The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-25

which Cardinal MANNING and Cardinal
CULLEN have been strenuous promoters.
Tho Fishers Island Maneuvres.
The selection OF Fishers Island and the
adjoining waters as the scene OF tho APP
preaching practice exercises OF Admiral
WALKERS squadron is promising In every
way. Not only Is 1t well suited to fleet
manGuvrcs, target firing with the great
guns and boat drill, but 1t Is one OF the
striking stragetical positions on our porth
Atlantic coast. 1t furnishes the main line
Of defence for Long Island Sound. and. &c
cordingly. for one OF the two approaches by
sea to the city Of New York. Since the New
York battalion OF naval reserves Is to take
part in these evolutions Of the white squad
ron, it is a plain duty to iamiliarize them
also with those important waters.
Fishers Island, at the eastern entrance Of
the Sound, is an irregular, narrow island.
generally parallel to the Connecticut shore.
near by. A line drawn from Watch Hill.
from which 1t is only separated by narrow
channel, and extended through Fishers
Island to Oyster Point on the Long Island
shore, would cross the main entrances to the
Sound, which are seen to be broken by half
dozen islets and rocks. like senttnels along
the line: while between Plum Island and
Oyster Point Is tho channel known as Plum
Gut. The main feature noticed on the
Long Island shore is tho deep inden-
tation OF Gardeners Bay, between Oys-
ter Point and Montauk Point, with Gardi-
ncr's Island midway between tho two
promontorles. The value OF Fishers Island.
Plum Island, and Gardeners Island for de-
fensive works Is manifest. while Gardeners
Bay furnishes fine sheet Of water for the
rendezvous Of n cooperating fleet OF coast
defence armorclads and torpedo boats. In
the open space between Fishers Island and
Plum Island, commanding the Race. which
is the main channel. are two islets called
Gull and Little Gull. the latter the more
northerly. Capt. +. NJ. BuNoE OF the navy
has advocated fortiiying Little Gull as we'll
as Fishers Island. as commanding the prin-
cipal entrance to the Sound.
The Connecticut shore at this point will
cooperate in defending the entrance to the
Sound. While Plum Gut Is narrow chan
mel which could be DISTRACTED by submarine
mines, the channel on the north shore,
called Fishers Island Sound. between that
island and the main land needs to be pro-
tected. The city and harbor OF New
London, near the mouth OF the Thames.
only few miles from the western end Of
Fishers Island should also not be suffered
to fall into the hands OF an enemy. Hence
the Notifications Board more than five years
ago mentioned New London among tho
ports requiring defence. Its plans included
four 12-inch and four 1O-inch guns, mounted
In barbette batteries, series Of submarine
mines. aud eighteen torpedo boats. For
the last item, which properly belongs to
naval defence. nearly half Of the total OF
$2,3O,5OO was asked. AS to the land de-
fences proper, their expense would be about
| equally divided between the new forts and
the guns and carriages provided for them.
| On the loft bank OF the river, opposite New
London, a commanding eminence Is very
favorable to strong works, whose guns
would have under their range not only
| Fishers Island Sound but the Race itself.
and thus eff ..ctively aid In defending the en-.
trance to Long Island Sound. The naval
station on the Thames would be improved
| 80 rs to do its part toward keeping the va
rous floating defences in an efficient state.
1t will accordingly be seen why tho Fish.
er's Island and Gardeners Bay region has
long attracted the attention OF the navy as
one In which it might play an important
part In case OF war with great maritime
power. During the coming manGuvres
there will be plenty of exercises for ships
and boats in the waters between Long
Island and the main shore, and q prominent
feature in the programme will be the joint
landing OF the squadron's brigade and the
naval reserves battalion on Fishers Island,
as If 1t were held by an enemy.
The Fishers Island region will also un.
doubleday, from Its practical Importance, be
selected for future squadron manGuvres. and
all the more since the naval militia is to re-
ceive training with the war ships OF the
home fleet. Next summer, when the Rhode
Island and Connecticut battalions are ready
to take part. they will feel strong interest
In these waters and In those OF Narragan.
set Bay. where also man9uvres may then
be carried out. The addition OF armorclads
and torpedo boats to our coast defence fleet
and the gradual erection Of garrisoned forts
will lend a greater air OF reality to the drill
operations In succeeding years.