The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-25
RAPID FIRE GUNS.
Regarded as Among the Most Import
ant Means of Defence by
Gen. Wilson.

Washington, Oct. 25.-The annual re-
port of Brigadier General John NJ Will
son, chief of engineers. U. S A, has
been made to the secretary Of war. In
consequence of the war with Spain that
portion of the report relating to forth
6catiOns is most interesting. Upon this
point Gen. Wilson says:
During the fiscal year projects of
permanent sea coast defences were pre-
pared and approved by the secretary of
war for Port Royal, S. c., Johns river,
Fla, Tampa, Fla, and Sabine Pass,
Tex, making thirty localities in the
United States for which projects of per-
manent defences have thus far been
approved under the general scheme
recommended in 1886 by the Endicott
board. At the close of the fiscal year
the construction of permanent modern
defensive works was in progress at 70
localities.
In consequence of the war with Spain
and the possibilities of hostile attacks
upon our coasts, urgent and pressing
demands were made by senators, repre-
sentatives and local business men for
the immediate erection of sea coast
batteries at numerous points not con-
tempIated in the general scheme of ma
tiOnal defence. In the absence of any
available modern armament, the secre-
tary of war directed the immediate con-
struction of temporary batteries, mount
ing old style armament and siege guns,
for the defence of a number of exposed
localities, including some which are en-
fence.
The localities at which temporary
batteries were ordered are Bar Harbor,
Me, Stonington, Bridgeport and New
Haven, Conn; Port Royal and George
town. S. c.; Brunswick and Darien,
Ca; Mouth of st. Johns river, st. Au-
gustine Miami and Tampa, Fla, and
Sabine Pass, Tex. In addition to the
foregoing temporary batteries, prepare
lions were made against possible hos
tile attacks by overhauling, cleaning
and putting in Serviceable condition, the
existing armament and by temporarily
mounting within them additional guns
at the following O1d-type works: Fort
Knox, Fort Popham, Fort Trumbull,
Fort Monroe, Fort Macon, Fort Pulaski,
Fort CIinch, Fort Morgan, Fort Jack
son and forts in San Francisco.
While no hostile attacks were made
upon coasts during the war with Spain
the operations of the American heet on
the coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico, nave
amply demonstrated the value of coast
defences including shore batteries and
submarine mines in resisting naval at
tacks. It may be confidently asserted
that the completion of the pro1ects
upon which operations are now IN pro
eress will practically insure the safety
of our principal harbors and sea coast
cities against any attacks from the sea.
One ether important deduction may
also be drawn from the results or the
war. viz: The great value and EN-
cheney of the rapid fire gun. 1t is graf
flying to report that not only has
considerable number of these rapid nre
e11ns been mounted during the year but
that provision has been made for the
manufacture and emplacing of a large
additional number.
Existing projects for sea coast de
fences contemplate the emplacement OF
about 500 heavy guns of g. 10, u and
IS inches caliber of about 700 rapid fire
guns of various calibres and of about
one thousand mOrtars. THESE hgures
are subject to slight changes as minor
revisions are made and additional loca-
lions included. The estimated approx
innate cost of the engineering work
connected with the installation of this
armament is $55, 0O0, 600.