Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-10-28
DEFENCEs or Tnf DELAWARE.
what Gen. Wilson, Chief of Engineers,
saws in His Report.


says in His Report.
Washington, ID. c., Oct. 21.-Geu.
Wilson, chief of engineers, U. S. A.,
in his annual report has this TO say
about the defences of the Delaware
River: 1.-THE modern works for the
defence of the Delaware River, upon
which work has been carried on TO
greater or less extent during the past
fiscal year, consist OF one baJtery-m
three 12.inch and three 10 inch disap-
pearing guns, one battery of three II,
inch disappearing guns. one battery OF
l6 12-inoh mortars and one battery CT
two 5.inch rapid fire gunsS The battery
OF Elk 10-inch and Pinch disappear
ing guns is practically completed. The
three l0-inch guns arc mounted in
position, and tine three 12-inch guns
can be mounted as soon as the guns
and carriages are received.
1.-The six emplacements contain, all
! told, 81. 524 cubic yards of concrete ma
sonry and 90. $40 cubic yards of earth
| and sand embaDkment. The work still
| to be donu consists in building paro-
dos and road in rear OF the battery
| in completing the installation of the
systems for electric lighting and for
the service of ammunition, and in fin
l
| All materials necessary are on haud and
no delays are anticipated. The total
cost OF this battery up to June 3Oth,
1897, WAS 1921, 1928. 40.
THE only work done during tho
fiscal year ON the construction of the
battery for three IL inch guns on dis.
appearing carriages was the driving OF
772 Piles, practically completing the
pile foundations, 4, 1852 piles in all hay-
ing been driven. Everything is in
readiness to carry on rapidly the con-
struction of the battery proper as soon
as funds are available. Up to June
Both, 1897, s132, 493.4 had been ex'
pended on this battery.
with funds appropriated in the act
of March 3D., 1897, it is proposed
TO construct battery of l6 12-inch
mortars. The allotment for this work
was made early in June. An extension
to the wharf leading to thesite is now
in course OF construction; specihca,
tions have bean issued for the principal
building materials needed, and arrange
ments made TO set up the construction
plant 1t ia believed that work on the
battery itself can DO begun in few
weeks.
1.-Two emplacements for 5-inch rapid
urB guns bdlduCGu plllui
arc to be built near to and from tn
allotment for tho six-gun battery. Tit
: project for the two emplacements wa
, approved sarly in June; excavation fo
the foundations began at once, and II
: now nearly completed.
, 1t is estimated that tho two emplRce
nents will he ready to have the gum
mounted in them by August 10Th, 1905. )
ire estimates for coast defences fo
the years 1S9S-9D aggregate 50, Shl, 600
i Among tho estimates in detail are:
, ennsylvania- Delaware River. $500,
600. New Jersoy-Staten Island Chan
! mol, S32, 600; Raritan River, $50, Geo
.. Raritan Bay, 500, GOO. Delaware nar
, Dor Of refuge, Delaware Bay, Sl,933,
! GGG; Wilmington harbor, Sa05, SAG; in
/ land waterway from Loves, Del, Il
Chincotoaguo, Va, Sl00, 600. Mary
! aud--Baltinorp harbor, $780, 600. Vir
~ ginia-James River, $500, oG0; Norfoll
, 6arbor. 500. TIA; Nansomoud River
\ $50, ON; Appomsttox River, $40 900
: Cspo Charles City harbor, $40, 900.