The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-10
OUR HOME DEFENSES.

/ Now tnst the question o, our eoas; &c.
| fenses has come to the front, tho exposed
situation Of the Texas coast 10 apparent 1t
erected under the appropriations Of the
present congress, the defense Of Galveston
ana the entrance 70 the icttios is provided
for This is wise; but the contingency OF
Zee, forcing the passage Of the jct;ics and
\ holding possession OF the great harbor Of
| the Bolivar basin is also entitled 10 con-
| siderstion, In such catastrophe. the entire
water approaches to Houston would be I'M
der sus3ecfion unless the enemys light
GRAFT fee; was held in check by defensive
works.
Ii is probable tina, In any war between
the United States and a great naval power,
the main scene Of operations will be In the
Gulf o: Mexico. The possession OF the West
Indies, with It's splendid hsrbors as base
az operations against the Gulf States coast.
Will be as important, TO such power as 1t
would be. as measure Of safety, to us.
Whether 10 support our position there or
to protect Texas against the operations Of
tHt stNashAs w hhc aSNF
waters o. the San Jacinto bay and river
and Buffalo bayou. and the defense Of their
approaches from the Bolivar basin, assume
Importance
These waters afford anchorage safe from
storms and an enemy in the gulf, for our
monitors. harbor defense rams. torpedo
boats, light draft gunboats and floating bat
teries. with draft of from IL TO 90 feet. The
new $500 ton cruisers have a mean draft Of
i.t. feet: the 5000 ton cruisers. mean draft
Of l6 feet: the monitors and rams Of within
Is feet II an draft. and torpedo boats of the
class OF the Destroyer would make cruising
on our coast a dangerous business. They will
prove the most effective means Of coast
defense and harassment OF fleet: but they
must have harbor OF refuse.
The strategic position Of Houston will as
clearly demonstrate Itself in time of war
as does its trade position assert itself now
In time of peace. AS the great tidal rail-
way center Of Texas its outlet 10 the sea.
independent of Galveston. yet connected
with II by water and three lines of railway.
with the coast line OF railway and connec-
,ions to New Orleans and west to the Rio
Granie, and with its great trunk lines
permcating Texas and connecting with the
granaries OF the great Northwest, its posi-
;ion. as base Of supplies, war material
and the concentration of troops in support
Of naval operations along the coast Of Texas
and Louisiana, can not fail to be recognized.
Tho rail lines Of coast communications
must be maintained, in check Of the opera
lions OF an enemy in possession of any
portion Of our coast line of harhors.
Even in its present stage of completion |
To depth OF IL feet through Galveston |
bay. the defense OF the ship channel APP |
proaches TO the Sar Jacinto river Is i'm |
portant, The position at Edwards Poln'
commands the entrance 70 the deep water |
channel through Red Fish bar. An enemy |
In possession OF the upper Galveston bay |
would command the approaches to the Trin-
~ river and threaten our rail communica-
lions with the Sabine river and Louisiana
also the approaches to the San Jacinto river
through the Morgan's Point ship canal. The
position Of the hcadlands at Rcd Bun ana
Cedar Point ard Morgnn's Point affords
good location for defensive works The
defense and maintenance OF these water
is not only important for
the operations of our light draft naval yes
sells but also 10 maintain our exports OF
cotton. cotton seed products and food pro-
ducts of our own state and the great North
west, which. even in a state of war or post
tive blockade, would concentrate here and
or Buffalo bayou, aud take the war risk
Of voyage. Should war com" before the
project Of widening and deepening the ship
chanuc through Galveston bay for The
passaEe of vessels of 20 feet draft into the
san Jaelnto river is accomplished its ad-
and necessity as war measure
would soon be apparent. The defenses OF Its
line should no longer be neglected.