Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-24

Chile would be of immense benefit to the
navy of the United States, as that would
come SO prominently into view. Other Off
GERS also think that the result would be
beneficial to this country.
An officer remarked that there was not
the proper respect for the American flag
among foreign nations and that they must
be made to respect it and its loyal de-
tenders But time will tell what shall be
done, and all wait for that.
In the meantime, preparations are going
on al the navy yard here to put the vessels
in condition to meet an emergency. The
dynamite cruiser Vesuvius is in the dry
dock having her fighting tower protected
with. chain armor. This arrangement will
afford an effective shield to those inside
from the shot of the rapid-tiring guns; a
ClanainC shot would bound off, although
shot striking the tower full in the face
might pierce the armor
Protected Like She Kearsarge.
In this to wer are the levers for discharg
ing the dynamite guns The chain which is
being used belongs to the vessel; it is hung
around the turret and will be interlaced.
This was the way the Kearsarge was pro-
tected in her fight with the Alabama, in
July, 1864. When fitted the chain will be
taken down to be put up again if needed
Some time ago the ship was examined with
reference to putting some additional plates
on the hull TO protect the vital parts The
report, however, has not been approved as
vet. No other work is being done on the
ship. Some valves for her dynamite guns
are being made, but these could be nut in
place when the vessel is in another place.
But it is not at all likely that the Vesu-
vius Will be sent to Chile She is not of a
construction 10 withstand the heavy weather
TO be expected near Cape Horn, nor is it
probable that she could carry coal enough
to steam the long distances. She probably
would be kept an the home coast, for pur-
poses OF defense, especially against the Cap
tain Pratt, II that vessel should come here.
De ense of the Maritime Cities.
The defense of the maritime cities of this
country In ease of an attack from hostile
feet Is subject of great importance, not
only 10 these cities, but to the country at
large, since there is hardly town or hamlet |
In the United States that would not be at |
fected IN some detrimental way were the |
ports OF entry Of the country or any of the |
most important ones to be closed for any |
length OF time, as would be the case were |
an enemy TO succeed in capturing one or
more of them Their capture IL br
no means the only thing to be followed |
nor perhaps 1t is the worst. With the
modern artillery with which the vessels of
most OF the European navies are eouipped.
II would be possible for the ships to lie off
Rockaway beach and drop shells into the
heart OF New York City, not to speak of
Brooklyn, which is a mile or two nearer
and this with the hostile fleet bevond the
reach of the guns Of Fort wadsworth and
Hamilton. In TACT, the harbor and citr of
New York are utterly defenseless. This
condition OF affairs was recognized bv tbe 4
War Department ten years ago and sts,,v.i
were taken to remedy the condition Of af-
fairs.
Defenses of New York and BROOKLYN.
The Brooklyn Standard Union reviews
b at has been done TO strengthen the de-
ssonses OF Brooklyn and New York, as fol-
,,ews: |
The first thing 10 be done was to find ont
best mode of defending the harbor and
IN this end corps of engineers under
toeneral John Newton, who gained a great
Geal Of fame through his engineering opera.
dions in the blowing up of He'll Gate, was