The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-11
ESQUIMAULT.
Elaborate Defensive Works by the
British Government.

Elaborate Defensive WORKS Dy 'ho
British Government.
From time to time short telegraphic
dispatches have appeared In the press
referring to the work being performed
by the War and Navy Departments at
Esquimault the station Of the Northern
Pacific squadron at the southern eN-
trenity of Vancouver Island, but few
arc aware Of the gigantic nature OF the
operations now IA progress under tho
supervision Of experienced officers en-
plOyed by the British Government.
During many months some hundreds OF
men have been engaged Ia ana arouhu
the fortifcaions. the nature and extent
of their work being jealousy guarded
secrets. none but the most trusted army
and navy officers knowing what mas
been done A few days ago the first
oe0plte move was made toward incTeas-
Ing the area of the station, stakes bear
ing the letters "W. d" having been
placed in position in various places Ia
the village. conveying the knowiense
that from the present gates, through
the one street down TO the wharf, an
area embracing all there IS in the place
will ne appropriated 10 enable her Males-
ty S army and navy 10 enjoy possession
Of the whoe peninsula. Several sales OF
property have ALREADY been made 10 the
imoerial government, crd II is expected
that in short time the whole OF the
required sand will be obtained.
A naval authority thoroughly acqualnt-
ed with the plans Of the department has
stated that the intention Is TO establish
a store. repair ano supply station second
10 none IN the Empire, the erection OF
forts sufficient 10 defend the station
against any sea or land force that could
be brought against Il: the construction
of craving docks sufficiently large 70 re-
ceive the largest vessels IN the BRUSH
navy. and the building Of barracks COM
mensurate with the needs OF the army
of men which would be needed for the
efficient manning Of the forts ana yes
sells.
A new naval prison has just been COM
pleted OF a size altogether out OF pro-
portion 20 the present needs of the sta
ton. at a cost OF some $1,000 but when
will not be more than adequate Tor the
requirements Of the future when the
contemplated expansion is a realized
fact. The present dry dock, commenced
in 1850. and which required five years
for its construction. costing fl55O0o. con-
tributed by the Imperial and Dominion
governments. is a massive stone work
$50 feet long and sixty-fve feet wide. II
has. as yet been sufficient Tor all pur-
poses. although its capacity was tested
DV the N tlSIflit anu AtpF "a num-
both of which vessels. when fiagships on
the station, were taken In for cleaning
and repairs. The time has passed. how
ever. when any possibility Of the want
OF accommodation for the largest yes
sells should be allowed 20 exist and the
authorities are speedily moving towards
the enlargement Of the existing dock
or the construction OF an entirely new
one IL Is believed the latter course VII
be adopted. an excellent site I'm little
cove. x present the rendezvous OF the
torpedS boats and the torpedo boat de-
stroyers. being available. To sum mp,
at Esquimault the War Department con-
templates the creation Of supply sta
ton and naval depot as impregnable a.
Gibraltar. That this plan has been IN
contemplation for many months. and II
is not the outcome Of any feeling en-
eendered by the present spread of war
ike sentiment, IS sufficiently demon
strated by the fact that the department
has already quietly secured much or the
property necessary 20 the success OF the.
plans. the date Of such requirement GO
ing back even so far as two years ago
Montreal Letter. y. Y Evening Post.