The times., 1899-10-10
DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF.
Annual Report of Col. r.. It. Frank
the Commanding Officer.

the Commanding Officer.
The War Department has received from
Col. Royal T. Frank, Commander of the
ordered merged into the Department of the
East, his annual report. The report states
that there are sixteen fortified places along
the coast Of the Gulf Department, either
completed or approaching completion. The
work has been greatly interfered with by
drifting sand and he suggests the planting
of grass and shrubs to remedy this trouble.
The magazines generally are in good shape,
particularly those of recent construction,
which have double walls.
The small force of the department. only
eleven batteries, has worked hardsbips on
the men and embarrassed the admin!stra-
ton of artillery affairs at the posts. The
men have been. required to keep the guns in
good shape, 10 learn infantry duty, and to
act in the signal corps and hospital corps.
He suggests that healthy barracks be
erected, as many of the posts are located
on small islands. which are often un-
healthy places, and that abundant water
supply and good sewerage should be pro-
vided. Ranges for small arms are also
greatly needed.
Colonel Frank also transmits the annual
report Of Major John H. Calef, artillery
inspector and ordnance officer, who states
that the question of depression position
finders is yet unsettled and that none had
been installed in the Department of the
Gulf. He says: The placing Of them on
low sites, which would be necessitated on
this coast, requiring a high. conspicuous
tower, appears of doubtful value. Take,
for instance, the outlying and important
strategic position of the islands Off Key
West The height of a tower necessary
at the works there and the location Sc
lected would make it very conspicuous
target miles at sea, and from the limited
size OF the island target from the oppo-
site side, from the works now constructed.
Probably other fanking works are pro-
jected, but it viii be next TO an mpossI-
bility to protect the position finder tower
from every point Of the compass.
Annual target practice with reduced
charges is devoid of practical results, and
limited number Of ranges-depending
upon locality and the average position of
a probable enemys heet-with the full
service charge. battle conditions, would
seem to offer best results. The additional
expense would not be proportional to the
advantage gained. and the life of the gun
would hardly be jeopardized with the lin
tied amount of ammunition allowed
The question Of range finders has given
owing to the difficulty of finding a suit
able finder for use on the sea coast. Some
months ago the proposition was made by
an officer of the Army TO erect towers from
which the depression finders could be op-
Grated. tower was accordingly con-
structed at Sandy Hook for experiment, it
being the intention of the department TO
construct similar towers at other forti-
fieations. 1t is not certain, however, that
more towers will be constructed, as Army
experts are announcing themselves as op-
posed to the idea.
The Secretary of War last July appoint
ed a board 10 go to Sandy Hook and in
vestigate the use Of the tower at that
place. The board consisted OF Co'onel
Hasbrouck, Major Story. Captain Ayres,
Captain Harris and Captain Judsol. Thes g
officers witnessed several tests at the
Sandy Hook tower, and submitted report
to the War Department which has not yet
been made public. 1t was learned yesterday
that the officers have reported adversely
to the construction of these towers, ard
the reasons given are similar to those ad-
vanced by Colonel Frank and Major Calef
in their reports.