Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-11-29

Ing June 20, 1851.
Fort Gorges, Portland Harbor, Maine, in
charge of Lieut.. Col. G. Z. Blunt, Corps of
Engineer. This casemated work, COM
menced in 1857, is one Of the series Of forts
designed to defend the harbor and channels
leading into the harbor Of the important STRAIT
eyic position occupied by the city Of Portland.
Its construction was suspended for want Of
funds in 1876, and the work is in an incom-
plete condition.
The long suspension of operations causing
deterioration, the working plant must be re-
newed when work is resumed.
No appropriation having been made, no
work was done at this fertilization
during the last fiscal year beyond its
protection, PR servation, and repair. a.
far as vas possible with the general sp-
preparation made for this purpose, and
no other work Is contemplated during
the current fiscal year for the same
Appropriation asked for next fiscal year, $4,000 90
Fort Preble. Portland Harbor, Maine, in
charge Of Lieut.. Col. c. Z. Blunt, Corps of
Engineers This work occupies such posi-
ton that three-fourths of its guns command
the two principal channels entering the harbor
Of Portland.
The original work on this site was built in
1908. The new earthern batteries with par
ados and traverse magazines, which have
been partially executed, are in an incomplete
condition and suffering from exposure.
The condition of the works is unchanged
from the close of the last fiscal year.
The derricks and other working machinery
have so deteriorated during the long suspen-
sion that considerable expense must be in
Cured in their renewal, and the sum asked
for to complete the work is therefore $1,000
greater than last year.
M .rrronriafion having been made no
work was done at this fertilization
during the last fiscal year beyond its
protection, preserv alton, and repair, as
far as was possible with the general ap-
preparation made for this purpose, and
no other work Is contemplated during
the current fiscal year for the same
reason -
Appropriation asked for next fiscal year, $4,000 90
Fort SCANNED, Portland, Maine, in charge
of Lieut.. Col. G.. +. Blunt, Corps of En-
gineers This work, commenced in lS4l, &C.
cupies a very important position in the har-
Dor. and commands four of the channels
leading into it. 1t is an enclosed work with
detached masonery bastions and heavy earth
ern batteries.
Plans for its modification and for additional
earthern batteries have been prepared by the
Board of Engineers for Notifications and
approved by the Secretary of War. They
are only partially executed, and the work is
in an incomplete condition.
No appropriation having been made. no
work was done at this fertilization dur
ing the last fiscal year beyond its pro-
teotion preserv alton, and repair, as far
as possible with the general appro
priaton made for this purpose. and no
other work Is contemplated during the
current fiscal year for the same reason
Appropriation asked for next fiscal year, s0O0OO 300
Battery on Portland Head, Portland Har-
bor Maine in charge of Lieut.. Col {. +.
Blunt. Corps of Engineers. This modern
earthwork, commenced in 1873, will, when
cover by its guns all the APP
proaches to the main channel leading into the
harbor and will prevent by its fire an en-
emy's fleet from taking up unopposed posi-
ton behind Bangs Island from which to
lombard Portland or shell the shipping in
the harbor.
The work remains in the incomplete condi-
ton reported at the close of the last fiscal
year.
For the construction of the operating
room and gallery for torpedo cables and for
work on the battery itself, an ap-
preparation of $50, 900 is asked
No appropriation having been made, no
work was done at this fertilization during
the last fiscal year beyond its protec-
ton, preservation, and repair. as far as
possible with the general apprOpri-
alton made for this purpose, and no
other work is contemplated during the
current fiscal wear for the same reason
Appropriation asked for next fiscal year, $4,000 90
Batteries on Cow Island, approaches to the
harbor of Portland, Maine. The objects of
these earthworks is, with batteries designed
to be placed on Great Hog Island, to prevent
an enemy's occupation of Casco Bay and to
guard the passages from it TO Portland Har-
Dor.
Plans for the instruction of batteries for
the heaviest guns on this island have been
prepared by the Board of Engineers for For
tifications, and it is proposed to commence
work upon them as soon as the funds are
available.
No appropriation for their construction has yet been
Appropriation asked for next fiscal year, $4,000 90
Batteries on Great Hog Island, approaches
to the harbor of Portland, Maine. The OBJ
jjects of these earthworks is, with batteries
designed to be placed on Cow Island, to pre-
vent an enemy's occupation of Casco Bay,
and to guard the passages from it to Portland
Harbor.
Plans for the construction of batteries for
the heaviest guns on this island have been
prepared by the Board of Engineers for For
tifcations, and it is proposed to commence
work upon them as soon as funds are avail
able.
No appropriation for their construction has yet been
made
Appropriation asked for next fiscal year. &5oOO0.OO
In time of war the above mentioned fortifca-
tons constitute our sole defense against the
incursions of foreign foe, our sole protec-
ton from any hostile fleet that may reach our
shores. And what is thier condition? The above
extract tells us. Fort Knox, calculated to be
a bulwark against invasion of the Penobscot
valley. commenced in ls43, is. after lapse
of nearly thirty-eight years, still in an un-
completed condition. Fort Popham, the sole
defense Of the Capital, and the great COM
mercial interests of the Kennebec cities
which was commenced nearly quarter of a
century ago, would not Withstand an attack
of modern artillery for three minutes. and in
its uncompleted condition is rather an invita-
ton than menace to an invader. In Port
land harbor, Fort Gorges has since 1876, been
suffering from inactivity and insufficient APP
Fort Preble, is in the same
deplorable condition. Fort Scanned, one of
the most important Of our harbor fortifica-
tons, is incomplete and rapidly deteriorating
by reason of insufficient appropriations. The