The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-26
PUGET SOUND GETS $4,000
ESTIMATES FOR NEXT YEARS
WORK MADE BIZ GEN. WILSON.
In His Annual Report the Chief En-
sineer of the Army Calls Attention
to the Necessity of Coast Defenses
and Implacement of Heavy Guns.

WASHINGTON. Oct s5.-The annual re-
port Of Brig Gen. Wilson. chief engineer.
L s A. has been made 10 the secretary
OF war. Gen. Wilson gives a detailed re-
port OF Notifications. strengthened IN con-
sequence % the war with Spain, and ex-
plains the existing prospects for seacoast
defenses.
The report continues; while 40 hostile
attacks were made upon our seacoasts
during the war with Spain, the operations
OF the American feet on the coasts of Gu
ma and Porto Rico have amply demon
strated the value OF coast defenSes, includ-
ing shore batteries aud submarine mines
in resisting naval attacks. 1t may conf
IDENTIFY De asserted that the completion OF
projects upon which operations are row in
progress viii practically insure the safety
OF our principal harborS and seacoaSt cities
from attacks.
Another important deduction may also
be drawn from the results OF the war.
namely, the great value and efilc!ency or
rapid-hre guns. Existing projects for sea-
coast defeuses contemplate tho impiace-
ment of about $40 heavy guns of 5. IL. II
and 10 inches; of about LOO rapd-fire guns
of various calibers and OF 1859 mortars-
The estimated approximate cost OF the en-
gineer's work, Included with tho installa-
ton OF this work. Is Sao,rJ9,roo.
Detailed estimates for next years river
and harbor work are also given. Among
the harbors TO be improved and the
amount TO be expended are the following:
Coquille river, Or. $1,000: Coos bay and
harbor region. $1,000 Linsiow river, Or,
81. 90: Yaqulna bay, Or, $4,000: Tillanook
bay. Or s25,00; canal at Cascades. Co
lumbia river. Or, $3.50, 03Q: Columbia and
Lower Willamette rivers. below Portland.
Or. $l50, SO; Columbia river. below Tongue
point, Or, $4,000; Grays harbor. Wash,
$685. Puget sound. soon: Everett har-
Wash. $1,000.
Since the Inauguration OF the modern
coast defense go 3, ter appropriations
and there was allotted from the so. ooo. COZ
defense fund placed at the disposal OF the
president s., 900 for work under the en-
g.neers. Provision has been made for
mounting 2ss heavy coast guns. 2o4 rapid
fire guns and Sl2 mortars. about 81 per
cent. Of the total projected armament OF
heavy guns. 30 per cent. OF the rapid-tire
This armament is disposed of at Il To-
calities in Go harbors OF the United States.
The estimates for the next year are:
Gun and mortar batteries. A,Ho.0oo; pur-
chase of land for Qualifications. $4,000
protection, pyeserva ton and repair Of for
tifications. 10000; preparation of plans for
fortifcations, $500. sea walls and en-
baNkmcnts, s.. 500.
Torpedoes for harbor defense for the
purpose Of submarine mines and necessary
appliances 10 operate them, for closing the
channels leading 10 our principal seaports;
for classmates, cable, galleries, etc, 10
render ii possible 10 operate submarine
mines. and for continued torpedo expert
ments. 100000. Total. s4.s17.o 90.
Taking the important subject of river
and harbor improvements, Gen. Wilson
says that experience has shown that the
system of providing funds for carrying on
continuously or completing certain works
has heretofore resulted in materially re-
ducing the cost. He says Significantly
that If this system Is restricted to works
fully justified by the interests of com
merce, II viii prove an economical one,
providing the appropriations are so made
as 10 avoid delays in payments 10 con-
tractors. He points out that some diff
Guilty has already been met in endeaVor-
ing to convince contractors that they may
look TO congress for fun payment il they
push their work. The total amount spent
for. the Improvement Of rivers and harhors
ana incidental expenses ending June 80
last was S9,l6l I99. The total estimates
fer the year 1899 on the same account is
sl2 ss3. i3. for continuous work and s15.5Ss.-
3ii for projects not covered by continuing
contracts The chief Of engineers asks
that congress authorize him to present
special estimates for such works as are
necessary to navigation.