The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-05-17
PUGKr SOUND DKFENsEs.


Arrival Of IN Important Commission OF
Engineers.
The FIVE members of the board OF United
States army engineers on coast defenses
arrived in the city on the steamer Edith
last night in the course of an examination
Of the Puget sound district in preparation
of report ON the best location of coast de-
lenses in these waters. They began their
tour at Tacoma yesterday morning and
will continue it for several days more.
The engineers in the party are: Col q.
H. Mendell, who has charge of the division
Of the Pacific coast, comprising all the
territory west Of the Rocky mountains; Gen.
II. L. Abbott, OF the northeastern division.
embracing the New England and Middle
states; Gen. c. b. Comstock. OF the south
western division, comprising the states be-
tween the Rocky mountains and the Mis-
sissippi river south Of Kansas. also
president Of the Mississippi river commits
sion: Col. III. NJ. Roberts and Col. q. l..
Gillespie, in charge of the defensss OF New
York harbor, Long Island and vicinity.
The board Is accompanied by Capt
Thomas w. Symons. engineer in charge Of
the Coast states, and Lieut.. Taylor.
The visit OF this board to the Sound Is
made in pursuance of the intention TO pre-
pare recommendations to congress for de-
lenses on both the Atlantic and Pacific
coast, the whole board acting together in
the matter. It would have taken up the
subject OF fortifying Puget sound before
but for the delay in locating the navy
yard, but will now devise plans for the de-
Tense of that important point IS we'll as
others on the Sound. Having made an ex-
animation and survey of San Diego harbor
and of the mouth Of tho Columbia river
during the last two weeks, the engineers
arrived from Portland at Tacoma at 4
o'clock on Tuesday afternoon and
took up quarters on the Edith,
which they have chartered for
the tour of the Sound. Yesterday they
went by way Of Rich's passage to Port
Orchard and Port Washington and ex-
amined the navy yard, thcn came by way
of Port Madison TO this port, arriving
here about o'clock. They were met by
President Graves and committee OF the
Chamber of Commerce and entertained at
the Rsinier Club. They will so to Port
Townsend today and then to Bellingham
bay aud Deception pass and other points
which may seem to require defense.
The fertilization Of tie Sound has grown
in importance in the eyes Of the govern
ment since the navy yard was located 1t
Port Orchard, as il will be the supply and
repair point for tho navy in these waters.
and. il rendered secure by strong jefenses.
could be used in wariike preparations even
in face OF . hostile heet blockading the
entrance to the Sound. The work of con-
structing coast deisnses has been in prog
ress in New York under the direction Of
Coils. Roberts aud Gillespie for some years,
attention having been directed chiefly to
making big guns, but the placing of them
Is now up for consideration. The batteries
will consist Of mortsrs TO thros proJcctiies
high in the air, which will
ia, on the deck Of . ship aud smash
through it. and of riied guns Of high
power TO bs fired horizontally. All these
batteries will be placed on disappearing
carriages and projected by earthwork and
masonry revetments.
The visitors are the principal army engi-
neers in the country. and they will be en-
ter;ained by the Chamber OF Commerce on
their return up Sound, when they will be
given an opportunity To become familiar
with the advantages of the ci,y's location
and of Che construction of the Lake WASH
ington ship canal.