The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-18
Rear Admiral Ingle6eld Inspecting
Our Forts and HarbSrs.
England's Preparations for
Possible War.
Opinions of the Officers of Our
Army and Navy.

~ Warrington until quite recently excited little 1T
tentlon m of1ical circles, but AZ 1t Is now known
that since his arrival In this country, six weeks
ago. he has been unusually active. there are
good grounds for saving that his movements nave
eeen directed BY the British Minister under nslruc
lions from the homo government. Real Admiral
Anaaoheld Is ono OF the highest officers In the
British navy. He will soon be promoted to the rank
OF Vice Admiral, and become entitled to o high
command. In the position occupied he
- apparently q mere subordinate, In small
pay, fulfilling the duties heretofore DIS
charged BY a captain Of the royal navy.
Admiral Ingledeld within the past month
has examined int our topedo system the condition
OF our navy. the approaches to New York bay es-
pecialy at Hell Gate, the harbor defences at Port
aand, Portsmouth and Boston, and the entrances 10
New London and Newport. He mas made inquiries
m regard 10 the guns mounted on our Notifications,
ana has also manifested good deal Of anxiety to
ascertain what are the penetrating powers of our
heaviest shot in regard to iron has exhibited
iittle or no interest reference other details
which generally attract the attention Of foreign on
cerA BE also attempted to obtain some insight nro
the army torpedo system at Willetts Point, but the
courtesy extended elsewhere was refused him.
a. the operations are kept far as the gov
ernment can guard them. Having ascertained the
condition OF the coast defences along New England
and New York. and our capacity to build aud re-
pair vessels ut the Portsmouth, Charlestown
and Brooklyn navy yards he was sum-
moned to Washington by Minister Thornton on
the 10th instant, ana on the following day, under
orders proceeded to New Orleans by rail to inspect
the deences Of that city and the approaches to the
mouth of the Mississippi From thence he will
leave for Key West via Havana, visit the Pensacola
Navy Yard, and find out what Is the actual con-
dlli0n OF the southern ports. All this IL the topic
OF conversation among army and naval enacers,
and, as there can be objection 10 the representa-
i've Of nation with which are at peace, avail
ting himself OF the privileges always extended to
proper representatives, one blames Admiral
IDgleed for hts active inquiries. He Is spoken OF
as most agreeable gentleman, OF fine address, and
has had the most extended fields for observation In
Europe, where he acquitted himself with much
honor in prominent service, and Is well known as
inventor and an officer skilled in the construction
OF many valuable machines now In use in the
English navy. tih
This Is the gentleman selected by the British gov.
eminent to report upon the exact condition OF our
means OF defensive warfare. He is one who would
be well adapted to command neet OF vessels on our
coast In time Of war; especially with the knowledge
he Will gain In travelling through our country. Be.
sides these facts which have awakened the atten-
lion Of prominent onicials, the Navy Department Is
advised that at this time flying squadron of the
finest vessels und the command OF Of the best
Admras OF the British navy, is ordered to assemble
at the Azores next summer; and, as an English
naval paper recently remarked, ''they are to be
ready for contingencies In case the black cloud now
rising IN the West should assume greater proper
tions.n The english Ndpal Gazette gives larger
class of both ironc clad and wooden vessels Of light
draught fitting out in England than ever before.
What all these preparations and inspections
mean Is explained by prominent naval oicer, as
only precautionary on the part OF England. in The
event OF any misunderstanding between this
country and Great Britain growing out Of the
claims for Consequential damages. ut viii be
remembered he said, ''that from The moment the
british government learned Of the boarding OF the
Trent and the taking on Of Mason and Slldell until
our government apoiogized and delivered up the
rebel commissioners, there was ceaseless prepare
mons for war. England never waits for an
emergency. She ID always ready, and while
dtplOmatists are rendering professions Of friend
ship and assurances of distinguished consideration,
the Admiralty Board IL engaged in constant To-
crease OF the naval strength and resources OF the
Kingdom. In case OF war with this country the
object OF Great Britain would be 10 enter
our principal ports and bays which are
not fortified, or which could not be
secured by chains, and protected by
torpedoes. They would also aim to OBTAIN pos
session Of the Mississippi River, following our ex-
ample, in this respect. during the rebellion. This
they could do easily than we did. as they are
supplied with class OF iron-cads that can ascend
from the mouth Of the Mississippi to st. Louis
and Cincinnati; such as the Penelope, Palos, Fa-
vorite, Research, Enterprise, Scorpion, wyvern,
Viper, Vixen, Water Witch, Cerebus and perhaps
the Citation. THESE vessels all have heavy guns,
shielded with not less than four and half inches
of iron plating, and draw not over fifteen feet OF
water. Besides these there are from sixty to eighty
light draught vessels which could be brought TO
bear upon the forts Of the Mississippi There also
now In commission, all told, nfty-four heavy iron.
cIads carrying upwards OF 220 guns, from seven
inch rifles up to the twenty-five ton guns carry.
ing O e00-pound shot, Most Of the vessels are capa-
BILE of resisting seven-inch rifle shot mile, and
. large number Of them would resist our fifteen
inch Shots ct short range"
''This," he said, twill give you some idea OF the
condition England is in TO do harm, not 10 men.
ton our naval defences their duapidated condl-
ton. Shc may decliue to ABIDE by the Geneva Ar.
bitration. In that event the only way she could
cover such doubtful position would be to provoke
war; IN the hope OF recovering her warning prestige
py alleging that we had acted IN an undermined
manner In presenting our case with indirect dam
ares included. You may rely upon IL, the mission
Of Rear Admiral ngleheld is something more than
can be dscerned on the surface. The English gov
eminent desires to nave an oflcer to command the
North American station VINO can comprehend the
true condition OF AFFAIRS and who would be so well
Informed that ne could strike Us at the point
where we are the weakest There Is nothing
wrong In this II England anticipates dimcultes
with us In the future for nation has the right 10
avail herself OF all the means at her disposal 10 as
certain the weak points Of possible enemy we
do IL ourselves, and why not the naval attache OF
the British Legationf Our successes during the
war Of the rebellion have taught foreigners what
they can do themselves; for the points that were at
racked by our neets and knocked 10 pieces have
never been repaired, and those In The South are In
the most deplorable condition. With British neet
the southern people aYmpathzinQ with them,