, during the past year.
has made q series Of experiments with modern pro-
jectes upon iron shields and earth and SAND paIapes
under direction OF the Engineer Department with the
sanction of the Secretary Of War; has submitted to the
War Department the results both OF their own expert
ens ard those of foreign Governments in the form VI
n definite system for strengthening harbor defcnses
The most important recommendations the following:
First: Arranging, whenever the site will permit,
cbeaply constructed barbette batteries with wooden
platform for guns, and with only breasthigh walls
Second: The use OF barbette g,m-carriages which
the parape loading The present system of barbee
mounting does not permit OF the protection OF Sunhfs
by earth parapets when batteries low and can bo
closely approached In serving heavy guns the danger
is increased with gaesriase IKE inc MSntei u,
coatt artillery may be made practicable
Third More general use % morrs OF rge he GER
patton OF roalstedds az an anchorage lt IL beHNed
that they may be made efficient agent OF the de're
of harbcr hannels against rocads the decks OF which
are the most vulnerable points Sailors, also, are more
AFRAID of mortar shells than other projectiIcs Tie diff
cnltv of hitting the object is noted, but it is believed
that most ship channels can be so covered as 70
them exceedingly dangerous and that the more terrible
effect successful shot will compensate for the inferior
FonrE The great value of torpedoes the most import
ant of the recent devices in defensive maritime warfare
ia treated of at length This device was hst practically
applied during the Crimean war, and Its forndaDle
merit was established during the Rebellion in 1852 The
Rebels IN the last four he o ReSe III one % vessels Were de-
strOyed and nine badly injured
The Secretary of the Navy says:
DTorpedoes proved destructive to our naval yes
ses than all other combined. Their real or sup
posed existence in any waters had moreover powerful
moral effect both the officers and men OF our attacking
squadrons."
The report says that torpedoes though far
than any other accessory 10 harbOr defense can be NOR
promptly rGproyised provided an expert body Of men IS
available to amply and manage tGcm uud though h"'
aces sury shore batteries which lsot 1t thcri, t'y
ar, perhaps quite formidable opponents to hJai!e
fleet a. the battery Itself The Board suggests t The
Engineer Battalion 10 the only lit agent for expert
mentally developing the system and furnish the per-
sonnet to apply it to actual defense, and recommends
that this duty be under the direction Of the Board as
signed to IL.
Firm: The great Importance Of dcylsing and having
ready the means Ostructn channels, to render
them impossible, is urged substitution OF armOred Tor
wooden vessels makes the development OF this method
of defense exceedingly desirable The tendency OF modern
warfare to become sudden, sharI. and brief, makes
it necessary that distractions be prepared beforehand
for use In emergency, whenever materials are nos at
hand for their ready construction. -, ,.., .,
SiIth: What has formerly been urged, DOM Tor ana
against floating batteries, Is now nopportune; III war
ships were as vulnerable as formerly nOGe
ny prevent the passing Of hostile vessels which accept
ss o. 11s oan ana eobns
the powers OF battery and ram may DE very valuable
accessory: ossn on the hoss Of The Eau. end
West Banks would be In themselves exceedingly ormid
able to a hostile fleet approaching New York, as the
fleet must extend itself In single double file to make
it, way from sandy Hook through the Narrows. They
would be equally more formidable 20 the same fleet
assembled in Lower Bay while making preparations
for an attack ii may I've necessary 10 make good de-
tense TO have their aid in all important harbOrs.
: Serenh: Those batteries however, perfectly con
struced OF no avail against ronclad ships, unless
armed with the most powerful artillery. This has always
insisted ON by the Engineer Corps and 15nch and
2Onch guns the result OF the efforts Of the Ordnance
Department to meet these demands. The Prussans
using long gun OF krupps, equivalent TO our 2oiuch
gum for the defense Of the Port OF Kie and the desra
bleness OF such guns for such purposes is dsputaDe
The modification Of the casemaed forts is not included
in the preceding recommendations because 50 far fro
experiments as far az known In different countries no
satisfactory shield for the front OF the caemae mas !e
been devised. The principal experiments made 'i"s IA,
TO determine proper easemate sheid' 'a
at Forts Monroe and Delaware, eS'apN,nou |
tbe fact that the masonry ahoiuou summons