The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-20
FORT MONR0E'S DEFENSES.
old Ordnance Supplanted by Modern
High-POWcr Guns.


FORT MONROE. VA. April 1S.-Colo-
mel Hughes, Of the War Department.
Washington. visited this place yesterday
and. I'm company with Colonel Frank and
Colonel De M3relly made o. thorough IN
spectiou of this important outpost for
the defense OF Washington and Baltimore.
While each of the officers named de-
clined 10 give any information for publ
cation. 10 was learned by star reporter
that Colonel Hughes is entirely satisfied
with the Progress that D. being made TO-
ward rendering Fort Monroe lmpres-
nable against any hostile fleet
The greater part of the day was spent
I'm examining the new defcnses at Buck
roe Beach. "a piece OF thlckiy "ooueu
eround about one and one-hat miles
north 81 the fort. and in Inspecting 'he
extensive system OF mines Wmch mas
been and is being placed I'D the hIl W.,
between Capes Charles and Henry wore
ON .hr latter means of defence Is conduct
on on ,,i,b tbo utmost secrecy. aud no one
except those actually engaged lh 10 anu
= foo oHicers of the rank OF captain ana
abo,.e a. permitted 20 learn anything
r.botever about IT, and all are pledged
~ give no information Whatever 10 III
a. prcl,roe Beach. where n large num-
bc-. of men are engaged no plah'il- NV
n,ortars and disappearing guns lHct
f,,,,st cor1nieted what viii be- one OF tle
most powerful f0rtrosses along l"s
I,rtio coast. and every man VINO ~ -
,,'.,od an operate the guns IS cohlden1
~ ma spauish fleet can yet beyond Vie
-. of their ere. any one OF "Hl0" -
effective at ten miles. ,,--.-., ,.,,,,- ~,
e'D'siies this the old-fashIoned guns on
Tho parapet are being rapidly rePlaeeo
o,itt S-incn converted rifles, ana raP'u-"i
guns are being mounted Wherever II -
deemed they can be made 20 perform GU"
service. If the time arrives lot 80 uo'l'7'
II is believed the latter VIII ne d orl .'.','
protection against the swift a"' 49,,
n, dangerous little torpedo boats Whlch
40 RENTED 10 have sufficient speed 20
on,bIe them To elude the more deliberate
ere of tho big guns. The new guns VIII
hc mounted on the upper ramparts, racing
hotb Hampton Roads and Chesapeake
bay. .., ., Mill ,,ho,
cornnIeted command every foot or water
over which "a hostile fleet going north
y,o,ld have 10 pass. From the two mining
classmates at the fort, cables now run
| out TO the expanse OF water between the
horseshoe and the fort and other cables
extend across the entrance 10 hampton
Roads. These cables are attached TO sub
4 marine mines "lli0h a. -
almost sufficient protection 10 the Tort.
The officers az the fort express the ut
most confidence IN the ability or the guns
al their command 70 repulse a hostile
| fleet
There are however. hundreds Of persons
| I'm this vicinity and among them many
| who compose the garrisan at Port Mon
! roe. who say they 90 not believe that the
Standards will ever get near enough 20
| attack the Tort II Is their belief that the
| living squadron is being held by the gov
/ eminent IN Hampton Roads for the pur-
nose OF taking .care OF any hostile Meet
! whose commander might take T. into ms
head to try the capture OF washington
/ or Baltimore.
| The utmost energy Is being-dlsplayed IN
| the Norfolk navy yard ana Newpor'
\ News ship yards In preparing bhips for