The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-15
DEFENsELEss PUGET SOUND
The Urgent Need of Guns and FightIn
Ships.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
The preparation of the Oregon for
her trial trip shows that henceforth we
may rely on this fine battle ship as one
element of protection for the Pacific
seaboard.
1t may safely be said. too. that what
ever the isuse OF our quarrel with Eng
land, there need be no anxiety in re-
gard to that part of our coast line. This
is partly due. perhaps, to our recent
controversy with Chile. which caused
hurried preparedness to be made for
the defense of San Francisco and a
pushing Of the naval work. We also
have, nearly completed. at Port or
chard on Admiralty inlet, one of the
largest dry docks in the world. capable
or accommodating any ship built or
building.
There are really but two points on
that coast which an enemy would find
IL worth while to attack. or of which
the loss to us would be of much conse-
quence. These are San Francisco and
Puget Sound. A few other points will
ultimately be fortified, prominent
among them being the mouth of the
Columbia and San Diego; but obstruc-
tons are possible at the former. and
the latter has little commerce to at
tract on enemy's attention.
AT San Francisco high authority
Finch mortars is practically complet-
ed. So, also, is the battery for the
three pneumatic dynamite guns, throw
ing enormous quantities of high explo-
sives. or the two powerful Finch
rifles. one is ready for use and the other
TO be mounted; and. finally, there are
lO-inch guns to be put on disappearing
carriages. due from the East" Puget
Sound has no guns mounted as yet,
but its channels are commanded by
high bluffs and very easily protected
Besides, IL is susceptible OF naval de-
Tense
We have to-day on the Pacific coast
three powerful armorclads. the Oregon.
with is inches of the best armor on it's
sides, II on its barbettes and Is on its
turrets, carries the tremendous battery
OF four 1S-inch. eight eight-inch and
four six-inch guns: the Monterey, a
steel monitor. with 13 inches of armor
on it's sides and IL and eight inches re-
spectively on it's barbettes. carries two
l2-inch and two 10-inch guns: the
Monadnock, coast defense monitor.
with nine inches on her sides and lih
on her barbettes, carries four l0-inch
and two four-inch guns
OF steel cruisers we have on the Pa
ciic coast the Philadelphia. Il six-inch
guns the Baltimore. four eight-inch
and six six-inch. and various other yes
and Honolulu from which TO draw
cruisers; and there we may reckon the
Olympia, a splendid combination of
speed and power. carrying four eight
inch and 10 five-inch guns; the Charles
ton, two eight-inch and six six-inch;
the Boston, with like battery; the De-
49, nine five-inch guns the Benning-
sHn. six six-inch; the Concord, a sister
snip of the Bennington; the Machias,
eight four-inch; The Castine, a mate
the Machias. and the Petrol. four six
II CHI guns. All these are modern steel
ships. At Seattle is building a fast tor
pedo boat
Such are suggestions from the fact
that the Monadock is getting ready
for commission this week. and the Ore
gon preparing for an early trial We
must still push on the land and sea
defenses OF the Pacific coast. but
there is already no cause for anxiety
there.