The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-29
PUGET SOUND FORTS.
New York "Sun" Calls Attention
to Needed Coast Defenses.
THE NAVY WAS READY FOR WAR.
Preparations for Offensive Operations
Two Million Dollars Expended.

WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. 25.-lSpecial. +
The New York Sun has a long editorial
this morning upon the defense of Puget
sound and the work Senator Squire is do
ing as chairman of the coast defense COM
mittee to secure the proper fortifcations.
The following extracts are taken from the
article:
The memorial which has been presented to
congress by the Port Townsend Chamber OF
Commerce on the subject OF coast protection de-
serves careful study. Probably no body OF
water in this country of equal extent and i'm
portance could be defended so easily and az such
little cost as Puget sound. Al Point Wilson,
Admiralty head and Marrowstone point are bold
headlsnds, now owned wholly or in part By
the government These three points, at
the very entrance to the Sound, form
the angles OF a nearly equilsteral triangle,
having sides only about three and half miles
long The memorial notes that an imaginary
line drawn from Point Wilson 10 Admiralty
head marks the boundary between Puget sound
and the Straits of Fuca, and line nearly three
miles long drawn perpendicular 20 this line at
its center intersects Marrowstone point Every
vessel that enters Puget sound must pass these
three points, save that light-draught craft
might venture the hazardous run through De-
ception pass.
it would undoubtedly be practicable TO station
the cost OF constructing and maintaining them
would be much greater than that of providing
forts. That ii would be impossible FOR hostile
feet to run the gauntlet OF the cross-fre from
Point Wilson and Admiralty head, and the front
fire from MarrowstoRe point is clear from the
testimony OF the most expert military author
tiles On this point is may be well to quote the
evidence of General Miles, given to the Senate
military committee in the last congress-:
ship coming in would be under the fire OF
rifed guns from these bluffs when 1t got at
least within eight miles, and 1t would be under
FIRE until fl got eight miles inside; that is, I'M
der the IRE OF heavy rifed guns, 20 fleet would
be under fire from sixteen to eighteen mikes
and from the mortar batteries they would De
under fire from six miles out until they got ak
miles iusides. a range of twelve miles Besides
that, II you choose to anchor floating battery
in the center you could do so, and possibly you
might conneet the two by system OF torpedoes,
but the difficulty about using torpedoes there
would be the depth OF the water.
As to the value Of the region demanding pro-
lection there can be question. The eight
counties bordering upon the waters of the
Sound and interested in the proposed line of
Notifications contain half the wealth OF the
state OF Washington, and include, besides
Olympia, which is the state capital, Seattle, Ia
coma, Port Townsend and Everett. Several
railroads are found there, notably the Northern
Pacific. A government drydock Is also under
construction, and that increases the need OF de-
Tending the approaches.
The commerce of Puget sound is exceedingly
important the records of the custom house at
Port Townsend showing last year OF American
vessels alone 1,S06 clearances for foreign ports,
beside the movement of about 175 foreign ves-
sells and also of more than 300 American vessels
in coastwise trade. The value OF the exports
alone shown at Port Townsend was S, ~, l76.
The products and industries of the state include
wheat, hops. iron, timber, valuable fisheries and
coal. To an enemy the coal supply OF Puget sound
would be particularly important, and not less
essential would it be 70 our own vessels in case
Of war. Still another fact OF importance is the
proximity OF Puget sound waters to EsQuimalt,
on Vancouver island, most important British
naval station. The growing value of Alaska
gives additional strategic consequence to Puget
sound. II may be fairly presumed, therefore,
that when the coast defense needs of the coun-
try come up before congress for consideration,
the Puget sound region viii command proper
share OF attention.