Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-05-01
A VISIT TO FORT WARREN.

While 10 Boston q few days ago re-
celved q polite invitation from Captain
Edward T. Brown TO visit the great fort
ress, and most gladly accepted the invi-
tation. He also sent me pass allowing
me and my son-in-lsw, j. A. Kimball Of
Boston, to 60 on the government steam
er Lewis. The weather was fine, and the
sail of nine miles down the harbor WAS
much enjoyed.
On arriving at the landing we were
met by Capt. Brown, who at once took
us to his own home, where we partook
OF bountiful dinner with the captain
and his pleasant family. Then we looked
over the great fort. The island on which
the fort II situated contains about thirty
acres, which Is all occupied by the off,
GERS residences, the barracks where the
soldiers are quartered, and the fort and
the great breastworks surrounding II,
with fine parade ground In the centre
where the soldiers are drilled.
Capt. Brown took US round to the great
guns and explained the manner OF load
Ing aud handling them. These guns are
forty feet long and ten inch bore. II
takes 275 pounds OF powder to load one
OF them, and they carry steel projectile
Weighing $50 pounds, and have q range
OF seven miles. II costs $500 to load and
fire one Of these guns. Only think Of
It., II one Of these great guns was placed
on the common on Paris Hill it would
throw q ball weighing more than 500
pounds more than two miles beyond Nor
way village.
There are five Of these guns of the same
pattern, all mounted on great carriages
behind the bresstworks. The carriages
are - constructed that after the guns
are loaded they can be raised above the
embsnkment and discharged, and Imme-
diately return to their places so that the
men who work the guns are completely
protected from danger. This summer
two more guns are TO be mounted,
twelve-inch bore and having a range OF
nine miles.
Here are two rapid firing guns carry
ing ball Of thirty-fve pounds, capable
Of being fred at the rate Of ten times 3
minute.
All Of the old guns that have looked
down so frOwningly and yet 80 peace
fully so MANY years are condemned "a
worthless and sold "a old iron. The
great iron clad wsrships OF the present
day are too much for them, and they
have TO give way for more powerful
weapons Of defence.
The fort la now gsrrisoned by two
hundred men and commanded by a major
and two captains. and Ia the only one
now gsrrisoned In the hsrbor. Capt
Brown has now l03 men under his com.
mand.
A few OF the men were dressed 10 full
uniform doing guard duty, hut the most
Of them had their working clothes on
and were employed working and clear
ing up about the grounds. When we
passed them, each one, whether In his
full uniform with his gun and fixed bay
onet, or overslls with his spade or hoe,
would stand erect and give the military
salute. which WAS always politely re-
turned by the captain. Capt. Brown gave
his whole afternoon To showing US abou,
the great fort aud accompanied us to the
same steamer that carried US over.
Capt. Brown 10 a Paris boy. the son OF
the late DR.. T. II. Brown Of Paris Hill
He was educated at West Point and has
given his whole life TO the service OF his
country. He IL now In the nrime Of life
and full vigor OF manhood. He welcomes
his old friends In the most friendly and
courteous manner, and never forgets hi;
native town. II. r. HAMMOND.