Morning journal and courier., 1880-11-25
Long Island Sound.

Our Sen Coast and HarbOr Defences- Suggestive Facts on the Subject-An Important Letter from Colonel Barlow, of the United States Engineer Corps New Haven Harbor.
 The following letter from Colonel Barlow, of the United States Engineer Corps, to Cap tain Charles H. Townsend of this city, is in answer to inquiries in regard to the sea coast defences of Long Island Sound and our har- bor. and speaks for itself:
 Long Island Sound, being the eastern en- trance to New York, has nothing to prevent it's being entered by fleet of ironclads in case of war with a powerful foe, and eml- nent authorities hold that there should be at once heavy Notifications erected at New Lon don and on the island at the east end of the Sound, maintaining that the old proverb is a sound maxim, viz '1n time of peace pre- pare for war.''
 NEW LONDON, Conn, Nov. 9, 1880. CaptGin c. H. Tooonse7ad, Neao HG0en,
 Dear sir-In reply to your inquiries re- specting the present defensive condition or New Haven harbor, take pleasure 1n pre- senting the following statement:
 The only defensive work now existing for the protection of the city of New Haven from attack by an enemy's fleet approaching by way of Long Island Sound is the enclosed battery known as Fort Hale.
 This work, built about the close of the late war, was not designed to be permanent, but was hurriedIy constructed to meet a supposed emergency. Much of the material IS Of perishable nature and in consequence the whole work has become greatly deterlorated.
 To render it serviceable for guns of even moderate calibre, extensive repairs and modl- fcations are necessary, involving consider able time and expense.
 The location, though important for an auxiliary work, is so near the city that unless the fort were armed with guns of the great est range and power an enemy could safely Lombard the city from an anchorage beyond the reach of it's effective fire.
 Should war be declared with 8 powerful maritime nation, and should it be the policy of that nation to assemble it's ships Of war in Long Island Sound it is evident that rich and populous city like New Haven would of fer a tempting opportunity for the cupld1ty of it's cruisers Fort Hale being greatly di- lapidated and without armament, there is at present absolutely nothing to prevent an enc my from laying the city under contribution. The improvements made in the harbor and those contemplated will soon render access to the wharves of the city by the boats of an enterprising enemy no difficult matter The city's valuable stores of merchandise, it's pub lie and private buildings, and it's vast treas ures of learning and art, would be again at the mercy of the enemy, as happened one hundred years ago.
 To render New Haven reasonably secure against a naval attack, heavy modern guns should be mounted behind parapets suitable to protect them from the fire of an enemy's shipping. These guns should, in range and penetrating power, at least equal those like ly to be brought to bear upon them. Their positions should be as far removed as possi- ble from the city, and in addition system of torpedoes should be employed.
 The Notifications designed to contain and protect these guns, and sthe appliances for controlling and exploding torpedoes, should be of a permanent character and could not be constructed at moments notice. Time is necessary to prepare and put together the materials, and moro time is needed to allow them to become solidifed and capable of sus- taining their full resistance. It is believed that a thorough defensive condition of all the sea-board cities of 8 country would in many instances prevent hostilities, when an incomplete state of defense might offer to an interruptions enemy an invitation to declare war Very truly yours,
 J. W. BARLOW,
 Mai. of Eng's.