The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-28
WASHINGTON.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON. Oct. 81. 1879.
OUR SEA COAST DEFENcEs--ANNUAL REPORT or
GENERAL WRIGHT, CHIEF OF THE ENGINEER
CORPS.
General Wright Chief of Engineers of the army,
has just completed his annual report 1t shows that
during the past fiscal year the work upon our sea
coast defences has been limited. in accordance with
the terms of the act OF March %, 1879. General
Wright says
These works are subject more than any other ma
uonal structures, with the exception, perhaps, OF
lighthouses to the destructive and deteroratng eff
fects OF the and the amount heretofore appro-
priated Tor their protection has proved nsuiclent
many necessary orders of repair and protection
remaining unexecuted at the close OF the fiscal
year for want or funds. No progress
whatever has been made for several Years past
i'll the construction of new or the modification OF
our old works. built before the inventions of mod
ordnance and armorec ships, for want OF appro-
priations therefor, and beg renew the remarks
and the recommendations of the last annual report
from this department in relation thereto.
portion Of the last annual report is quoted.
which says:-
ginning without delay. The disasters OF the first
three months OF u under the present conditions
OF our defences might cost the nation tenfold the
expenditure that would be needed to thoroughly
protect coast against an attack. Our great cities
New York. Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco
New Orleans, Baltimore and Washing ion-should
they fall into the hands Of an enemy. would suffer
ten times more than the cost Of all the forts neces-
sary to secure them against such q disaster.
During the past fiscal year plans have been pre-
pared for the modification and completion Of two
more important casemated works for the defence OF
the southern approach by to the harbor and city
of Now York, and Fort Wool designed to command
the entrance to Hampton Roads and defend the pas
from the to the city Of Norfolk and its navy
yard. These works, with the three important
mated works especially mentioned in last years re-
port-namely Fort Schuyler commanding the East
aud city Of New York; the work designed
to replace old Fort Lafayette, at the Narrows
entrance to New York Harbor, and Fort
Carroll. which commands tho approach from the
sea to the city Of Baltimore await appropriations
for their construction These plans provide tor the
mounting of the heaviest of modern rifed guns and
for resisting the pro]ectiles of cannon of the inn
mense calibres possessed by nearly every mari
time navy of Europe. Plans for similar modiica-
tons of the important Of the other casenated
defences of our harbors will be made rapidly
practicable In the meantime 1t is recommended
that appropriations DO made by Congress for the
works mentioned and for the earthworks recently
designed for many of harbors; for mounting
heavy rihed guns and mortars, which have been
alreadily partially constructed or OF which the plans
synopsis of the reports OF the naval of1cers In
charge.
In conclusion General Wright says:-
1t is certain that in present condition injuries
to citizens abroad and insults to flag would
not be resented with that vgor and promptitude de-
manded by the dignity and honor OF the nation and
which would be justified by a knowledge that our
fine harbors, important navy yards, rich commercial
cities and departments tor military and naval stores
being guarded by impregnable fortitcations
and distractions, and in earnestly urging the i'm
portance OF early and reasonable appropriations for
our sea coast defences l cannot do better than to
quote the language Of my distinguished predecessor
his letter to the Military Committee OF the House
of Representatives.
especial attention Is invited to the estimate of
100000 tor providing torpedoes or submarine mines
to be stored in tortihcations, from which they
will be planted in time Of in the channels and
fair ways Of our harbors.'