Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-03-17

ing all Notifications to visitors, except
on permits issued by the proper au-
thorities. But the increased appro-
priations voted by congress for forts
and Notifications tell the story Of I'm
Gle Sans determination to be pre-
pared to maintain and defend the
nations honor. In 1896 congress
appropriated, for forts and fortifi-
cations, $1,904,557; in 1897, $7,377-
1888; and for the year ending June,
1898, $9,517, 141, the largest apropria-
ton made for this purpose since the
especially when the general business
depression of the country during this
period is considered.
At this time, when the air is full
Of flying rumors, it will be interesting
to note how our more important sea-
port cities are prepared to defend
themselves against an attack of hos
tile war vessels.
There is no city in the union, whose
capture would rebound more to the
profit and glory of an enemy, than
Washington, the nations capital; and,
facing this fact, is anOther-there is
no city in the union better protected
than Washington Twelve miles be-
low the capital, on a high bluff where
the Potomac river makes a turn, Fort
Washington keeps watch and ward;
and directly across the river, not more
than a mile distant, stands Fort Sher-
idan. The strength of Fort Washing
ton will be better understood when it
is known that it's guns are 200 feet
above the river behind great con-
crete earthworks some 70 feet thick,
and so placed that it is MT possible
to hit them from the water. Their
terrible projectiles command a sweep
Of II miles down the river and the
entire channel up to the city. The
battery of Fort Washington is as for
midable as it's position; and consists
disappearing guns, and several Of the
old 15-inch smoothbore mortars,
which are capable of sinking any but
heavily armored ships. Fort Sheri
dan, on the opposite side of the river,
mounts four 12-inch and three 8-inch
guns. 1t is believed that these two
forts are able to protect Washington
against any fleet, however numerous
or powerful it's war vessels; but to
make it certain that no hostile ship
gets near Washington, the river is
planted with submarine mines and
boat so venturesOme as to attempt
it's passage.
What marvellous instruments of de-
struction these great disappearing
guns arei Hidden in pits or behind
strong emplacements, they offer no
target to an enemy, save for the few
seconds. when like great giants they
stand up and deliver their fire and as
quickly sink back out of sight again.
These guns can be loaded and aimed
while in the down position. so
that the gunners are not exposed to
the fire Of the enemy for an instant.
The accuracy Of the aim is remark
able. Even the smaller vessels of the
navy. it is claimed. can be hit at a
distance of five miles; while at the
usual fighting distance their steel mis-
sles are capable Of piercing the
strongest armor used on any war yes
sci. The machinery. which lifts and
handles the monster masses Of metal,
works so moothlv and so quickly
that they can be aimed, loaded and
fired. at the rate of about forty shots
an hour.
All the seaport Notifications are
armed or being armed with these
disappearing guns. and
placed in condition to defend their
respective cities.
Charleston. South Carolina has one
gun. two 10-inch guns,
and sixteen Pinch mortars. Pensa-