News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-10-30
DEFENCES OF CANTON.
How the Port Ia Protected Against an A
tack of The French.

How the Port ia Protected Against an At
tack of The French.
A correspondent sends the following:
"In view of the present uncertainty as
to what sill be the next point OF attack
by the French feet, 1t may not be out
Of place TO consider what constitute the
defences of Canton, which as CONNER
cial center is one of the most important
points in China. Though port to
which large steamers may have access,
it is not situated directly upon the sea-
coast, hut about seventy miles above the
chain Of islands that cover the mouth OF
the Pearl River. About midway, where
the river narsows to about two miles in
width, the defences commence. This
point Is called, upon the European
charts, the Boca Tigris, and the adis.--
cent forts are known as the Bass6
These forts, or, properly -
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 a work which constitutes
land fort, or large fortified camp, which
has been added to the defences of the
point since the attack Of the allied heet
in 1858, when the water batteries were
rendered ineffective by the landing of a
party below, which. passing to the rear,
attacked them from the hillside above.
These water batteries constitute very
formidable obstruction to the entrance
Of the river, as they are casemated and
mount heavy guns of European manu-
facture.
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 fol-
them, however, they depend upon the
caliber of their guns and the weight o.
the projectile rather than upon skill IL
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, an(
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 Danes Island, about eighteen o.
, twenty miles beyond. Here the rivel
separates into two channels, one know
, as the North Reach, or Whampoa Chan
mel, and the other as the Back Reach
} or Blenheim Passage. Naturally III
/ Chinese have endeavored to establish a
Danes Island, which is the key to tn
approach-a defence of both channel
q of the most formidable and efectiv
character. Ga the north side of th
island O barrier of stones has been e
! tablished, leaving passage OF 5O fe
.s in the mid-channel, which can be cios'
- I'm "A TOW by sinking laden Jim k
Il which are at hand for that purpose. q
q Back Reach they have constructed
bridge across the river, with a simils
opening of $50 feet, also to be close
>, upon the approach of hostile flee
Upon the hills that crown Danes Islan
y q series of earthworks have been erecteC
> mounting heavy guns, that comman
; both channels with plunging fire frol
!, an elevation of over seventy feet. Thet
. Notifications are supported by auxilial
;. batteries upon the main banks OF Il
> river on both sides, and here also are e
- tablished fortified camps garrisoned /
y trained soldiers from the northern pro
inces.
. After passing Danes Island Barrie
. and forts on the North Reach torpeC
/ bed must be traversed, which success
fully accomplished, no other obstac
10 will be encountered until what a
= known as the Barrier forts are reache
u about eight miles further up the rive
10 These comprise four casemated wat
B. batteries, which cover narrow chann
Il through the old stone barrier, whe
ID skillful pilots are required for navigatn
g any except the lightest gunboats. VIII
once clear of this obstruction no furth
impediment exists to an approach to t
city, which would soon be under I
command of the guns of a hostile tiet
d Upon the Back Reach, after passing u
s. bridge and the covering batteries
of obstacle will be encountered until pas
rs ing Haddington Island, where narrc
at channel through the old stone BARR
Id requires competent pilot and MI
go tide for large vessels. These old bt
r. riers were established to prevent the
A proach of the allied fleet in 1858. WI
It in five miles of the city there are 1o
er old forts which would prove OF lit
ur effect in averting the advance OF I'll
x able to pass Danes Island.