The Chipley banner. (Chipley, Washington County, Fla.) 1893-1943, 1898-03-05
PREPARING FOR EMERGENCY
ALL PORTS ALONG OUR COAST
ARE BEING FORTIFIED.
GREAT ACTIVITY AT FORT SUMTER
Orders Sent to All Southern Ports to Have
Guns Mounted and Be Ready for
Any Emergency.

A special from Charleston, s. O.,
says: 1t has just leaked out that orders
were received at Fort Sumter immedi-
ately after the destruction of the bat
tleship Maine for the work of equip
ping the forts on Sullivan's island to
be pushed vigorously.
From the best of authority it is fur.
Their ascertained that similar orders
have been sent to oil southern forts
along the south Atlantic and gulf
states, including the Notifications at
Fortress Monroe, Va; Charleston,
Savannah, Key West and Pensacola.
At Sullivan's island there is scene
of activity. A night force has been
detailed for duty,and the Notifications
are being rushed every hour in the
day. Big gangs of workmen are en-
ployed and the contractors are using
every effort to get things finished at
once. The motar battery is practically
in working order and will do good SER
vice, but the great drawback seems to
he that the force is short on ammuni-
ton. 1t is claimed that there is no
ammunition on the island, and that
the guns are therefore practically Of
no service. 1t is understood, however,
that supply of ammunition will be
sent Immediately by the war depart
ment.
The Spanish cruiser Viscaya is ex-
pected to arrive in Charleston for o
stay after leaving New York. A con-
siderable amount of mail for the ship
has been sent to the city under the
care of the Spanish consul and infor-
nation has been received by that Off
cial that the cruiser will visit the port
later on. She draws twenty.one and
one-half feet and the pilot says she
can easily get into the Charleston har-
Dor.
There is great excitement around
Charleston owing to the fact that the
city would be the first to suffer in case
of war, land the land troops are anxious
and willing to be pressed into service
should it be necessary.
"oTh husneu 1T
A special of Monday from Norfolk,
Va, says: The rush of work at the
navy yards at Fortress Monroe con-
tinues by orders from the department
of war.
The monitor Terror has been ordered
ready for sea in forty-eight hours.
The work Of equipping the fort is
being carried on day and night.
Stirring Times at Key West.
1t is understood from dispatches
that the plans of fortifying Key West
now in progress will be pursued more
speedily and with increased vigor. It
is stated that instructions have been
received from the war department for
the force to be greatly increased, so as
to quickly put the fort in readiness
for the complete protection of that
point Of defense.
Gunsmiths Busy In Alabama.
A Montgomery, Ala, special says:
It has leaked out that the department
of state has arranged with local firm
to repair and put in prime condition
the /, 200 rifles belonging TO the Ala
bama National Guards. The gunsmith
has, in fact, had his force Of hands
working on the guns day and night for
the past several days, and has finished
with about half Of them and returned
them to the various commands from
which they were collected. The mil
itary authorities Of the state decline
to make any statement in the matter,
but it is a well recognized fact that the
trouble with Spain is the cause that
prompted the precaution.