The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-08

Active preparations arc 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 tho last con-
gress, is now available, and work has
begun i'll fortifying the different har-
bors throughout the country. Boston
will receive portion of this appropria-
ton, 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 fve-inch
rapid-fre 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-
pria ton of S11 900, 900.
These guns are to be placed on what il
commonly known as 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 car
rying out the plans as far as the fort,fy-
ing of the harbor is concerned. For
some time it has been contemplated to
put guns on Long Island Head. During
the early part of this year work was al
resdy begun in making the preliminary
arrangements for it, and the excavating
has almost been completed. There is
no doubt but that tho department in
tends to push the work as rapidly an
possible, now that the necessary appro-
priation 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 and stone
for the battery at that place, and they
will be opened at his Office in the post
Office building at noon on August IL.
From present indications the work will
be completed on or about December 1.
! It is stated that there is the same ac-
tivity displayed in other cities as well as
in Boston; and at the present time all
the government stations where guns
and carriages can be manufactured are
in full operation. A large number OF
contracts have also been made with pri.
waite 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
fcrent harbors for defense, and it is as.
signed as one reason why there is 30
much haste IN terrifying them with
modern guns.
In the last six months, It is stated on
excellent authority, the Watertewn ar.
eenal has shipped about 80 gun-car-
States. Among these are the six or
eight that were placed in position at
Fort Warren in Boston harb0r q few
weeks ago. Others were sent to San
Francisco, New York, Rhode Island and
other places. There is ether evidence
that the department is dssireus of hav-
ing the harbors fortified % soon as possi-
BILE, especially those Of New York and
Boston. Previous to the beginning Of
the fiscal year on July l., the war de-
partment Notified Lieut.. Col. Mansfield
to clean up the work at Fort Winthrop
so that the place is now in excellent con-
dition and ready for service at any time.
The guns to be put on Long Islund
Head are Of the disappearing pattern,
and will cost the government about $780,
coo each. There is a possibility that all
the guns will not be erected at that
point, but distributed at one or two
other plases.--Boston Transcript.