The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-11-12

- HE field work of the Forttications
Board is over and the only prob
lem before the members of the
commission to arrange the defenses of
the island is how to make up the, re-
port which all must sign in time for the
departure of the mainland members of
the board in the Alameda. The pos
sble sites for batteries have been visit
ed and the locations all decided upon
and the pieces which will be urged for
each fertilization selected.
Yesterday was spent by the Board in
finishing up the survey of the Diamond
Head locations, the course of the inves-
LEGATIONS being pushed as far around as
Niu. so that the whole of the country
at the eastern end of the island might
be seen. The defenses there against
possible landing parties are matters of
easy adjustment, and the points at
which guns shall be placed We're select
ed. This 1t is understood will belong
to the second line of defense, and the
pieces will be Of lighter caliber than
those in the main batteries.
Saturday was spent by the members
of the Board at Pearl Harbor. The en-
tire situation was gone over thoroughly
and the points at which the highest
power breech loading rifles manufacture
; ed by the government will be placed
were selected. These probably will be
13-inch guns. AS this is the greatest
feature of the project there was little
to be learned from the members of the
Board concerning the plans which final
ly We're approved. From other military
sources however it was learned that
the Board will recommend the turret
plan, the mounting of the heaviest guns
in heavily armored turrets close dowt
to the water line of the shores at botf
sides of the entrance.
In addition to this there will be light
er batteries which will be of service foi
close in work in case there should bt
made an attempt to send boats ashore
AS well, further along the shore, up L
where the entrance to kalihi harDo
opens. there will be lighter pieces plac
ed. which will serve the same purpose
The second line will be an importan
one all around the city, there beins
locations for such batteries from kok'
Head through below Pearl Harbor. Al
of these selected sites will not be utiliz
ed at the present, but the selection
have been made so that the scheme 70
the complete defense may be approves
and whatever is done will be done Il
: the carrying out of this COMPREHENSIVE
line of work.
I'VE have completed the plans on pa
per for the complete defense of tn
: southern side of this island" said Co
. Heuer last evening. There is nothing
to be done by us now except to writ
our report and this will be done With
the next two days, so that we may &c
away in the Alameda on Wednesda
next. We have had "A most pleasan
stay in that we have been at wor
every day, and will have to work har
to get through and away this week.
, We went at the task believing tina
, there We're many problems here an
: have found some pleasing work in get
, ting through with them. We have de
, signed most complete and thoroug
;, defense for the south side of the isl
, and of Oahu, and this is all that W
came here to do We have been yer
I careful in making our plans and W
9 shall submit our report at an early da!
a so as to permit time for its considera
ton before the bill for Qualifications
drawn I'M