The record-union., 1898-03-05
DRY TORTUGAS.
In It's Present Condition 1t Is a
Positive Source of Danger.

WASHINGTON. March 1.-THE Navy
Department is making preparations TO
replenish the supply of ammunition of
the United States warships on the Ash
attic station. To this end orders have
been sent to the training ship Mohican,
now at Mare Island, to carry the am
munition. The ship was just about 10
leave for long cruise with the naval
apprentices. going as far as the Samoan
Islands. Her first stop was to be 1T
Honolulu. and the department has
seized the opportunity to utilize her as
a powder ship without interfering ,.lth
the itinerary arranged for her cruise.
She viii carry thirty tons of ammuni-
ton for the China fleet, and Will start
almost Immediately.
II is said at the department that this
IS only part of the regular supply Of
ammunition forwarded to the United
States naval stations abroad when op-
portunity serves. Every warship under
the regulations has a certain allotment
Of ammunition. She is expected TO have
target practice al least once every quar-
ter Yet the regulations provide that her
supply of powder must never be al
lowed TO drop below a certain specified
quantity. sufficient TO meet any emer-
gency. on the Asiatic station, from the
expenditure of an undue proportion OF
ammunition in target practice or
through the failure of the department
to keep up the supplies, some of the
ships are obliged to forego further tar
get practice until fresh installments of
powder are received.
The department has gathered q hun
dred tons Of ammunition at Mare Island
for the Asiatic fleet, and this stock has
been lying there for several months on
account of the inability of the Ordnance
Bureau TO forward II. The merchant
traffic either refuse absolutely to larry
such dangerous cargoes or ask excess
sively high freight rates in order TO pro-
tect themselves against loss Of insur-
ance. The first opportunity that pre-
sented itself in many months was the
sailing of the gunboat Concord some
weeks ago but. owing to her limited
ight-carrying capacity she was able
70 transport only a portion of the am
munition. The present plan is for the
Mexican 10 take the remainder to Hon
olulu, where it will be transshipped
either TO the Baltimore or the Bennlng-
ton. now lying there and forwarded to
the fleet at Hongkong. The Boston and
Concord both arrived at Hongkong yes
terday
In its present defenseless condition,
il is pointed out. Dry Tortugas IS a
positive source of danger. as it could
be occupied by an enemy as a base of
naval and military operations. The
most essential feature OF its defense
would he the moving of guns. and with
these the harbor would give one of
the best roadsteads in Southern waters.
The main defenses are on Tortugas
tmeaning Turtle Island) and occupy
practically the entire island, although
small narrow corral reef sweeps
around 1t. affording additional shelter.
The fort is known as Fort Jefferson.
1t is a three story brick structure. with
easements, the walls being four feet
three inches thick. The garrison quar-
ters are located in these easements.
the old plan being to place the artillery
in the upper stories and the infantry
below The old defenses consisted CT
thirty two and forty two-pounder guns.