Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-20
ATLANTIC COAST DEFEN SIC.

ATLANTIC COAST DEFEN Sc.
Gen. Howard Urges o Vigorous Policy and
/ Makes Important Recommendations.
TIE HARBoR OF SAVANNAH SHOULD BE FORTIFIED
| THE CONDITION OF THE ArAcHEs At MT.
VERNON, ALA.--MoRE PAY roR sxRdEASrs--
EXAMINATIONS ron PROMOTION.
Gen. 0. 0. Howard in his annual report
as commander OF Ahe. department of the
east. devotes considerable space to a dis
cussion Of the problem Of the defense Of
the Atlantic coast. Speaking Of the tempo
rary abandonment of the work Of forti-
flying the lake posts he says: ''Our coast defense
toward the high seas being more needed and il
state much further advanced it would be alb
surd to fortify where war is least likely to &C.
cur
| WASHINGTON TO BE- LOOKED AFTER.
In the general plan adopted in 1855 Washing
| ton was to be fortified aftor New York. San
Francisco, Boston and Hampton Road. but, 40
Gen. Howard states, later, however, the de-
! Tense Of Hampton roads has been combined
with that OF Washington, SO that by 1893 some
OF the new guns, it is hoped, will be ready for
mounting and the epaulments for them con-
structed both at Hampton Roads and on the
Potomac below Washington. Philadelphia Bal
timors, Portland and Rhode Island ports will
Doubtless be reached in due time if Congress
continues its yearly appropriations. I WISH
however, in this report to ask attention par
ticuiariy 20 the use OF fortified points as the
bases OF proper defense OF our national inter-
ests IN neIghborlEg seas, as we'll simply q
guard TO the cities behind them, and 1 think
the point of plan and work has been reached
where this should be considered. our chief
cities and the capital being in che way OF q
p'oPe' pro'ision'
ACTION OF GREAT BRITAIN.
''since the commencement of the construc-
ton of our new navy Great britain for tho
nprnose ~ ,rosoru;,,, ~. ;.a.,:
a., Nc 'nnue"ee Al niheri-
IA 1919 Wa LAS strengthened her meet on our
sue " 'ne Auahtlc oy the substitution OF YES
seis OF greater power as each change Of ships on
'n,s Slaion Is made:
sne mas now four harbors-Halifax, Ber-
i iuca kingston and st. Lucia-well fortified or
oeins sItehetnened wen garrlsoned OF being
aus S WITH Geographic cable. These
az % si.uateo along our Atlantic seaboard as
70 give convenient coallng stations for fleets
Hpssiasi,g IN tne north Atlantic and particu-
.aiis Ia 'ne west indian waters. In case OF war
Use t .orIlnea places would give bases from
VIII ..Dn. ~ oPera'e against the oulted States
. BESIDE our own self-protoction we have du-
nee 10 humanity to perform in seeing that civil
I.S; sGverhmeht Is maintained In certain West
stand aside. give nm tbe n,incirios ~ the Ton0
roe doctrine. and permit European powers to
do what is necessary. No American desires the
iaueI. we alse have the Investments of our
peopie ~ s coun!ries WIN unstable governments
N. 30 strnno ~ ~; IT, ;aIS w .n's we suouio
otbor no,ra1 &C., ~ IL -e 80 &C ".y
90 We" p'ep"'e' ~ isiaiu'
WHAT Is NEEDED.
net onlv The ch;,s .nd ,,o.l;,,o $50. hnt
....:e-s, e
1oi"neo hHFo AZ cohVehien' intervals along
GU entire coast.
In tie northern part of my department
there has been provided. &c be completed ac-
cordiIg to annual appropriations, such forth
ted points viz: Boston, New York and lamp
ton Roads. The next point to receive atten-
tion, recommended by the board OF fortifica-
tons Is New Orleans, where there is to be estab-
!ished dry dock ana naval repair station.
New Orleans properly fortified gives us one
strong point on the Gulf Of Mexico. At least
one more such fortified port will eventually
be necessary on the gulf and probably two-say
Galveston and Tampa bay.
But on the Atlantic, south of Hampton
Roads, We are actually defenseless. There are
too many cities on this part of the coast to ex-
pect to fortify them all: but as far south as
possible we should fortify good harbor the
rnarca .nS.naarJ - ~ -. .;ts. W. -
coaling and repair station.
90, .ooo,,a.a A., 49, 49,
r.h;.o-, -. - ,re,l [.,O,S
-0n'Jeu "N' v',s VI i!oee ,'oaos V'a'""nanJ
ana Iort hoyai Sound lEroad river by WORKS
on iFpee, Ahton Head, Parry and ST. Helena
Islands with fixed torpedoes, light-draft gun
boats and torpedo boats as accessories. This
would at once protect the most prosperous city
in our eastern quarters and render safe the best
harbOr south of Hampton Roads and furnish the
naval base desired. The Navy Department has al
ready begun the construction Of dry dock
opposite Port Royal on Parry Island
Having this object in view. 1 recommend
that the necessary land be obtained and, fur
ther. that steel guns be mounted as soon as
practicable in order that the artillery forces
stationed in the south may have practice
ground better than that furnished by the obso-
lete material at Barrancas.
'As soon this harbOr begins to be properly
fortified the artillery regiment stationed in the
south can he gradually transferred to perma-
nent quarters on Parry Island and Fort Nc
Pherson be partially garrisoned by infantry
aud 80 held for refuge tor all troops on the
gulf OF the south Atlantic coast i'll time of cpl
denies. With the present limited number Of
artillery troops believe the manning Of the
defensCs Of New Orleans, Port Royal and Tybee
d ~ NC NJ tun' VIC arny can properly pro-
thh INDIAN fHisoNEhS.