The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-10-22
IN TINE OF PEACE
PREPARE FOR WAR
Annual Report Of the Chief Of Engineers
Oi the Army.
TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR
Millions Of Dollars to Be Spent For Coast
Defense and
RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT
The Rivers of Alabama viii Get Little Over
Three Millions, the Largest Sum Going
to the Coosa Riyer-The Warrior
Canal Is Not Mentioned.
10 THE SECRE TARY OF WAR
RIVER AND HARB0R IMPROVEMENT

Washington. Oct. 21.-Gen. Wilson,
chief of the engineers OF the army, has
made his annual report to the secretary
of war. 1t is devoted to the fortifica-
tions and river and harbor improve
ments of the country. Estimates for
coast defenses for the years 1SeS-99 are
as follows: r..
Gun and mortar batteries, s5,000,000;
purchase of land for fortifieations, $780,
600; protection, preservation and repair
of foItifications, 100000; preparation Of
plans for fortifcations, $4,000; sea walls
and embankments, sos, 900; torpedoes for
harbor defense, special purchase of sub
marine mines and necessary appliances
to operate them, for closing the chan
nels leading to principal seaports, for
to render 1T possible to separate SUBJ
marine mines $1500O0. Total $5,S10,000.
To this is added SAL 900 for the engineer
depot at Willet's Point, N. Y.
On the subject of Notifications the re-
port says:
1.-THE system of fsseacoast defenses now
in progress of construction is based
upon the report of the board of fortifi
cations and other defenses appointed
by the president under the provisions of
the act of March 3. 1885. The report of
this board, generally known as the En-
dicott board, was published in 1886.
Under instructions from the chief of
engineers, dated ~~Bdxrchs-~ss,,-f8S7 the
board of engineers undertook the study
and preparation of detailed projects for
the artillery and submarine mine de-
fense of the principal sea and lake ports
of the United States. Up to the pres
ent time projects have been prepared
and have received the approval of the
secretary of war for the following:
Hampton oRads, Va; Wilmington.
N. c.; Charleston, S. c.; Savannah, Ca;
Key West, Fla; Pensacola, Fla; Mobile,
Ala; New Orleans, La; Galveston, Tex.
Projects for the defense of other
ports are still under consideration.
"The great range of modern high
power guns compels the establishments
of defensive lines at distances from the
cities and harbors considerably greater
than heretofore deemed NJ cessary. At
many harbors the sites of the older type
works are at distances from the objects
to be protected insufficient to admit Of
a proper defense under modern ccndi-
tionis. AT other harbors the areas of the
old sites are too small to accommodate
the modern dsfenses. The acquisition Of
suitable sites has, therefore, been a nee
essary feature of the construction of "a
modern system of sea coast defense.
During the past fiscal year little has been
obtained ITO sites at Portland, Me, at
the entrance to Long Island Sound, Bal
timore, Md; Charleston, S. c.: Key Wsst,
Fla; Galveston, Tex; San Diego, Cal. 1;
and Puget Sound, Wash. Negotiations
are still i'm progress for sites at Portland,
Me-; Boston, Mass; Narrangasett Bay,
N. H.; eastern entrance TO Long Island
Sound; Key Wrst, Fla; Galveston, Tex,
and Puget Sound, Wash. Ali available
funds for the purchase of sites for sea
coast defenses have been pledged. The
operation in acquiring sites for s:a coast
defenses are frequently met with tedious
and unavoidable delay. Attention is
earnestly asked for the continuation of
securing necessary sites"
Gen. Wilson says that during the fiscal
pended on river and harbor improve
ments $13,461, 1876. For the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1Sss his estimates are:
Continuing the work authirized by con-
gress, $1S,S76,OO7; for other works not
provided for by continuing contracts,
$29,452,153. The principal estimates in
de- all in a number of the states follow:
Virginia-James river, 100000 Nor
folk harbor, $56,774; Nanesemond rivsr,
$sO,OOO Apponattox river. $4,000; Cape
Charles City harbor, $4,000.
North Carolina-Roanoke river, $40, 900;
Pamlico and Tar rivers, s3S, 500; Cape
Fear river, at and below Wilmington.
$25O,00O.
South CaroMna-4Wacammaw river,
100000; Winyah Bay, s450,00O; Santec
river, 100000; Wappoo cut. $25.5O0.
Georgiae-Savaxnaa harbor. s45o.ooo:
Savannah haroor maintenance. 100000;
q n Ii
$4,000; Altamah river, $4,000; Oconee