The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-11-02
HARBDR FORIF|CAN0NS.
Twenty-Five Ports of United States
Now Able to Resist Naval
Attack.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS.
Gen, Gillespie Shows What Has Been
Done and In Being Done to Pro.
tect Against Foreign Attacl-NeN
Sites Being Sought For ut Prin-
ciDal Cities.

Washington, Oct. 31.-Twenty-five
of the principal harbors of the Unit
ed States now have sufficient num-
Der of guns and mortars mounted to
permit of effective defense against
naval attack, says Gen. Gillespie, chief
of engineers, in his annual report. He
briefly describes the original project
framed by the Endicott board for the
coast defense and shows how it has
been amended from year to year. The
important changes were the provision
for rapid-tire guns, reduction in the
number and caliber of heavy guns and
the elimination of armored defenses.
Provision has been made for emplac-
ing 325 heavy guns, 327 rapid-fire guns
and 376 mortars. Now Gen. Gillespie
wants sites for more new mortar bat
teries, and for gun and mortar batter
les asks an appropriation of $4,000, 900.
The Notifications board having de-
clared pneumatic gun batteries obso-
lete, the department has discontinued
work on such batteries at Fishers Is
land and Port Royal. An estimate of
100000 is submitted for the preser-
walton and repair of fortified tons,
which is less than one-half of one per
cent. of their value. During the year
negotiations have proceeded for the
purchase of fortifcation sites in Bos-
ton harbor (two), in Narragansett
(three), New York harbor (extension
of Fort Newton, three sites), Port
Royal, San Francisco, San Diego, St.
Johns river, Fort St. Philip and Cape
Henry, Va. With few exceptions these
sites must be procured by condemna-
tion. An estimate of 100000 is SUBJ
mitted for purchases of sites.
For the construction of submarine
mines and storage facilities an esti-
mate of 100000 is submitted, and
for searchlights appropriations of
100000 for installation and of $780,
600 for mains and conduits are
urgently recommended. The expe-
rience at New York has shown that
economy in installation is promoted
by using the fertilization plants for
post illumination also. The estimates
submitted will fully equip with
searchlights four more important
harbors.
Gen. Gillespie takes up in detail
the state of the defenses in each of
the fertilization districts, showing
just what has been done during the
year at each of the important points,
and what is projected.
River and Hnrbor Work.
Gen. Gillespie also makes an extern
sive report upon river and harbor
works and discusses each improve
ment at considerable length, besides
submitting estimates for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1908.
These estimates are from rs to
80 1-3 per cent. less, and in some in
stances so per cent. less than those
of the local engineers in charge Of
river and harbor Improvement. Gen.
Gillespie's totals are as follows:
Under continuing contracts, &c.
4s9,377; rivers and harbors (generaD,
s12,543, 600; examinations, surveys and
contingencies. 100000; under Cali
fornia debris commission, $4,000;
prevention of deposits in New York
harbor, S7o,2Go; enlargement of Gov.
ernor's island, New York, $5OO,OOO.
Chicago Drainage Canal.
Gen. Gillespie refers to action
taken regulating the flow in the Chi
cago drainage canal, and says that
the trustees are undertaking the en-
largement of the waterway of the
Chicago river with a view of provid-
ing for the full discharge required
by the state law without causing
such current as will injure the inter-
ests of navigation.