The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-22
NEW YORK'S DEFENSES.
How the HarbOr wouId Be Protect
ed I'm Case of War

ed in Case of War.
The officers of the United States Army
declare that so far as new artillery
weapons for land service are concerned,
Uncle Sam is ready TO meet Spain or
any ally she is likely to have.
The pressing need is not for guns, but
for men. In case Of war the first neces-
sity would be the doubling OF the ar
tillery>forces.
The defenses of New York are of the
first importance should war be declared.
guarded by the Notifications at Sandy
Hook Fort Hamilton and Fort Wads-
worth. The plan will not be complete
until Norton's Point and Gravesend Bay
are also fortified
Entrance through Long Island Sound
is guarded by Fort slocum. Fort Schuy-
Ter and Willets Point. The great guns
of these coast defenscs have enormous
power.
Sandy Hook is, OF course furnished
with the mightiest engines. 1t has the
greatest number of high-power guns, for
upon it rests the heaviest burden.
Much apprehension exists relative
is true that they can send projectile
twelve or fifteen miles, but their fire
could not be accurate. and each time q
twelve-ineh rifle is discharged IL costs
about $500 Therefore, the firing or these
big guns is reserved for close range.
As a matter of fact, firing would not
begin until the range was WITHIN Tour
or five miles. At this distance the mr.
ing can be made reasonably accurate.
The ma nner in which the battle against
an invading feet would be conducted Is
matter of timely interest.
The horizon line from Sandy Hook Is
from eight to ten miles. Directly ship
| was sighted officers and men would be
sent TO their stations. The commanding
officer would take his place In the con-
ming tower. Not human being could be
seen.
The observers and range-fnders would
begin their work. The sea is marked of
| and charted in imaginary squares of l0'
wards each. As often as four times q
| minute the observers could tell on what
| square a ship would be a few seconds
| later with absolute certainty. The ON
| GERS know how many seconds II Will take
| their projectiies to go the distance
| Hence the firing is conducted with math
| ematical accuracy.
The mortar batteries would first oper
| the big guns. toward the horseshoe. as
| they send their projcctiies up into the
| air.
| Each mortar battery consists of six
! teen guns, divided into groups of foui
| each. There is q magazine for eacf
| group. earth and masonry work making
| four divisions of the pit. There is :
| powder room and shell room, and {
place for the cannoneTs to take refuge in
| The mortars are short in comparison
| with the rifles. They are designed Il
throw projectiles high into the aid anC
| drop them on the decks of ships, th'
| least protected part Of the modern vessel
/ The mortar batteries would open fire 4
/ 1905 or S.001 yards range. The mortars
! which are breech-lcaders, are aimed 10y
/ men In the pit. who can see nothing
! They are told by the officers at the range
| finder to point the mortars at possibly 6.
| degrees in the air and in certain direc
| ton marked by degrees. The whole bat
! terry is fired at once, so that the proJec
! tiles will rain over an entire square, an'
| IL a ship is within that square 1t mus
| suffer.
| If this vessel or others should escape
! damage from the mortars then the eight
| inch guns would open fire. The high
| power rifles send an oblong steel projec
tile directly against vessels side. 1
| the ei2ht-inch gun strikes a Vulnerable
spot IL might sink the ship. but otherwis'
| il way do no great amount of damage a
1 long range. Ii costs about $50 to fire al
! eight-inch gun.
If the fleet continues to approach. tn
| ten-inch guns would open fire. and thes'
| can be executed at long range at a COS
| Of $3.50 per Shot. And If the ships OF Z
fleet are not disabled, but come on, tn
big tWelve-ihrfi guns would certainly sinl
every vessel within range