The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-14
THE CITY'S DEFENSES.
ENGINEERS PREPARING PLANS
FOR NEW FOR1IFICATIONS.

Gen. Abbott, Gen. Comstock and Coils.
Houston and Gillespie Inspect Fort
Pulaski and the Government Reser-
walton on Tybee-They Take Pass
ang Glimpse of Fort Oglethorpe-The
Harbor's Defenses as They Now tx
ist-The Probable Character of the
New Defenses.
Gen. Henry L. Abbot, president; Gen.
Cyrus B. Comstock, Col. David C. Houston.
Col George L. Gillespie, members Of the
board of engineers OF the United States
army, accompanied by Capt o. ID. Carter
and Lieut.. Thomas h. Rees, made a trip
down the river yesterday for the purpose
of inspecting Forts Oglethorpe ana Pu-
1ask and Tybee Island, as explained in
Tuesdays MORNING News.
The officers landed at but two places,
Fort Pulaski and Tybee Island. At the
former place they saw many vivid remind
ers of the bombardmeutof 1862. and noticed
with what apparent ease the walls of what
was considered an impregnable fortress
were, just thirty years ago, preached by
riled guns stationed on Tybee Island, some
OF them being nearly mile distant.
! As the fort is now. in no better condition
30 withstand an attack than 1t was in 1850,
ghis fact coupled with the dismounted guns,
the water battery rapidly going to decay,
the neglected appearance Of the fort inside
and out, and its solitary garrison of one
sergeant, must have impressed the officers
with Sevannah's inability to successfully
repulse the attacks of hostile fleet.
VIEW OF TYBEE ROADS.
The officers landed at Tybea Island
climbed to the top of the tower and from
there obtained magnificent view Of the
roads and the approaches TO the harbor.
Many years ago the late Gen. O. A. Gill
more, foreseeing the Importance of Tybee
Island as a site for a tort. recommended the
extreme end be purchased by the United
States. This was done. He foreSaw then
that the rapid change in the weapons Of
warfare would pecessitate more advanced
post than Fort Pulaski for heavy guns for
the purpose Of defending the entrance to
Tybee roads. This point is especially de-
Sirable for a mortar battery, inasmuch as
from there the whole Of the roads can be
covered. IL is a good place for garrison,
for the reason that it is mostly all high land.
khickly covered with brush, with plenty Of
pure air and coed water With a slight
expenditure II money perfect drainage
could be secured and the place made per-
fectly healthy. The members OF the board
uOClCCu AL Lnebb lebluTeb.
A GLIMPSE OF OGLETHoRPE.
On the return trip they took passing
glance Of Fort Oglethorpe, but did not land.
1t is thought that this fort will not figure
In any recommendation the board may
make in regard to the defense Of Savannah,
it being too far from the sea. The work
itself does not look very formidable, though
the site may be Of some military value A
few guns peer threateningly down, but there
is suspicion that If they were loaded and
fired. more damage would be done on the
inside than on the outside of the structure
The members OF the board did not seem
TO be very communicative during or after
the trip. But from items gathered here
and there, and from a conversation with
Gen. Comstock Monday night it is believed
that the board intends to make plans for
the defense of the city. In 1886 outline
plans were made by the Endicott board on
Notifications or other defenses when the
present system Of defending the coast was
first adopted. These plans were made in
outline only and it is presumed that the
present visit of the board of engineers is
for the purpose of making detailed plans,
which could be carried into execution at an
early date should congress appropriate the
necessary funds.
DEPENDS ON CONGRESS.
AS to what the present congress will do in
regard 20 the passage of appropriation bills
Is purely matter of conjecture; it is i'm
possible to state with anything approaching
certainty when an appropriation for Savan-
nah will be made and work begin, but if
favorable action is taken by the Senate and
House at this session, and the President
would not exercise his veto power, work
could be started within year. What the
character of this work will be it is impossi-
bic TO ascertain, as the officers of the board
did not feel like discussing that phase of
the question. They will make their report
to Gen. Casey, chief OF engineers, who will
undoubtedly approve it and forward it to
public.
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