Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-29
Our Coast Deienses.

One of the lessons or the war tnat
possesses Importance and value just
now is the necessity for a practical
line of coast defense. While the early
and complete destruction of the Span
ish fleet in these waters prevented an
attempt on our coast line, the attempts
made by the American vessels on
Cuban coast cities and at Porto Rico
demonstrated beyond question the val
ue of such defenses and particularly
for such country as the United States.
whose coasts extend many hundreds
and even thousands of miles, and whose
richest cities are located within the
range of attack from hostile fleets of
vessels armed with the modern great
and destructive guns.
The report of General Wilson, chief
engineer of the war department, which
has just been submitted to the secre-
tary of war, possesses, therefore, much
value and interest. General Wilson re-
year just ended, which work was has
tened and broadened out by the pres
ence of Spain's fleet in southern waters
during the early spring, until the
leading sea coast cities of the country
were considered to be in an adequate
state of defense from attack. But it
will be understood in this connection
that much of this work was considered
to be temporary or emergency work,
and not of character for permanent
use. The work now projected, how
ever, includes extensive operations that
the entire coast line of the country.
Defenses have been constructed at
twenty-five different points on the
American seacoast, and four more have
been recently embraced in the general
scheme. The works at these points are
not all completed, but they are being
pushed forward, and the guns are being
built for them as rapidly as possible.
General Wilson calls attention to the
marked efficiency of rapid-fire guns
during the war, and he has determined
to supply the coast defenses with
large number of them.
General Wilson states in his report
that the existing projects for seacoast
defenses contemplate the emplacement
of about 500 heavy guns of eight, ten.
twelve and sixteen inch caliber, of
about 700 rapid fire guns of various cal
iber and of about 1000 mortars. These
figures are subject to slight changes, as
minor revisions are made and addition
al localities included. The estimated
approximate cost of the engineering
work connected with the installation of
this armament is s55,OGO0OO.
While the amount looks large. and
undoubtedly is of considerable magni-
tude it is none too much for operations
of such value and Importance. The
community at large in the sea ports
will not readily forget the feeling of
uneasiness that prevailed while Ger
vera's squadron was at large and pos
sibly meditating a dash upon one or
more of the tremendously wealthy
cities of the northern sea coast. With
this feeling still fresh in mind, any rea-
sonable amount to be expended in plac-
ing the entire coast in a state of full
defense against attack by water will
| and should be considered money well
| spent. The total estimates for next
year, aside from the special fund, as
| above stated, will not exceed s., OOO. 900,
and this is largely for gun and mortar
batteries and the preserving and pro-
lection of Notifications. Nothing seems
| to fit in more easily just now than the
old axiom. I'm time of peace prepare
for war; The times are somewhat un-
easy and uncertain at present all over
the world,and few millions spent lust
now and well spent as these would be,
may save billions in the near future.