Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-12-09
COAST FORTIFICATIONS.
Important Additions Made to Oar
Means OF Defense.

Means OF Defense.
During the past year rapid progress has
been made toward the completion of the
scheme adopted for the erection and arma-
ment Of Notifications along our sea coast,
while equal progress has been made in pro-
viding the material for submarine defense
in connection with these works.
1t is peculiarly gratifying at this time
to note the great advance that has been
made in this important undertaking since
the date of the opening Of the second SEES
sion, in December 1898. At that time
informed the Congress Of the approaching
completion of nine 12-inch, twenty 1O-inch,
thirty-four S-inch high power steel guns,
and seventy-five Pinch ritied mortars.
This total then seemed insignificant when
compared with the great work remaining
to be done. Yet it was none the less a
source Of satisfaction to every citizen when
he reflected that it represented the first
installment of the new ordinance of Ameri-
can design and American manufacture and
demonstrated our ability TO supply from
our own resources guns of uneXceled power
and accuracy At that date, however,
there were practically no carriages upon
which to mount these guns and only
thirty-one emplacements for guns and six
ty-four foI. mortars.~ Nor were all these
emplacements in condition to receive their
armament. Only one high-power gun was
at that time in position for the defense OF
the entire coast. Since that time the num-
Der of guns actually completed has been
increased to twenty-one 12-inch; ffty-six
10-inch sixty-one 8-inch high power
breech-loading steel guns, ten rapid fire
guns and eighty 12-inch rif1ed mortars.
In addition there are in process Of con-
struction one 16-inch type gun, fifty r.
inch, Sc 10-inch, twenty-seven S-inch high
power guns and sixty-six 12-inch Tif1ed
mortars; in all four hundred and twenty
eight guns and mOrtarS
Modern Gun Carriages.
During the same year Immediately pre-
ceding the message referred to, the first
modern gun carriage had been completed
and eleven more were in process of con-
structon. All but one were of the nom
disappearing type. These, however, were
not such as to secure necessary cover for
the artillery gunners against the intense
fire of modern machine rapid fire and high
power guns.
The inventive genius of ordnance and
civilian experts has been taxed in de-
signing carriages that would obviate this
fault, resulting it is believed, in the So
luton of this difficult problem. Since
1893, the number Of gun carriages con-
structed or building has been raised to a
total of 129, of which ninety are on the
disappearing principle and the number of
mortar carriages to 152, while the ninety
five emplacements which were provided
to $50 built and building.
This improved situation is largely due
to the recent generous response of Con-
gress to the recommendations of the War
department.
Thus we shall soon have complete about
one-ffth of the comprehensive system, the
first step in which was noted in my
message to Congress December 4, 1898
When it is understood that a masonry
emplacenlent not only furnishes a plat
form for the heavy modern high power
gun, but also in every particular service
answers the purpose and takes the place
of the fort of former days, the Importance
Of the work accomplished is better COM
pretended.
A Marked Degree of Security.
In the hope that the work will be pros
ecuted with no less vigor in the future.
the secretary of war has submitted an es-
innate by which, if allowed, there will be
provided and either built or building by
the end of the next fiscal year, such addi-
tional guns, mortars, gun carriages, and
emplacements, as will represent not far
from one-third of the total work to be
dcne under the plan 2Iopted for our coast
defenses-thus affording a prospect that
the entire work will be substantially COM
pleted within six years In less time than
that, however. we shall have attained a
marked degree of security.
The experience and results of the past
year demonstrate that with a continuation
of present careful methods the cost of the
remaining work will be much less than
the original estimate.
We should always keep in mind that OF
all forms of military preparation, coast