The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-05
FAST Work At 4 DEFEyoE.
Washington VIII Be Protected By Fan-Gunn
Shipped 10 Other CItIea.

snippeu 10 Other Cities.
WASHINGTON, July 4.-Material advancement
has been made in the last two weeks toward
making the national capital safe from success
full attack by the sea. and before the summer
closes this city will be absolutely protected by
the modern Notifications constructed by tho
engineers of the army twelve miles down tho
Potomac from the Washington monument. The
authorities propose completing the project with
despatch and to render the city the FIRST in tho
great coast-defence scheme that can meet and
defeat the most powerful fleet Of armored ships
sent against IL.
Since last February, when Secretary Lamont
and a large party OF army experts and members
OF Congress witnessed the d scharge OF the first
modern rife mounted on q disappearing car
riage near here. two other powerful guns Of 10
inch calibre have been mounted, and recently
another has arrived which is TO be installed as
soon as the enplacement Is ready. Three 10
inch rifles are now commanding the channel
one mile across at tho point where tho fortihca-
lions are located, and the two others necessary
to complete the defences at that point arc to be- In
place In a few weeks. The shipment and mount
ing of the last two guns has been conducted with
the utmost secrecy. and only the officers of tho
Fourth Artillery stationed here. with their men,
and the experts, necessary TO secure proper in
stRllation, have been allowed to be present. Tho
Government desires to keep the actual strength
VI III itTlltCullOub u secret, especially from tho
attaches here. who are always on the lookout TO
secure military Information In this country, and
more especially what 10 done In coast defence.
While II Is not possible to prevent tho number of
the gums II mounts from being known, their exact
location and the location OF the submarine
mines are to DO guarded, with the utmost care.
ny the carly autumn. at the latest. the authori-
ties say. the new fortress al Fort Washington
will DO completed and ready for the new gar.
rison TO protect, the guns, and a few months
later guns for Fort Sheridan. on the opposite
shore one mile away, will also be In position.
The present plan c~ontemplates eight lO.inch
guns for tho dcfences. besides the magnificent
system OF submarine mines and torpodoes
already provided for. Tho submarine oasemate
for the electric apparatus to discharge the tor
placed In readiness, and torpedoes could be
planted and the mines worked on a weeks
notice of war. No city in tho world has been
more easily defended, the engineer and ordnance
officers say, than this. owing. to the tortuous
new fortifcntions. Within a week or two a
party Ia 10 be taken down by the Secretary of
War 10 inspect the defonces and observe tho
workings OF the big guns as they will be when
In actual service.
perts report as fast nearing a defensive condi-
ton. Twenty-four mortar batteries will have
been placed In readiness this month and three
guns are to he erected soon. Two arc now In
place. At other Southern points Included in the
coast defence plan guns are being shipped as
fast as emplacements are completed. Several OF
the larger Calibro have boon sent In the last few
days to Florida for the defonces there, and
others arc to be shipped later to Baltimore.
Gen. Flagler, tho ordnance chief, proposes TO
call for them, and says It win be easy for the
Wateryliet Arsenal and tho private firms en-.
gagged In turning out guns TO keep pace with
the em~placements.