, 1888-07-19
Fortifeations Upon Puget Sound,

Al last bne report relative 10 1Oftl-
fications upon Puget Sound, called
for by a resolution of the senats
passed some time ago, has made its
appearances. 1t is accompanied by a
letter from Gen. Duane, chief of the
corps of engineers, which discusses
the proposition in an intelligent man
ner and is worthy of consideration
at the hands of the people of Wash
ington territory. Gen. Duane says:
THE fortifcation of the waters Of
northwest Washington territory as
sumes dlfferint phases according as
a naval station with yards and docks
be there established or not, and if SO
established, the details of that fort1-
fication will be influenced by the To-
cation of the station, and IN so far
cannot be determined until the site
Is desided upon. The naval station
aside, there are now points OF COM
mercial Importance upon the waters
of Puget Sound to be defended, and
these points viii increase in number
and importance. In advance of de-
cision by proper authority as to the
location of the naval station. it can
only be said here that it will simpli-
fy the question TO have it so located
that the defense of the cities and
towns on the Sound will also defend
the station. This is stated not as
deterdining the question, but as one
item worthy Of consideration in that
decision. Not only the location of
the station, but the Importance which
it shall have and the strength of the
naval establishment connected there
with and related thereto have infiu-
euce on the Notifications of these
waters.
'sThe entrance to Admiralty inlet
is some sevepty-fve miles from the
ocean, most of the distance being
through a strait twelve miles and
less III width, the entrance of which
is more than $50 miles from the
mouth of the Columbia, the nearest
harbor of refuge for large vessels
exterior to the Strait of Juan de
Fuca in our territorf. Great Brit
ain maintains naval establishment
at Esvuimalt, on Vancouver's island,
and naval force in the waters near,
and under present conditions this
force would prevail over any which
we could spare to OPPOSE it in that
region
The discussion of this fortiica-
ton naturally covers the extrene
conditions of no naval establishment
or force on our side, and of strong
naval station, with force sufficient
to prevail over any 10 which it may
probably be opposed in thuse waters.
In case We possess a naval strength,
the question narrows down to the
protection of the towns and cities, to
prevent destruction of property
therein; for unless orr naval forces
can prevail over that of the enemy.
no commerce will seek onr ports
through such long and narrow pas
sages to The sea. Should emergen
cy arise the most practicable course
would be to erect earthen batteries
for the defense of Seattle and the
Narrows, as this won d provide
defense In the least time.
Fortifications at these points would
be of valae, too, as forming the sec
ond line to more elaborate system
'As the interests concerned in
crease In extent their protection
should not be limited to this second
line, but In addition a first or princi
pal line should be occupied furthel
put. The power of the ordinance
and the perfection of the appliance,
IF the present day permit the occu-
patton OF the headlands, Admiralty
lead, Point Wilson, and Marrow
stone Point as such first line, and th,
occupation of both nrst and secon,
ines should be held in view for th,
lme when the extent OF the interest
% be protected requires it, and other
considerations permit.
The naval station aside, then, the |
of defense would be th. |
.or'ifiea;iou of the second linz note,
he occupation of whien would l.
'peclaily applicable to emergency |
md OF the first line in addition, when