Evening journal., 1898-04-07
DELAWARE'S DEFENSES
Submarine Mines Now Ready
to Be Anchored.
LOCATION A PROFOUND SECRET

MAJOR RAYMOND HAS EVERY
THING ARRANGED TO PUT TILE
DELAWARE RIVER IN A GOOD
STATE OF DEFENCE AT A MO
NHENT'S NOTICE.
A detachment of engineer troops
from Willetts Point, New York, arrived
at Philadelphia on Tuesday, and re-
ported to Major Raymond, United |
States engineer in charge of the con-
struction Of the Delaware river de-
fences. They were sent to Fort Della
ware and will be used in connection |
with the placing of submarine mines in |
the channel Of the river In order to |
complete the system of defences OF the |
river, which are clustered about Fort |
Delaware. Lieutenant Spencer Cosby |
Major Raymond's assistant, is incharge |
OF the men at work at the fortifca- |
| ticns.
1t is understood that Major Raymond
has everything arranged to put the
Delaware river In a good state Of de-
fence at a moments notice. The sub
marine mines, which are most impor-
tant part of the defence, are ready to
/
the guns so far mounted are considered
sufficient, in connection with the mines
and the carrying out Of other plans, to
prevent any hostile fleet from ascend
ing the river. The location Of the mines
is naturally kept profound secret. 1t
is said, however that they Will be
placed In the channel at various points
between the Notifications and deep
water in the bay, covering distance OF
several miles. 1t is also stated that
project has been discussed for planting
mines at the entrance to the bay, be-
tween Cape May and Cape Henlopen.
Electrical machinery is very i'm
portant part of modern fortihcauons.
The big rifed guns are fired by cleo
tricity; the prOjectiles and ammunition
are hoisted from the magazines and
carried TO the guns by the same power
The search-lights which sweep the
b channel of the river for vessels Of the
enemy endeavoring to approach in the
, darkness of night require powerful
electric current, and the submarine
. mines are exploded by a strong current
] sent through a cable. There are numer-
3. Gus other purposes for which electricity
T is considered indispensable, such as
: operating telephone and telegraph lines
e between the various forts, and the parts
e Of each fOrtifcatiOn and the headquar-
Il ters. To run the dynamOs steam en-
gines are necessary, and they as we'll
o as all the electrical machinery require
n experts to maintain it in perfect order
d and repair, especially during an en-
: gagement.
n There has been organized In Phila-
delphia what is called the "Volunteei
7. Electrical Corps, Philadelphia Force,
, to aid the army in case of emergency b.
Y, building and maintaining telephone ant
l. telegraph lines in connection with tn
r. Delaware river fortifcatiOns, lOokini
IN after the electrical machinery, and do
k, ing part Of the work Of planting tn
submarine mines. Similar organiza
P. tions have been effected in New Yorl
D. and ether cities.
A. The organization is known as di
c. vision, and the commander is II. J
a. Crowley, electrical engineer Of the Gen
e, eral Electric Company, in Philadelphia
4. Mr.. Mullen, also Of the General Elec
T. trio Company, was largely instrumental
Y. in organizing this division. Abou
T sixty men in round numbers make u
~ the division, all OF whom are practice
II, electricians and the pick Of 400 4
ge Philadelphia. The organization, as a
d | auxiliary force, has been accepted 10
q. service by Major Raymond and is liabl
B. for call for duty any hour Of the day G
night. Meanwhile, like other voluT
teers, they continue at their regular vC
cations.
The division is divided into for
AZ squads, designated A, B, c and d, q
10 follows:
no Squad A-Charles Hewitt, electrici
% engineer, Union Traction Compan
2
~ joiners, splicers, etc, competent to Ia
- submarine cables do joining, spliciT
- and make connections, including a
Ss storage battery work
Squad B-Percy r. Varney, electric
sssS engineer, General Electric COmpan
=, commanding. Twelve skilled electr
ei clans, competent to install and opera
nu dynamos, motors, search lights, subm
~ rine mines,. etc. and to make full al
Nv, necessary repairs to electrical al
SM steam apparatus.
Ike Squad &C. j. Russell, electrical e
70, gineer, Pennsylvania Heat, Light al
.no Power Company, commanding. Twel
7A. skilled linemen and wiremen, comp
cal tent to.run and care for inside and OF
ers side lines.
Squad D-Walton Smith, engine,
Postal Telegraph Company, comman
ing. Six telephone experts and s
ing telegraph experts, competent to hanC
not lines. instruments. etc, for telepho
,9S. | and telegraph service.
It was intended to have the Bell TIE
/. phone Company represented by exper
but it was stated yesterday that tn
company declined to furnish any m.
ent
son B.&L.