The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-10
WANTED, A RANGE FINDER.
cor. FRANK POINTS OUT 4 PRESS
ING NEED OF COAST Defence.

No Satisfactory Drills Possible Now-Army
Officers Report Against the Depression
Range Finder-TarRet Practice-state
of the Defsnoes of the Gulf Coast.
WARRINGTON. Oct. 9-Co Royal 7. Frank
has filed at the War Department his annual re-
port as com mandsr OF the Department OF the
Gulf. which has recently been consolidated
with the Department OF the East. He calls
particular attention to the condition OF the
ooast defence and the absence OF satisfactory
drills. He says:
There are at this date sixteen fortified
places along the coast line In this department
with modern works and armament completed
or approaching completion. At some OF those
works drifting sand has been found so serious
an obstruction as greatly to interfere with the
operation OF guns and carriages and render
their proper care and preservation impossible.
This can only be remedied BY cultivating q
growth OF grass suited to such localities or Of
bushes and small trees. It Is. In my opinion.
matter OF such Importance as to require the
immediate attention Of the proper depart
mont. Magazines are generally reported in
good condition and dry. especially those Of
recent construction with double wall; others
vary from good to unserviceable.
AT none OF the posts In this department has
any system OF range and position finding or OF
communication been installed. Until this 10
done. no satisfactory drills or instruction can
be had at any Of them. Tho only range and
position finders thus far adopted for service
are OF tho depression type. These are well
adapted to high sites where ample protec-
ton can be given them. but for low
sites. which characterize all Notifications
on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts south
OF the Delaware. they must. II used.
be mounted in towers to give them
the necessary height. They thus become not
only the most conspicuous objects in the sur
rounding landscape. but 1t 10 impossible to
give them proper protection. To epable these
indispensable auNiliarios to Withstand tho
ordeal Of battle. they should. il possible. have
a. much protection as is given to the batteries.
which form 40 large a part OF the new arma-
mont and the use OF which is entirely depend
ent upon position finding
The Board on the Regulation Of Coast Ar
coast artillery which have been published. but
TENS aud methods therein prescribed have
been made to determine their ,practicability
seems inadvisable to install untried methods
OF fire control at new pests yet. until an i'm
pos bs Is and such
made to EQUIP the post Q, Fort Waisworth. =.
purpose Of max ing such tests. In my opinion
it isy very important that the board which pre-
haustive tests OF the methods prescribed in
them before they are adopted for general use
on na H 'hs o. ns R
in Wow OF the necessarily limited allowance OF
service AMMUNITION for target practice. isearn-
The present small force of artillery troops
suffieent to provide about one.hsii OF tbs
number OF men required to form one relief for
the service OF the guns now mounted 30 small
n ~ nj nj " nnk n n Nj ~ narin fEr
the new works and their ornaments exceed
inRly arduous but greatly en- barrasses the
adm istration OF military affairs at posts.
Many Of tho new posts are located on small
islands. sand spits and other isolated and often
nnhesishu Poitieons With unattrac,ive sur
imperative duty to the troops station ed there 10
make these posts as attractive and healthfu az
possibls.
AT some posts no range for small arms prao-
tice exists and at others. due to unavoidable
these reasons. and more especially on account
OF the large mum Dor OF recruits now in the
ranks the psrcentaGss attained are re- Sery low"
(which would be necesstatsd on this coast.
OF doubtful value. Take for Instance the out
lying and importsnt stra rs position OF tho
necessary at the works there and the location
pointed out to mo as the one selected. would
make very conspicuous target miles at sea;
and from the limited size OF the island, a tar
get from this opposite side from the works now
constructed. Probably other nankinR works
are projected but it will be next to an imp posi-
bility to protect the position finder towers
from every point o. the compass
Annual target practice ~ tn reduced charges
Is devoid OF practical results: and a limited
humble OF ranges depending upon locality and
the average position OF a probable enemy's
fleet with the fun service charge battle con-
ditionsl would seem to offer best results The
additional expense would not be prOpOrtionate
to the advantage gained and the life OF the gun
could hardly be JeopardiZed with tho limited
amount OF ammunition allowed"
The question OF range finders has given the
War Department considerable trouble. owing
to the difficulty OF finding suitable ono for use
on the coast. Some months ago the propo-
sition was made by au officer Of the army to
erect towers from which the depression finders
could be operated. A tower was accordingly
constructed al Sandy Hook for experiment it
being tho intention OF the Department to con-
struct similar towers at other Notifications.
II is BOT certain. however. that more towers
will be constructed. as army experts are an
nOuncing themselves as opposed to the idea.
The Secretary OF War last July appointed
board to go to Sandy Hook and Investigate the
use Of the tower at that place The board re-
ported adversely to the construction OF these
lowers and the resson given was similar to
those advanced by Col. Frank and Major Calef.