The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-28

Annual Report Of General Wilson,
Chief of knxtneers-Whas Has Beeu
Done and what L. I'm Contemplation

Chief of Engtncers-Whas Has Heeu
Done aud what q. in Contemplation
washin gton. October 25.-The an
nual report of Brigadier General John
NJ. Wilson, chief OF engineers. United
States army, has been made to the
secretary of war. IN consequence of
the war with Spain that portion OF the
report relating I Notifications liz
most interesting. Upon this point
General Wilson SAYS:
During the fiscal year projects for
permanent eacoast d~efenses were pre-
pared, n approved by secretary OF
war, for Port Royal s. c., ST Johns
river. Fla; and Sabine pass. Texas.
making thirty locations In the United
States for which projects OF permanent
defences have thus far been approved
under the general scheme recommend
ed in 1886 by tn Endicott board. At
the close of the fiscal year the on
struction OF permanent modern defen-
sive works was in progress at twenty
five localities.
In consequences of the war with
Spain n the possibilities OF hostile
attacks upon our coasts, urgent and
pressing demands were made by sena-
tors, representative and local BUSH
ness interests for the immediate cree
ton OF %eacoast batteries at numer-
Gus points not contemplated in the gen.
eral scheme for national defense. In
the absence of any modern armament
the secretary OF war ordered the i'm
mediate construction OF temporary
batteries mounting old style rmame
and siege guns. for the defense OF n
number OF exposed localities. including
some which are embraced in the
scheme of national defense.
While no hostile attacks were made
upon our coasts during the war with
Spain, the operations of the American
fleet on the coasts OF Cuba and Porto
Rico have amply demonstrated the
value of coast defences. including
shore batteries and submarine mines,
In resisting naval attacks. IL may be
confidently asserted that the compile
ton OF the projects upon which oper-
atoms are now in progress will prac-
tically insure the safety of our prin-
cipal harbors and ~seacoast cities
against any attacks from the sea. One
other important deduction may also
be drawn from the results of the war:
Viz: the great value and efficiency OF
the rapid fire guns. 1t is gratifying
to report that not only have a consid-
cradle number OF these rapid
fire guns been mounted during the
year, but that provision has been made
for the manufacture and placing of
a large addition to the Number.
Existing projects for seacoast de-
fences contemplate the emplacement
Of o 500 heavy guns OF s. 10. IL and
10 inches calibre, of about 200 rapid
fire guns OF various calibres, and OF
about 900 mOrtars. The estimated
approximate coast of the engineering
work connected with the installation
of this armament is $55, GOO. 900.
Provision has been made for mount
ing 2SS heavy seacoast guns, 25i rapid
fire guns, and 312 mortars. about 81
per cent of the total projected arma-
ment of heavy uns, SO per cent OF
the rapid fire guns. and 81 per cent OF
the mortars. This armament is dis
posed at II localities in % harbors OF
the United States.
The estimates for next year amount
to S4,9f7, 500. This includes torpedoes
for harbOr offences. The total amount
for the Improvement of rivers and
harbors and incidental expenses end
ing June last. was ST.. 161, 799. The
total estimates for the year 1900 on
The same account is sl2. $50. 437 for con
tinuous work and SIS. 1888 for pro-
jects % covered by continuing CON
tracts.
Among the detailed estimates sub
mitted for next years work is Cape
Fear river, below Wilmington. n. c..
$50, 600.