The New York herald., 1872-11-27


Asmy-Waysa and Means OF Fesista noe to
Hostile Fieets-S0lution OF the Torpedo
and Obstruction ProbIem--A Satisfac-
tory and Assuring Report.
WASHINGTON, Nov. co, 1872.
The Chief Engineer has Submitted his report to
the secretary oi War. The Number of officers
holding commissions in the Corps OF Engineers OF
the United states Army at the end OF the fiscal year
was one hundred and three on the active, and
seven on the retired lst the latter. however, un-
der the law OF January III 1870 not being available
for duty.
In the performance of duties of the corps the
employment of u number OF scientific and civil as
sstants has been necessary. The report mentions
the employment of General J. H. Wilson, o mem
ber of the Board Of Engineers, upon the
Rock Island Rapids and the improvement OF
the Illinois River; and Clarence King geOlOgist, In
charge OF tho Geological Exploration OF the for
tieth parallel Upon application, under the prOvis-
ions oi the act oil June 10, 1872, transfer to the
Corps OF Engineers was made of all the graduates
OF the Military Academy since March, 1860, that
had been recommended by the President OF the
Academic Board for promotion in the Corps OF
Engineers. Upon the subject oil the sea-cOast ana
frontier deicnces the Chel OF Engineers says the
leading object OF TINS department In its operations
| upon the works OF defence has been to push for
| the Old earthen barbette batteries, and the
construction of new and improved batter
|
OF sea-cOast defence adopted since the recent
war; The principles OF these have been stated
IN the reports for two or three years past. They
have met with the approval OF the General OF the
Army and the Executive, and the report states
they need only TO be completed to give our har-
bOrs protection against even the most recently
constructed anu powerful irOn-cad vessels OF the
maritime Powers. Among the appliances for this
defence. 1t will be remembered, are channel OBJ
structions ana system OF tOrpei0es; but these
are accessories, and must themselves be covered
by the fire OF guns In position that commands the
channel. 1t becomes, then, OF primary Importance
that the guns should be so mounted as to be as Sc
cure as 1T is practicable to make them from de-
struction by the enemys fire, delivered from iron
clad vessels OF great strength and resistance. The
most complete protection would inevitably be
gained by placing the guns in a casemate in
which security Is furnished from projectlles
coming from the front, the tanks and overhead ;
but as yet, within the limits OF reasonable cost, we
have not devised structure OF this character. BY
the use, however, OF high sand parapets, behind
which the gun when fired viii descend. and by
covering guns on either side with high traverses,
from direct and slightly curved fire, whether from
the front or flank, and substitutes sand as cheap
material for the costly iron shields and turrets.
1t is absolutely essential, however, that car
riage that shall lower the gun below the parapet
be provided to secure these benefits, and accord
ingly the use OF such carriage was approved
among the rules TO govern the construction Of our
works oil defence. Efforts to secure such car
riage have therefore been continued. The progress
upon the defences OF our harbOrs during the
past year has been in every respect satisfac-
tory. Trials with torpedoes at the school at vii.
ictL'5 PolnL nave progressed WIN very marked
success The Investigations have gone so far as to
enable the department to pronounce upon the
special system which 1t will adopt, and arrange the
details or the parts as. we'll as the methoh. e.
hahahnse ana operating the torpedoes. The total
cost OF the application of this powerful auxiliary
t9 the Qeence Of our coast Will be about two mil
lions. An estimate Is submitted OF 100000 Tor the
torpedo defence OF some OF the most important
harbOrs.
The report is very vouminous. and sets forth in
detail the progress made and anticipated upon the
several works along the coast. Great attention Is
also given to Improvements in river and harbor for
tiacatons and inland defences, &C.