The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-16
WHAT SHALL BE DOME ABOUT 1T !?

OF Mexico and the great lakes, Is OF such vast ex-
tent that for many years TO come large annual ex-
pendirures must continue to be made and many
new defensive works erected before all of its rivers
and harbors can be pronounced perfectly safe from
hostile attack In time Of war. Fortunately begin
ming has already been effected, and considerable
progress made in the work Of putting principal
seaports in q state OF defence. In the present
critical state OF relations with. England-the
greatest naval Power OF the world, trustworty In
teligence respecting the cond ton OF the fortdca
tons al these points becomes Of great importance,
not only to their immediate residents, but
to the country at large. The latest
Information accessible Is contained in the
annual official report of Major General Humphreys,
Chief Engineer OF the Army, which was communl-
Gated to the OF Congress at the beginning
vi the present session. and passing through the
press at the Government Printing Office in city.
That portion of Tire report which Is devoted to the
subject OF coast deiences occupies so UGH space
that IN order 10 lay 1t before the readers OF the
HERALD 1t has been necessary 10 bring it into some
what brleler compass. In doing this, however, care
has been taken 10 retain all that really interesting
and essential TO q full comprehension OF the subject.
The repor5 opens wlta an acoounS OF the conclu.
lions which have been relched, from experiments
made since the war, both at home and abroad, re-
spectng the proper principles OF construction Of de-
iensive works.
The introduction OF new system was rendered
necessary by the Increased OF ordnance now used
on shlpboard aud the general adoption of lron-cad
vessels by all the prominent marIlme Powers
The principal points may be summed briefly up
rs follows-First, conf ming the new constructions
to powerful oarbette batteries in earth and sand,
thoroughly protected by traverses and parados, and
modifying existing barbette batteries as to bring
them 10 the necessary standard OF strength and
eniciency second to substitute las far as practi-
cable) depressing gun carriages for those that ex-
pose the armament and cannonlers above the para
pei; third, to make liberal OF heavy mOrtars;
fourth, to employ torpedoes as accessories in the
defence Of The channel ways and approaches to the
harbors; 6ith to use INSTRUCTIONS and floating bal
teTes to retain the enemy before the guns OF the lit
tOral batteries; and sixth, to use In the batteries
the most powerful guns of modern ordnance.
CAsEMATED WORKS.
In the preceding no reference has been made to
casemaed fortlfi cations and there Is present
Attention on the part Oh the Engineer Department
70 recommend either the modification OF existing
classmates or the construction OF new works OF this
kind But II IS important that some guns at each
O great harbors be protected by casemate cover
Of some KIND. 10 learn what maritime countries
extent to winch iron had been Introduced into their
sea.coast delences, Colonels Barnard ana wright
sent abroad last year, ana Their report. now In
press. contains valuable Information.
The use Of torpedoes anu OF distractions In the
channels leading to seaports Will be ndispensa-
BILE IN conflict with maritime Power Of any prom
inence; but they cannot be successfully moored OF
managed without an intimate knowledge OF the
direction and velocity OF the udal currents peculiar
10 the localities These considerations have lee
during the past year 10 series OF examinations II
our principal harbors upon the velocity ana direc
ton OF the currents. Torpedo experiments hav
also been carried on, under General Abbott, at VIII
let's poiat. n; y, ana considerable advance made
IN the knowledge OF the methods OF firing them ant
pOwd er under water.
sEA-CoAsT MORTAR BATTERIES.
The fire from mertars is an important part OF th'
defence OF our harbors against iron-cads. The ap
prOprIa lions OF 1870 and 1871 Tor the construction
mortar batteries amounted to s175, 600 which 1t Il
designed to expend upon the important ports o
Portland, Boston, New YORK, Philadelphia and Sal
Francisco, as folOws:-
Portland ................. m0rtars 5000
Boston ...:............... IA mortars. $1,000
New York. ............... 40 mortars. so 00
Pnliauelpnla ............. mortarI 2l00
San Francisco ........... rs m0rtars So 00
Projects for the construction OF these batteries
nave been prepared and the work commenced a
some points. A luriner appropriation OF 100000 Ii
recommended Tor next year.
FCRTIFICATIONS ON THE EASTERN COAST.
lin charge OF Lieutenant Colonel J O. Duane, Corps
OF Engineers-)
FORT kNOx.-ThiS WORK, situated on the NarrOws
OF the PenoDscot River, opposite Bucxsport Is now
nearly completed, no appropriation beng at pres
barbete batteries of heavy guns, and is designed to
protect the city OF Bangor and other towns upon
the Penobscot and to render the a secure har
ern sea coast.
FoRT PoPdAM-This work defends the entrance
through the mouth OF the kennebec River, TO the
rich valley OF TINS river, the cities oil Bath
and Augusta and the United states Arsenal
NJ the latter place. IL has been finished upon
Ats fronts to the level OF the barbette batteries.
The prolectg for its completion have not YET been
prepared. NO Appropriation has peen made Tor It
for several years past, and none Is now asked
FORT GoRGES Is situated on Hog Island ledge, and
u one oil series designed TO defend the harDor and
cnanneis OF lne important strategic position occu-
pied by the city q portland. Fifteen thousand dol
lars was expendei last year In building magazines
entrance. A further appropriation OF $4,000 is
necessary Tor its completion (Which, 1t Is believed,
hscal year, and to place Its bareette ornament In
position.
NEW FORT PREBLE, PORTLAND HARBoR.-Under
the plans prepared for the completion OF this fort
iaoor was commenced n August, 1870. During the
present year 1t expected tnat the work and ad-
Joining the old redoub, together with the exterior
OF the south battery, VIII be completed. Four new
traverses Will be constructed and positions made
ready Tor nine additional guns. Amount OF appro.
prlallon requisite for neat fiscal year $50 600.
FORT sCAMMEt, PORTLAND HARBoR, occupies q
most importans situation, commanding four OF the
principal channels. The work OF renovating 1t was
commenced in August, 1871. During the present
year the great magazine most OF the parados and
the new arcne3 IN the west bastion viii be built for
which an appropriation OF slo,, Is asked.
NEW WORK AT PORTLAND HrAD.-lt Is designed
10 occupy THIS commanding position by barDette
battery OF thlrty-lour guns OF heaviest cabre, so
mel OF the harbor VIII DC oy some or all or its
guns, and an enemy's feet prevented from taking
up positioh ochiuu buns > isltnl IRON winch 10
lombard Portland or shell the shipping In the har
Dor. IL Is important TO the safety VI the city and
harbor that such iorlircaon, exterior TO the pres
ent defensive works, should be commenced at once
and Tor this purpose an appropriation OF 30, 900 4
recommended.
FORT McCLARY, PORTSMOUTH HARBdR, N. H.
This work is located on Klttery Point, Name anu
In conjunction with Fort Constitution, opposite
forms the only defence to the mouth OF tn,
Ptscataqua River anu TO the Navy Yard at kittery
TWAS commenced soon after the close OF the re
beilon, but, owing TO the adoption OF the new SIS
tenn. It's plan Will have 10 undergo certain nodifi
cations. No outlay was made for It's improvement
during the past year, but an appropriation Q
$4,000 Is now called for.
FORT CONsTITUTIoN.-Thts Is q casemated fort on
the old plan, situated nearly opposite the pre-
ceding No appropriation Is asked for the mex
bscal year,
DRFENcHs OF BOSTON HARBoR
lin charge OF Colonel II. w. Benham, Corps OF En-
Qineers).