The Meeker herald., 1896-08-22
FORTIFYING BOSTON.
Heavy Guns to Be Planted on Long
Island Head.
Other Points That VIII Re Supplied
with Large Cannon - To BE Pre-
pared for Possible Interna-
tional Differences.


Active preparations are now being
made by the Representatives of the war
department in Boston for the defense of
Boston. The appropriation for this
work, which was passed by the last con-
grcss, is now available, and work has
begun in fortifying the different har-
bors throughout the country. Boston
! will receive portion of this appropria-
tion, and Lieut.. Col. Mansfield, who is
in charge of this district, has received
orders from the department at Wash
| ington to provide emplacements for
| three ten-inch rifles and two tive-inch
rapid-fr. guns. The fact that these
guns were to be placed in the harbor
was learned from the war department
the other morning, and the expense of
them is to come out of the new appro-
/ priation of Si1 100000.
These guns are to be placed on what is
commonly known rs Long Island Head,
situated on the eastern end OF Long
! Island. The department. has appointed
Lieut.. Meriweather l.. Walker to assist
Lieut.. Col. Mansfield in placing the guns
in position, and to aid generally in ear
ryiIg ou, the plans as far as The fort;fy-
ing OF the harbor is concerned. For
some time it has been contemplated to
put guns OH Long Island Head. During
the early part of this year work was al
| ready begun in making the preliminary
arrangements for it, and the excayattng
has almost been completed. There is
| no doubt but that the department in
tends to push the work as rapidly us
possible. now that the necessary appro-
| priaticn is available.
The carriage for the first ten-inch
gun is being built at the Watertown
arsenal, and will be ready in the near
| future for shipment to Long Island.
| Lieut.. Col. Mansfield has advertised for
| proposals for cement, sand md stone
for the battery at that place. and they
will be opened at his Office in the rost
office building at noon on August 10.
From present Indications the work will
be completed on or about December /.
1t is stated that there is the same ac-
tivity displayed in other cities az well as
in Bcston and at the present time all
the government stations wEcrc guns
and carriages can be manufactured are
in full operation. A large number of
contracts have also been made with pri-
vate firms in different parts of the
country for the manufacture of both
guns and carriages. There is no doubt
in the minds of the officials that the
slight controversies that the United
States government has had with for
eign countries has awakened an interest
IN the matter of strengthening the diff
, fercnt harbors for defense, and it is as
signed as one reason why there is SC
much haste in fortifying them with
modern guns.
In the last six months, it is stated on
excellent authority, the Watertown ar
, seual has shipped about so gun-car'
rieGes to various harbors in the United
States. Among these are the six OF
eight that were placed in position nj
Fort Warren in Boston harbor few
weeks ago. Others were sent to San
Francisco, New York, Rhode Island and
other places. There is other evidence
that the department is desirous of hav
l ing the harGors fortified as soon as posi-
+ Bile, especially those of New York dnd
Boston. Previous to the beginning o,
the fiscal year on July l, the wur de
raTtr'ent notified Lieut.. Col. Mansfield
TO clean up the work at Fort Winthrop
so thGt 't!c pace is now IN excellent con
dition and eady for service at any time
The guns to be put on Long Islnni
Head az of the disappearing pattern
and viii cost ;as government about $50,
600 each. There is a possibility that al
the gurs will not be erected at tina
; point, but distributed at one or two
other p.aces.--Boston Transcript.
G. o. Taylor whiskiss Of great value to the sick