The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-26
FOUND CERVERA.


completion of the projects upon whlcn
operations are now in progress Will prac,
tically insure the safety of our principal
harbors and seacoast cities against anv
attacks from the sea. RD
One other important deduction may also
be drawn from the results OF the war ar,
the great value and efficiency OF the
rapid-fre gun. 1t is gratifying to report
that not only have a considerable number
of these rapid-fre guns been mounted
during the year, but that provision has
been made for the manufacture and en-
placement Of large additional number
Existing prospects for seacoast defenses
contemplate the emplace lent of about 5U
heavy guns of s, 10, IL and IL inches
calibre, of about 700 rapid-fre guns OF
various caIibre, and of about 100J NOR
tars. These figures are subject to slight
changes as minor revisions are made and
additional localities included.
The estimated approximate cost of the
engineering work corrected with the
installation of this armament is $50. QUO.
900.
Since the Inauguration of the modern
coast defense system, appropriations
amounting to $40, ITO, 1913 have been made
There was allotted from the $50, OC0, 90
defense fund placed at the disposal OF
the President, 1888, 060 for work under
the engineers.
Provision has been made for mounting
299 heavy seacoast gums, 254 rapid lire
guns and 3al mortars, or about 81 per
cent of the total projected armament OF
heavy guns, 80 per cent of the rapid lire
guns and 81 per cent of the mortars. ThiF
rmament is disposed at II localities in
20 harbors of the United States
During the past fiscal year there have
been obtained sites required for the coas
dafenses, in accordance with approved
plans at Boston, eastern entrance 10 Long
Island sound, southern entrance to New
York harbor, Port Royal, S. c., Kei
West, Galveston, Tex, and Puget sound.
Washington. Negotiable are still If
Boston, Narragansett Bay, 4. l., eastern
entrance to Long Island sound, and Puget
sound. The estimates for the next year
including gun and mortar batteries,
make total of S4.9l7.50
Taking up the subject of river and har
Dor Improvements. Gen. Wilson says thai
experience has shown that the system of
providing funds for carrying on contin-
uously for completing certain works ma
heretofore resulted in materially Ieduo-
ing cost. He says significantly that i
this system Is restricted to works full,
justified by the interests of commerce, it
will prove an economical one providing
the appropriat ons are SO made as to
avoid delays in payments to contractors.
He points out that some difficulties ha
already been met in endea voring to con
vince contractors that they may look t,
Congress for full payment If they pusi
their work.
The total amount spent for the i'm
provement of rivers and harbors and Incl
dental expenses, ending June 80 last, WAS
$l7, l6l, T99 The total estimates for the
year 1900 on the same account Is $l2. 1853,
437 for continuous work and SIS, 5S5, 54
for projects not covered by continuing
contracts. The chief of engineers ask
that Congress authorize him to present
special estimates for such works as arr
necessary for next years work inclEd.
ina the following:
Lubec channel. Me-, $50, 600; Bar Har
Dor, Me-. $50, 900; Union River, Me-, $50
600; Carver's Harbor, Me, $26, 900; New
buryport harbor, Mass, 500, 600; harbof
of refuge, Cape Ann, Mass, $3.50. 600;
Gloucester harbor, Mass, 500, 600; Bos-
ton harbor, Mass, project of 1867. 1907
900; project of 1892, $l65, $50; Nantucket,
Mass, harbor of refuge, $780, 600 Woods
Hole channel. Mass, s75,0U0; New Bed
ford harbor, Mass, sa5, 900; Provid noe
river and Narragansett bay. r. l. $780,
400; Newport harbor, R. 1..$s5. 900; Point
Judith, X. I. harbor of refuge, SEQ, COG;
Block Island. r. l., harbor of refuge.
S25, 900; Great Salt pond, Block Island,
r l., $25, 600; Duck Island harb Conn,
$25 600; New haven harbor Of refuge,
Conn.,. $as, 600; New Haven, Conn, break
water, 100000; Bridgeport harbor,
Conn, S25, 900.