New-York tribune., 1874-11-06
HARBOR DEFENSES.
PROGRESS OF A YEAR.

PROGRESS OF A YEAR
evpoRr OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS - ExPkhi
uvyrs WITH ToRPEDoEs- RIVER AND hAi'Do"
IMPROVEMENTS.
The report of Gen. s. s. Humphreys Oniei
Of Engineers to tie SECRETARY OF War, ccn'sius 'o
lowing in reference to The progress msue y" =.
lncations and mpr ~ ements. and 'ne u'' VI
~ means Of hs-sDr defense:
,ne defense a our harbor from navs as S
atssac,ry and me OF the works Tor Ine OF
S hsrors Of oar principal cities are approaching com
pIeon Ryery step taken IN IA Is in aceosnce
n,,S ,ss general conclusions and principles agreed
upon BY Board q ssf Of EnSpeegs tas Gene
ceivea % ~ irmy and the Executive and which have
repeatedly commented aemsees 81, 20 .ne nssenCs &c
esytrs and anchorages along our coasts but limited
ep Of war o
me entrance the enemy in ironclad vessels carrying
srests covering millions of dollars would be sacrificed
by successful invasion But "a, small number a,tss
NJ newt; that Is planned entirely in accord
ance with the requirements for resisting
handed down former periods when small guns and
wooden ships only were TO be conended with and the
nresent operations at these works CONSIST in enargng
and Strengthening the earthen portions to resist the
6eIvy rfed shot Unlike the ornaments used In them
h,oe% Every work is special one, which must be
adapted 10 the pecuarties OF the site, OF the harbor
defense The preparation OF the plan for each
oures careful surveys and study aud the
time required for construction renders il i'm
peratiye that seacoast works should be planned
and built before the sudden and decisive wars Of modern
times are either imminent or actually in progress The
appropriations for mortar batteries have been judi
cousy distributed for the erection Of these valuable
auxiisres against ironclads in OF principal
bOr aud further appropriation is asked for their con-
fnuance.
at Wles Point for some years past, have developed
of tha
of our harbors, giving us means whereby we hold
and prevent their running past our batteries.
The system consists as all systems for the defense of
ssd bnoyant. EXPLODED either by the medium Of the
contact OF the vessel or by the Judgment of the operator
barring the to harbors To operate this
OF torpedo they must either be seen the must
ness when daring commander would seek to pene-
ate harbor this class of torpedo would be of no avail
such portions Of torpedo apparatus could not,
IN event Of war; be speedily obtained the of
is asked
Trials with explosives have been continued. but
extensively heretofore Rendrock is the only
added TO the list and 1t has shown itself inferior to
dynamite. An old barge, worn out in service, was
data OF value Considering that the subject OF torpedo
de'enses has been sufficiently discussed To justify de-
tailed plans for applying these new engines TO the
closing of our more important harbors, the Board of
Engineers has taken up that subject for careful study
York and Philadelphia cables electrical
apparatus &c. have been already submitted, with
setaied drawings of the latter are in progress.
Other harbOrs will be considered in turn.
system is satisfactory. and that moderate stores for
applying should be collected at the depot at Wiles
Point These stores should be Increased for the present
by large annual appropriations, it is certain that
money devoted 10 for6catOns is more directly applied
be understood that trained soldiers absolutely
in using the mines. and that the number Of
sufficient At least three times many will be needed
for protecting even few Of our more important
harboIs.
RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.
The act making appropriations tor the repair preser
vaon and completion Of certain public works rivers
and harbOrs" approved March 8, 1873 furnished the
for continuing, during the past year, operations
at the several localities named therein, in accordance
with approved projects. The River and Harbor act ap-
proved June 49, 1874 III addition TO making appropra
tons for continuing improvements heretofore begun,
made provision for some new works With the amounts
thus made available, operations have been continued
during the present working season. and the necessary
preliminary steps have been taken Tor the execution OF
the new work specified.
The act further directed that surveys be made and
nended BY the Senate Select Committee on Transporta
ZION Roncs TO the Spaboard upon the f0ur roues ipd
Gated by the report of said committee, and also upon
route Indicated forming an extenon of the Chesapeake
ana Ohio Canal. These surveys been assigned to
officers having charge Of works in the districts through
which the proposed routes of communication
pass. The appropriation was allotted to
these officers in proportion to the extent
ana magnitude of the survey assigned each. Partey
organized and sent into the field at as early da
as possible. and IL is trusted that sutcent data will be
obtained TO enable all the officers submit projects for
the improvements recommended, together with approx
estimates of cost OF each in time TO he submitted
before the close Of the next session or Congress
should be borne in mind, however that, owing 10 the
laenesS of the passage OF the act the season favorable
for active ncld-work was well advanced before the
parties could commence operations.
The examinations or surveys directed to be made at
certain specified localities named in the second section
OF the Of June 49, 1874 In process OF execu
on expected that reports upon the greater por
ton OF these Will be received in time for transmission
during the approaching session of Congress
Tue third section OF the made provision for the
rganziOn Of board OF engineers aud directed that
said Board shall make survey Of the mouth OF the
Mississippi River, with view to determine the best
method OF obtaining and maintaining depth OF
water sufficient for the purposes OF commerce,
either by canal from said river 10 the
waters the Gulf by deepening one or more Of the
natural outlets of said river, &c. The Board was con-
sntuted by General Orders No "a OF the War Depart
ent dated july 2, 1874, aud OF the section was
ance Of the The Board is engaged In the
prosecution Of the duties assigned, aud will doubtless
be able comply with the requirement OF the law as
10 the time OF submitting the report.
In accordance with the requirements OF the act ap-
yed June 22 1874 TO provide for the appointment
Sf commission of engineers 10 investigate and report
permanent plan for the reclamation OF the aliuval
basin OF Missssipp River subject 10 nundatOu, a
Board Of Commissioners was constituted by General
Orders No. 70 Of the War Department OF July 2 1874
Tue Board has been organized, and the members are
actively engaged iu making the Investigations
necessary TO full understanding and proper
presentation OF the matter under consideration.
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