Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-30

On the other hand, the assumption should not
effective at short range against unarmored or
light armored ships. At many sites, also, they
are of indispensable value as citadels or keeps
to secure the position against attacks by land,
and as thanking works for torpedo lines Some
idea of the wonderful change in guns since
weights of the projectiles, which during this
period. have increased about twenty-fold. This
increase in power of guns necessitates the use
of large masses of armOr in important parts of the
defensive works and largely increases their cost
compared with the old works. 1t is of no ad-
vantage to conceal the fact that the ports along
our sea coast area length of about 4, 600 miles,
not including Alaska-invite naval attack; nor
that our richest ports from their greater depth of
ef eapacty to adm h, the largest ana
most detenseless. The property at stake ex-
posed to easy capture and destruction would
lions which could be levied by a hostile fleet
upon our sea-ports should be reckoned at
hundreds of millions.
THE PORTS TO BE PROTECTED.
The objects TO be secured by defense of the
coasts are the important commercial ports. YES
sells in the foreign trade, which should find for
titled harbors of refuge, and the vessels en-
ployed in the coasting trade. The ports named
where Notifications or other defenses are most
urgently needed are as follows: New York, San
Francisco, Boston, the lake ports, Hampton
Roads, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Washing
ton, Baltimore, Portland, Me-, and Rhode Island
ports in Narragansett bay. Sixteen additional
places are mentioned where detenSeS should be
provided.
FIXED AND FLOATING DEFENsEs.
The defenses, as to character and kind with
reference to armament, the board says, should
be fixed and floating, one or both, according to
locality, armed with powerful cannon needed
to repel attack from the most formidable ships.
In the phrase floating deienses" just used, the
armored sea-going ship of the navy is not re-
ferred to. We have none of that kind, and If
hereafter built in sufficient number and power
thew wOnl0 q
to the defense OF ports. The floating defenses
mea.a floating batteries designed specially for
mored more heavily and armed with heavier
guns than any probable adversary. OF consid-
erably less draught than the armored sea-gOing
ship they could, by operating among the shoals,
avoid rammins, and even torpedoes. To gain
such advantages speed must be sacrificed, but
1t is quite evident that for the defense of har-
ness OF armor and of superior power of gun
more than compensate for that loss. These
batteries are costly, and their use should be re-
Stricted to cases OF necessity; as, for instance,
where the port is SO near to deep water that a
bombardment may not otherwise be prevented;
also in localities where the nature of the foun-
datiOns fOrbids the construction OF fixed de-
lenses, or where the width of the channel is too
great to be well swept from shore batteries.
THE SHORE BATTERIES
may be armored turrets revolving or fixed,
armored classmates, and emplacements in bar
bette. The materials used in construction for
the latest experiments indicate the superiority
OF forged steel plates. While the board is of
opinion that forged steel plates should be used,
it also recommends that immediate expert
ments be undertaken to determine the most
suitable armOr for turretS and classmates.
Earthen parapets and traverses, sometimes ar
ranged with a core of concrete rubble ma
sonry to gain resistance to shot, are generally
used for barbette batteries. 1t is not generally
considered possible to bar the progress of an
armored fleet by the mere fire of the battery;
some obstruction sufficient to arrest the ships
within effective range of the guns is necessary.
The kind of obstruction now relied upon is the
torpedo in the form of a submarine mine, and
except In special cases exploded by electric cur
rents, which are so managed that the operator
on shore can either ignite the mine under the
ships bottom or allow the ship to explode it by
contact. In deep channels the submarine
mines are buOyant; in comparatively shallow
waters they are placed upon the bottom; the
approach the hull of the vessel. submarine
mines are not accessories of the defense, but
are essential features, whenever they can be
applied. Bomb-proof operating rooms and
tunnels for the conveyance into the water Of
the electric cables are necessary parts of the
system, and must be constructed in advance Of
the occasion for their use. Special batteries OF
guns are instituted for the defense of the lines
OF mines against the attempt Of unarmored or
light armored boats to countermine or grapple
for their attachments. These guns may be ar
ranged with electrical connections SO as to be
discharged by the very attempt to NEEDLE with
the system. Electric search lights, movable
tOrpedOes, torpedo boats and rapid firing guns
are mentioned as necessary for a complete de-
tense. The board recommends steel in prefer
ence to iron for the manufacture of guns.
TORPEDOEs AS MEANS OF DEFENSE.
Among the most important means of conduct
ing an active defense of the coast is the torpedo
boat, which, although recently developed, has
received the sanction of the nations of Europe.
each one of which now possesses a large num-
Der OF these vessels. Their use will be quite
general, first, in disturbing blockades and
these from hainW mazda
fleet would like TO lie 0Cer night within striking
distance of a station of these boats; second, in
attacking an enemy's ship enveloped in fog
or smoke; third, in relieving a vessel pursued
by the enemy; fourth, in defending the mines
by night and day against attempts at counter
mining, and in many other ways not necessary
to recapitulate. Impressed with the utility Of
this mode OF defense, the board has recon-
mended the construction of SO of these boats
and desires further to say than in its opinion
this service requires a special corps of officers
and men from the navy trained to their USE
The self.moving torpedo, one example being
The spar torpedo might be used from launches
but as in general this service would be of the
nature Of a forlorn hope, and liable to fail of
success, its principal recommendation would be
ease of imprOvising and the absence OF
other suitable means to the end. Submarine
boats have not passed the experimental stage,
and the board has at present no recommends
ton to make in their regard. Aerial tOrpedOes
with large charges of high explosives projected
in curved vertical fire, while they demand
consideration, have not yet arrived at a stage
OF development demanding practical discus
sion.
The report urges an appropriation of 81 ,OOO,-
900 by Congress for the erection OF gun foun-
dry.
The estimates for the land defenses, arma-
ment, floating batteries, submarine Mines tor
pedo boats at the twelve ports above mentioned
amount to $1O2.97O,45O. For the additional
eleven ports about $25, 900, 900 is estimat edfor.
The board, as stated in THE STAR, recommends
an appropriation of S21 ,5OO,OOO for the first
year, and annual appropriations thereafter of
$9,OOO,OO until the works recommended are
completed.
A COllegian Would Have KNOWN.
From the Pittsburg Chronicle Telegraph.
ut is easy to see that this preacher is not
college graduate" remarked the sporting
editor.
what preacher" asked the horse editor.
"a man in New York. He preached sermon
from Where Are the Miner"
"HOw does that show he Is not q college grad.
uate?"
why, a college graduate would have the po-
sition Of every baseball club in the country right
at his finger ends"
He Spoke From Experience
From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
"Well, we are penniless, or mighty near it." he
said, as he reached home and threw the even