Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-04-07
Philadelphia Ledger, Monaay.


and Camden, whose Population hggrp-
gates Nearly Two Mpiions
Philadelphia Ledger, Monday.
In all the news that haa boen written
md published OF .probnble war with
Spain, little has been said shout tho
defencas OF the Delaware Eivor 1t be-.
been known that for about three years
the United States government hea been
bpsily constructing Notifications Of the
must modern character at Fort Della.
ware and vicinity, and the assurRnce
has been given at various times since
the war cloud became omiDopB that the
defsncss were daily becoming more
effective and powerful.
The ,lefercea Of the Delaware River
consist Of series Of tbree nodnrn forth
ficatinne- Fort Delaware, whore tina
old fort considered imprpgpahle in its
day. has heen partly diamantlei, so that
modern guns can bo mountsd at
Finn's Point, opposite Fort Delaware.
on the New Jersey shnre. whore the
fertilization has been nemed Fort Mott,
and below Delaware City, on the Della
wars shore.
These defensive works are intended
10 protact from invasion by sea the
Titles OF Philadelphia, Camden, Ches-
ter, Wilmington and New Castle, with
population aggreRating between
1900, 600 and 2, 600, 600, and have great
manufacturing Industries, important to
the welfaie OF the country 10 war as we'll
ne 10 peace.
Majur G. W. Raymond, United States
engineer in charge OF the construction
OF tho Notifications, when requested
yesterday to give some oppression Of
opinion about the strength of the de-
fences. said he waa very we'll satisfied
with the work which has heen done,
and he felt that, in case at war, the
system of defences would be ample to
prevent any hostile vessel from ever
ascending the Delaware River. Major
Raymond would not 20 into details re-
Rsrling the work that hns been accom-
plished.
II ia well known, however, that the
works at Fort Mott are we'll advanced.
Three 10 inch rifled guns, mounted on
disappearing carriages, have heen in
place theirs for year. Recently L.
inch gun was mounted, and, re soon
as another carriage is received, second
12-inch gun will be mounted. II 10 also
expected that within few days two
five inch rapid fire. guns will be re-
ceiyad. PrOjectiles and ammunition
and everything that in necessary fol
defensive purposes. are also there.
About thres weeks ago Battery /, oil
the Fourth ARTILLERY, Capt. Chase,
numbering about 60 men, was sent tc
yet completed, ths men are campeo
there Ia tents.
Work ia being rushed at Fort Della
ware and large force of men have been
busy there for several weeks preparing
emplacements for several large moderr
guns, whigh are tu be mounted in {
short time. A number of Sinch rifleC
guns of the old type. which are still
considered very effective at ranges Of I
mile or so, and which formed part al
tue armament uf the old fort, have
heen mounted in tho strongest part o
the old fort and in cnse OF necessity
would be very formidable engines o.
war. There are more thnn Is OF thest
guns.
II 10 understood that the mortar bat
terry on the Delaware shore below Della
ware City is practically complete. Their,
will Ice 10 l2-inch rifled mortars in th'
battery, and everything is ready To-
eight, it 10 said, the carriages havinl
been received and the mortars beinl
expected almost any uny.
This type of mortar throws deck
piercing proiectiles, and they are locatet
out of sight of the enemy at all times
They are fired 10 groups of fonr or NOR
by electricity, the range being ascer
tanned by range finders. Experiment
at Sandy Hook have shown that the fir
ia very accurate, and there can DO n
doubt about the destructive characte
NJ tho prniartslau
Another battery of tho Fourth Ar
tillsry Of 60 men, In command OF Cap.
Everett, is at Fort Delaware. and ocou
piss the barracks there which wer,
recently rebuilt. 1t Is understood tina
the submarine mine part of the defenue
il ready in every way, and that th
mines could be placed in the channe
in a few hours.
Everything about this part Of til
tlefonces is guarded with the atrictes
secrecy, and practically only the engi
neeT officers know where the mines ar
to be placs,i and how they are fired
All the electrical machinery has bee
installed, Ii lie said, and in few day
a powerful search light will he placed j
position, which, in case Of war, will b
used to sweep along tho river an
nssist in guarding the submarine dc
fences, discover torpedoboats. and, !
fact, to examine any craft that is al
cending the stream.
About 81, 600, 900 has been spent thu
far on the system OF defen0es of th
Delaware River, anil 81, ,0o0 MOI
will he necessary TO complete them
accordance with the plans OF the Wa
Department A good allotment wa
secured for the Delaware fortificatior
from the $50, 600, 600 defence fund. Til
modern guIs can be fred every fiy
minutes so that with the present CUR
an Brmor piercing projectile could 1
iirsd at an advancing fleet every minut,
Fort Mott is deemed a very formidabl
battery just as it stands, and With
two or three weeks, when the oth'
guns and mortars are mounted, the d.
fences OF the Delaware River will be /
effective as any on the coaat.
The Rev. Charles e. Buck, former
of Easton, has accepted an invitation
become rector of Rock River psrisl
Montgomery county, Md.
The old man who looks out a. u
world with clear and healthy eyes cam