Connecticut western news., 1884-10-08
OFFENCES OF CANTON.
How the Port Is Protected Against m At-
 tack of the French.

A correspondent sends the following: '1n view of the present uncertainty as to what will be the next point of attack by the French fleet, it may not be out of place to consider what constitute the defences of Canton, which as a commer- cial center is one of the most important points in China. Though a port to which large steamers may have access, it is not situated directly upon the sea- coast, but about seventy miles above the chain of islands that cover the mouth of the Pearl River. About midway, where the river narrows to about two miles in width, the defences commence. This point is called, upon the European charts, the Boca Tigris, and the adia- cent forts are known as the Bogue forts. These forts, or, properly speaking, heavy water batteries, are seven in num- Der, two of which occupy small islands in the center of the stream, to the east erly of which runs the main channel !; two others are upon the western bank of the river, and the remaining three are located upon the eastern bank. The crest of the hill on Anunghoy Island is occupied by work which constitutes a land fort, or large fortified camp, which has been added to the defences of the point since the attack of the allied fleet in 1858, when the water batteries were rendered ineffective by the landing of party below, which, passing to the rear, attacked them from the hillside above. These water batteries constitute a very formidable obstruction to the entrance of the river, as they are casemated and mount heavy guns of European manu- fecture.
 Certain it is that if the Chinese could but serve their guns as they should be served, the passage through the channel would be impracticable until the forts had been silenced. Unfortunately for them, however, they depend upon the caliber of their guns and the weight of the projectile rather than upon skill in handling for successful resistance of in vasion. Foo-Chow has perhaps demon stated to them, though perhaps too late, the advantage of skill over caliber, and it will be well for them if it has induced them to change their tactics.
 After passing the Bogue forts no fur ther impediment is reached until arriv- ing at Dane's Island, about eighteen or twenty miles beyond. Here the river separates into two channels, one known as the North Reach, or Whampoa Chan nel, and the other as the Back Reach, or Blenheim Passage. Naturally the ghinese have endeayored to establish at Danes Island, which is the key 10 the approach-a defence of both channels of the most formidable and effective character. On the north side of the island barrier of stones has been es- tablished, leaving passage of 50 feet in the mid-channel, which can be closed in few hours by sinking laden junks, which are at hand for that purpose. On Back Reach they have constructed a bridge across the river, with a similar opening of 15O feet, also to be closed upon the approach of hostile fleet. Upon the hills that crown Dane's Island a series of earthworks have been erected, mounting heavy guns, that command both channels with plunging fire from an elevation of over seventy feet. These Notifications are supported by auxiliary batteries upon the main banks of the river on both sides, and here also are es- tablished fortified camps garrisoned by trained soldiers from the northern prov inces.
 After passing Dane's Island Barrier and forts on the North Reach a torpedo bed must be traversed, which success fully accomplished, no other obstacle will be encountered until what are known as the Barrier forts are reached, about eight miles further up the river. These comprise four casemated water batteries, which cover a narrow channel through the old stone barrier, where skillful pilots are required for navigating any except the ightest gunboats. When once clear of this obstruction no further impediment exists to an approach to the city, which would soon be under the command of the guns of a hostile fleet. Upon the Back Reach, after passing the bridge and the covering batteries, no obstacle will be encountered until pass ing Haddington Island, where a narrow channel through the old stone barrier requires a competent pilot and high tide for large vessels. These old bar riers were established to prevent the ap- proach of the allied fleet in 1858. With in five miles of the city there are four old forts which would prove of little effect in averting the advance of fleet able to pass Dane's Island.