The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-17

the board would doubtless recommend
sea-coast defense vessels or torpedo boats
TO assist the land batteries In case of at
tack.
Admiralty head and Marrowstone
point are bold bluffs about 2l0 feet in
height, while Point Wilson proper is a
point of low land extending into the inlet
which. however. rises sharply a snort
distance to the rear and offers CON-
manding position for artillery. It would
seem that strong defensive works at each
OF these three positions tMarrowstone
point Offering no opportunity for an APP
proaeh by land would present fairly
successful obstacle TO the forcible en-
trance of hostile ships and that the en-
tire extended shore line of Puge. sound
would be comparatively secure from ma
val attack, especially If the additional as
sistance which coast defense vessels and
torpedo boats could furnish is supplied.
The Land That Is Needed.
The condition of these points, In so
far as government ownership Is con-
cerned, IS as follows: At Admiralty head
q reservation OF $40 acres was declared
on September %. 1856. but IL was almost
entirely covered by perfected claims prior
10 date OF declaration and all that Is left
TO government Is light house reserve
containing some fifteen or twenty acres.
d
which extends into Crocketts lake. At
Point Wilson. the same extent of reser-
walton was declared on the same date
but private claims. then or since per-
fected. cover the entire area with the ex-
ception of the extreme point, on which
lighthouse IS maintained. The reserva-
ton on Marrowstoue point, declared on
the same date and for like amount is
burdened by some conflicting claims and
some university reserve lands. but there
remains unsncumbered 1879 acres, COM
prising the desirable portion OF the bluff.
The additional land at all of these three
points which In required 10 construct ade-
quate defenses should be secured as soon
as practicable. At Admiralty head and
Point Wilson little Is needed-oniy suffi-
cient to permit Of constructing and main
tanning the necessary batteries AT Mar
rowstone point, where IL would seem an
efficient garrison should he placed. addi-
tionai government land might be desired.
though sufficient. think, remains to meet
requirements.
Passing beyond the military reserva-
tons which are next Immediately south
OF this locality tnamely those at Double
and Fouiweather bluffs and AT the ems
trance OF Hood canal, which are shown
on the blue print. 10 the vicintty OF Sc
attic. an apparently accurate estimate OF
the conclusions OF the fortiacation board
as 10 what remaining positions 81 IL nee
essary TO fortiiy TO insure adequate pro-
lection TO the Sound may be obtained.
But before doing 80 II might be Well 10
refer 20 those reservations and consider
what ADVANTAGES they possess By refer
enc. to the map |, will he seen that Dou-
HE and Foulweathe- bluffs were chosen
as defensive positions from which TO pre-
vent the massage Of hostile vessels by Al
rrairalty inlet into the upper waters OF
Puget Sound. and also that the last
named bluff and the designated poins 80
the westward. known as Taia point. were
intended 10 defend the entrance Of Hoods
canal
Lower sound Defense=.
These reservations have little present
iy1ror.aure for should hostile feet sac
coed IN effectsng the passage OF the mouth
Of the inlet 4. could net do any damage
until e reached the vicinity az Seattle
and as for the canal. there is nothing
within IL 10 invite attack. However. the
time ts anproachgng when the eastern
shore OF Possession Sound win receive
considerable population. which VIII locate
valuable properties. and along the canal.
which has sufficient depth of water 80 ac-
corroaate the largest ships, important
business interests may ,. developed in the
distant future Stili there Is one thing
which merits present consideration In 50
far as this canal is concerned The gov
eminent dry dock. ugon which ore ard
oz,e-haif millions of money viii BE- sx-
vs%rs4ess Is approaching completion AZ Port
Orchard sths fEace IL inAlrafe1 on the ar
csrsparsytTs pratt. and probably II would
BE- within the effective range Of tire heavy
guns Of war vessel flrea from the near-