The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-24
FORTS AT ESQUIMALT.
A New Gibraltar to Command
American Mediterranean.
MORE GUNS POINTED At US.
Mssstfme Coagress Refuses 90 Protect
Wsshisssea's shores or Even Give
fert Orchard Deeest Apprspristien. :

vIcrosfA. Feb. e. fspeciall - On
THURSDAY. March l, force OF up Yards of
sixty marine arsillerymen. with I'D Royal
engineers and 100 or more civilian artisans.
VII! commences the Compromised fortif-
cation OF EsquImait harbor. under the
general direction of Maj. Muirhsad. r e,
one OF the most valued and efficient ex-
pests OF the British var department Al
ready the coast territory from Macau!ay
point barracks (at the entrance Of Victoria
hasoofp to the head Of Esquimast lagoon.
distance OF -four miles or more, la. been
surveyed and resurveyed, and ., intervals
squads OF uniformed men have for weeks
past been busy With the work of prepare
ton tor the important operations TO come.
These. u Is expected. will consume two
entire years and involve an expenditure OF
millions Of pounds sieriing Great Britain
ut the expiration Of the psriod possessing
In fortined EsquimAlr the key and
command of the Northwest Pacific
coast. including Puget sound. The work
viii be carried TO completion with all the
secrecy characteristics Of military under
takings. and no one will be permitted to
remain employed in any one section suf-
neientiy long to master Its mysteries-that
- - sA0 ppNOxtbs kuOWs Vi
As moderuity will be the keysto Of the
completed safeguard Of the North Pacific
squadron, those who expect to see in Fort
EsQuinfast structures of massive masonry
pierced by frewnins ioopholes. the popu-
lar conception of fort, will be sadly dis
appointed. There will be little to
SHOW for the time and money expended
and the scientific knowledge brought To
ktxs . Aa 49,
Esquimalt and Victoria harbors. as q
glance at the map will show, are situated
at the extreme southeast corner of Van
couver island. and are divided by small
peninsula: this ID il that is to be made
impregnabie 10 attack from the sea, and
practically 30 from the land, which grad
ualiy slopes upward from ii to the Sooke
and other hill ranges of Vancouver island.
The Notifications are projected TO extend
from Point Macauiay all the way to the
head Of Esquimait harbor, literally en-
circling the latter, its naval yard, imperial
dry dock, magazines and storehouses
The buildings which the public will see
and recognize as the forts will be very
frail and unimportant structures. intended
simply TO do barrack and kindred duty
during times Of peace. The real
earth, from which, should . hostile feet
pass up the Straits of Fuca. will rise the
massive guns which have been designed
to destroy the enemies of England. The
elevator principle 10 the one adopted, be-.
ing especially adaptable to the natural
conditions of the ground. At intervals
not made known, tremendous wells are
built, in which will operate by hydraulic
pressure and electricity, the military pro-
totypes Of modern lifts" bringing with
them from the solid ground their batteries
Of artillery and the crews to operate them,
and sinking with men and guns back into
the earth as soon as the latter have been
fired.
1t 10 said that the plans call for more
than twenty Of these great elevator wells
so placed that their batteries, visible only
during the moment required TO sight and
fire the guns. will command every mile of
water inside Race rocks. the extreme point
of the island. In simultaneously firing all
the ordnance of the forts not more than
loo men need be ever so indirectly exposed
in the whole four miles or more forming
the line of defense fire. A system Of great
tunnels viii connect the pits, and maya
zines, etc, will also be underground and
beyond the danger of damage from shell or
solid projectile.
Were the Notifications to stop here
with the sea at command of the guns of
Fort Esquimalt-but half the purpose
would be accomplished. This is not TO be,
for IN such an event 10 would be quite
within the range OF possibility for an
active enemy to land men and light ar
tiliery at Sooke, or some other convenient
harbor on the unprotected island coast
between Race rocks and Cape Carmanah,
and surprise the garrison from the rear or
land side. To meet this point two or
more parapet forts are To be placed in the
hills, just where is known only to the war
Office and its sphynx-like attaches. When
all is done Cronstadt will, If expectations
are realized become simply an illustration
of the Notifications of other days-Esqui-
malt being the realization of twentieth
century science, guided by experience in
matters military.
Extending far out into the Straits and
protecting the entrance to both Esquimalt
and Victoria harbors there will he laid q
network of wires connecting marine mines
OF destruction which. on a button being
touched, may be trusted To work the
destruction Of any man-of-gr or mer-
chairman venturing within their fateful
neighborhood. What guns will form the
equipment of the modern forts; what
mysterious properties are to be combined
in the cement used in the building of the
bomb proof structures above ground, and
which Is said 10 be better than steel OF
stone, what men will garrison the strong
hold all remain for the future 20 disclose.
The fertilization Of Esquimalt will he
promptly followed by the construction
OF less important but still extensive works
at or near Sansimo, the coal supply thus
being brought under protection and con-
troll. To complete the preparations for
defense thus being made In times of pro-
fonndest peace the British Columbia civil
ian soldiery is 10 be-and Is being-ma1e
stronger and more efficient than ever. A
handsome new drill hall has just been built
for the four local companies of garrison
artillery. and the battalion under Col.
Prior's command Is being recruited and
brought TO state of efficiency that will soon
place il second to no military force In
Canada
The REGIsTRArIoN.
Closed ss Nidnigh, with 1889 Names