New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-30
GENERAL WASHINGTON NE VS..
A DEFENCELEsS REPUBLIC.

NoN-wHAT THE EXPERTS OF TIE ARMY AD-
vIsE-HOw EASILY TIE RoDMAN CANNON COULD
UTILIZED.
rrRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF rRIBuSE.l
WASHINGTON. Jan. 29.-The annual report OF the
Chief of Engineers for 1878 contains the following
paragraph
The disasters OF the first three months OF war nm
der the present condition OF our defence might cost The
Nation enod the expenditure that would be needed 10
thoroughly protect our coast against ATTACK our great
cities York Philadephia Boston San flamenco ,S
fall into the hands OF an enemy woud suier zen times
them against such disaster; but such reverses would
also be great csanes to TO the Nation GRIPPING It's
war power.
To illustrate the meaning Of the term "the pres
ent condition of our defence" the condition of the
defensive works about New-York Harbor, they
are described in the report of the Chief of Engineers
for 1879 may be taken for example. Of Fort Schuy
ler the report says,
This is mpartGnt work for the defence OF the en-
trance TO the harbor OF Newfork CITY through tue hast
the ordinary care Of the prcpery mas been POSSIBLE bns
urgently requires attention The remodeling Of the bar
bette tier according plans approved by the Secretary
modern guns has been mainly finished. but was sud.
denly stopped by the failure OF the ana
weather This fact and the vast importance OF the work
the defence of Harbor renders on approprl-
alton specially needed
| OF the fort at Willet's Point the report saysi
This untes with Fort Schuyler II the defence Of
the to as harSPr d 0T p
in preparing THIS important position i9T use S ~ % I
Hell Gate cham eli rapidly improving, and the city
tending along the East River the prepa alton OF strong
defensive line for excluding hostile fleet with certainty
from these waters is matter OF the very nrst npor-
tance.
OF the Governors Island defence the report Says
No operations have been in progress during The year
except some slight repairs TO the buildings and store
rooms Owing to the want Of funds the exterior heavy
batteries are as yet unfinished
Ill Io.xI tod 20 hNfu
fair condition. heavy modern gun battery, de-
signed by the Board of Engineers for Fortfc atoms
is partly built, and its completion would finish all
that is planned for this island. or Fort Hamilton
and the additional batteries upon the Long Island
side of the Narrows Of New-York Harbor the report
| says;
For want of funds operations OF Importance have
taken place here during the past year. aud the WORK Is
nv in the condition ut the date OF the
previous report For necessary repairs and the
ocSoPGsnce With plans designed by the Board OF
Engineers Fortifcaons, and approved by the sece
tary OF appropriation for the next nsca year Is
recommended.
OfFort Lafayette the following remarks are made:
This old work. situated shoal at the Narrows' en-
fence Of New.York Harbor 1t was injured by IRE IN
December 1868. to such degree as 70 make ~ praeu
outlay and as II was adapted TO guns OF sma caDte
only t was thought worth while TO restore IT, but 10
Tepisce IL by new construction which should meet the
| demands Of modtrn armaments. project for case
Ors a for Sef9 e esmed Of
which is 1884 212. which shall admit OF the mounting
cnens OF the old work is utilized in this project for
bonbproof qaar,es etc. TSn @ tne re-
several years in building ana should be undertaken
| 10 asked for next year.
OF the works on the site Of Fort Tompkins,
| Staten Island, the report states pithily:
| When completed It win be able to throw heavy fire
from mandng position upon vessels attempting 70
| he
| receive the armament for some years. For want OF
aa resrced TO repairs OF tue earthwork
damaged by TO cutting the grass on tue slopes
dga,ns running to the liver feparns fences roofs
OF smith shop and stables, Keeping supply OF wafer IN
No be carried during the present hsca
| year for want OF funds.
| OF all the smaller batteries and works around
New York the sano state OF incompieteness Is an
| uounced.
THE FORTS BEHIND THE TINES.
| No stems have been taken for many years to re-
model the seaport defences of this country to keep
mace with the progress In the arts OF war; and the
works on which the sole reliance OF this country
for defence would necessarily be placed In the event
| of war with great naval power. would be
ouickIy powdered to dust by the heavy of that
power, while the vessels upon which the guns were
| placed would remain far beyond the reach OF any
artillery with which the American seacoast defences
| are now provided lhe enormous incIedso III pouo-
tratiye power which results from the substitution
| of rHed canon for smooth-bores renders the ma
sonry of the best and strongest OF the present sea-
coast Notifications of the United States little better
| than walls of pasteboard
| At the same time, the greater range winch
modern artillery takes makes necessary the equip
| ment of American coast Notifications with guns
| mucb larger in size and weight than can be ope-
| rated In the classmates provided for them.
The Board of Engineers for Fortifcations has per
fected plans for the reconstruction of some OF the
most important of American harbor defences, limit
ing its recommendations to those works which
seemed to be of absolute and immediate Importance.
| 1t is a matter Of constant surprise to engineer
officers that Congress should manifest willingness
to grant all the liberal estimates made for the I'M
proyement of the navigation Of brooklets and mill
| nonds while urgent recommendations looking 70
fhe protection Of the National commercial life should
be unheeded.
| CONVERSION or RoDMANs INTO RIFLES.
| In the matter of heavy ordnance similar or per-
hans worse condition of affairs exists. AT the be-
shining of the war for the Union. this country, In
| ,be oninon of ordnance authorities, was unQues-
t,onabv in advance Of all Others in the science OF
| tho construction OF heavy ordnance Since peace
| was declared however, no progress has been made
| and very little has been attempted. while European
nations have expended hundreds Of millions IN ex-
| rer;ments. and have reached results which render
practically useless anything in the nature OF artil
erv or armorod defensive works which antedate the
| war.
The limited States is however, now in asinpulariy
fortunate situation to take advantage Oh hnRnsn
ond German experience of gunnery, and to build
| xxI. unOO