Evening journal., 1899-10-23

TERIES AND RAPID-FIRE GUNS
MOUNTED ON DISAPPEARING
CARRIAGES CoNsPIRE TO MAKE
THE DEFENcEs OF THE RIVER
WELL NIGH IMPROBABLE.
The work on the defences Of the
Delaware river during the past year,
which was in charge of Lieutenant
Colonel Charles w. Raymond, OF the
Engineer Corps, presents some inter-
esting features, says a Washington
special, the details of which are dis
cussed in the report recently submitted
to the War Department by General
Wilson.
The defences include two masonry
works Of old type, one of which is III
charge Of an ordnance sergeant. No
new work is contemplated at this site.
The other was garrisoned for a portion
of the year, but the troops have been
withdrawn and modern batteries are In
course of construction at the site. Mod
ern works OF defence are also located at
two other points on the river which
are garrisoned.
The modern batteries built or build
ing for the defence of the Delaware
consist of a battery OF three Pinch
and three 1O-inch guns on disappear
ing carriages, a battery Of two 5-inch
rapid-fire guns, a battery OF three Il
inch guns on disappearing carriages,
two batteries of two 5-pounder rapid
fire guns each, a battery of two 4.72-
inch rapid-fire guns, a battery of six
teen 12-inch mortars and battery Of
two 12-inch guns on non-disappearing
carriages and two 8-inch guns on dis
appearing carriages.
The battery of six 10-inch and Il
inch guns on disappearing carriages
was completed and in full working Or
der at the beginning of the fiscal year,
with all guns and carriages mounted.
v ok Of a minor character was carried
cn during the year, and the construc-
tion Of the parados in rear was almost
completed. The battery proper had
cost to June 80, 1899, s244 ,9S3.43, and
the parados s16,4SO.72.
PROGRESS OF THE WORK.
The two emplacements for 5-inch
rapid-fre guns on balanced pillar
mounts have been completed and ready
since August, 1897. for the guns and
carriages, which have not yet been re-
ceived The battery has cost s19,32L74.
At the beginning of the fiscal year
the foundations of the battery Of three
12-inch guns on disappearing carriages
had been brought up to the level OF the
magazine floors. During the year l3,-
6S2 cubic yards of concrete masonry
were placed in the battery, leaving
about 10000 yards to complete it. On
each of its flanks are to be built two
emplacements for 15-pounder rapid-fire
guns. The work of construction has
just begun and will be carried on sim
ultaneously with that of the main bat
terry.
Excavations for the foundations Of
the battery of two 4.72-inch rapid-ir'
guns began July /. 1S9S and the bat
terry was virtually completed and th'
guns mounted on December 81, 1898
Since then there has been a steady set
tlement of the earthen parapet, neces
stating additional filling from time tt
time. The cost OF the battery to JUNE
30, 1898, was $19,567.2S.
MORTAR BATTERY COMPLETED.
At the beginning Of the fiscal yea
the masonry work OF the battery OF six
teen 12-inch mortars was completes
with the exception of the blast slope
above the pits, and all sixteen carriage
and eight of the mortars were mount
ed ready for service. The other eigh
mOrtars have not yet been received
During the year the electric lighting
firing and telephone systems were in
stalled, the masonry of the blast slope
was built up and 1858 cubic yards Q
sand and earth were placed in the EN-
bankment, almost completing it. Onl
a small amount of work remains to
done about the battery. It's cost so ia
is S210,035.5S.
The two emplacements for S-inch dis
appearing guns were ready for servici
with guns and carriages mounted, q
the close of the preceding fiscal yea
The masonry work of the two en-
placements for 12-inch guns on bal
bette carriages was more than ha
completed. By December 81, 1898, mir
and a-half months after the receipt {
the first notice authorizing their col
structlon. the four emplacements ha
been completed in all details, and G
January 10, 1899, they were turned ov'
to thesartillery garrison. The work
mounting the two 12-ineh guns an
carriages is now in progress. The co
OF the two S-inch emplacements W;
S66,25S.55, and that of the two 12-inC
emplacements $50, ,191.4 40, the funds b
ing derived from the appropriation f
National Defence"
During the year the mOat surroun
ing the fort and the drainage ditch
We're cleaned out, in the interest Of Il
health of the garrison. The work co
$4,000.
The submarine mines planted for Z
defence of the Delaware were cared Z
and repaired until July 10, 1898, VIII
the work Of raising and storing the
began. Daily tests on the cables a.
the casemate apparatus were cont
ued until the middle of August. !
parts OF the system were then put
good order and carefully stored.
POLITICAL NOTES.