The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-24

.1HSe from probable enemy's base. IL
tue Instance be great, certain limitations
materially affect the defense that is neces-
sary. Naturally; the question OF economy
mas 10 De met, and because Of economical
generally cut down. But when we learn
mat fleet should constitute the guard
element. IL would seem IL all considera-
tion or economy had been cast aside. Two
tWelVe-inch guns in Gruson turret will
cost about one-half OF thes first cost of a
tnlrd-class cruiser, and TO say nothing of
the ability of a brace of twelve-inch Cru
son-turreted guns to stand off fleet, the
shore turret with it's crew OF some twenty
hve men costs practically nothing TO main
tam as compared with the bills of the ships
Tor 1uel, repairs, etc. 1t is matter of
record that the cost of maintenance on
some or our vessels, even in peace time, has
peen as high as $1,000 per day per ship.
In placing shore batteries for the de-
lenSe OF an entrance, the engineer first
studies the character ant nature OF the
ground lying closest to the channel ap-
proaches, and he also closely notes the
trend Of the channel itself. Nowadays, the
tendency on the part of engineers seems
10 be toward detached works placed at
considerable distance apart and concealed
as much possible from the view of the
enemy. The main point is TO prevent the
enemy reaching the object defended by the
guns, for once the enemy pierces to the
OBJECT that is protected the usefulness OF
the fortification ceases. on this theory II
has been reasoned that il a fleet could
nave pushed by Fort Sumter during the
war OF the rebellion, and reached Charles
ton, this fact in itself would have caused
not only the position TO be untenable, but
It's usefulness would have ceased the very
moment Charleston was reached.
Having determined the number and char
acter or guns necessary to hold given
place, the engineer Is next concerned with
the question of mounting these pieces. I'm
der the provisions of the new law gov
erning the army the artillery officers Sc
lect the type of guns and moants to be
employed. but in the actual erection OF
works the engineer has control. Until
he al raratfn In tnH
states has been to employ disappearing
guns, supplemented by mortar batteries,
but recent congressional action would seem
TO indicate that the construction of further
mortar batteries is decidedly doubtful, and
there also seems to be some doubt as to
the future of the disappearing gun.
Every port calls for its own peculiar de-
Tense, as for example, San Francisco de-
mands form of protection differing from
what is required at New York. In the one
instance we find city lying compare
lively close to the sea. with high hills sur
rounding the port entrance, and in the
other case low sandy beach bordering the
channel entrance with the city lying in
land at distance of some twenty miles
from the bar.
THE COUNTRY OF THE CANAL.
Looking at the physical conditions of the
Nicaragua canal one finds in the vicinity of
Greytown Che eastern entrance) low
marshy country, stretching far out toward
the sea and finally losing itself among the
innumerable sandbars of the coast. In
der TO reach the town from seward re-
course is had to a pier fully twelve hum
dred feet i'm length which bridges the shall
low water lying Immediately in its front.
Back OF the town is a tangled, thick
swamp, admirably adapted TO protect the
shore defenSes from rear and flank attack.
Through this swamp the canal Is destined
To run until Ii reaches the San Juan river
at a point eighteen miles back of Grey
town.
Emerging from Lake Nicaragua, the
country TO the westward is rolling and
open, and between the lake and the sea
coast the distance is only twelve miles.
This rolling country continues throughout
the twelve miles stretch, and in general
appearance presents an almost park-like
aspect. Here, on this plateau. the Their
mometer never registers less than % de-
grees Fahrenheit and rarely more than ~
degrees. 1t Is a most healthy section, and
by reason of being constantly under the
cooling influences of the northeast trade
winds the region is delightful one to
live in.
The Pacific coast entrance to the Nicara-
qua canal is at the town of Brito, and the
port of Brito, We find, is backed by bluffs
of considerable height The harbor is small.
and before 1t can he utilized in connection
with the canal considerable dredging must
be carried on. The port, however, can be
approached TO within gun range by war
ships of heavy tonnage.
TORPEDOES AND BIG GUNS.
To defend the canal entrances guns of
sufficient calibre must be mounted to Off
set the fighting efficiency of the most pow
erful ships that can be brought against the
works. AS the canal will have depth cap
able of floating the largest vessels, such
ships, if the channels have been cleared of
torpedoes by countermining otherwise,
may be brought within close range. AT any
rate, water of sufficient depth will exist
to float them. and, aside from the fire of
shore guns nothing will prevent them from
taking up whatsoever position they choose.
The heaviest gun which will hereafter be
mounted on any ship of the United States
navy will be the twelve-inch rifle, throw
ing an S50-pound shell. AS this gun is
deemed sufficiently powerful to attack the
heaviest armor plate forged to-day, Ii is
safe TO say that the Nicaragua batteries
will not contain guns of larger calibre. The
army twelve-inch rifle throws projectile
weighing 1850 pounds, or 200 pounds heavier
than the navy twelve-inch. 1t may be said,
in passing, that the guns in the United
States sea-coast defenses employ heavier
shells than corresponding calibres in the
navy. In the navy guns high velocitieS and
corresponding fiatter trajectories have been
the main consideration, and these results
have been secured through a sacrifice in
shell weight. With the introduction of
smokeless powder and the high velocities
afforded, ii is possible that a tendency to
increase the weight of the navy shells of
the United States WILL before long, make
itself manifest.
While the United States have largely en-
plOyed until now disappearing guns and
mortar batteries for sea-coast defense, il is
interesting TO note the different types of
Notifications adopted by the great Euro
pean powers. Many. of these types, how
ever, are quite antiQuated. In Europe, the
heaviest English guns mounted in sea-
coast defenses, the 100-ton riled muzzle-
leaders at Gibraltar and Malta, in bar
bettes. fire over high paraDet and have
a complete system of under-cover loading.
that the gun alone is exposed to direct
fire.
The French mount the great majority of
their sea-coaSt guns en- barbette-
The Kings Bastion, Gibraltar and ST.
LENA Fort. Malta, are protected by curved
front shielded classmates
Tiers of guns protected by iron-clad fronts
are found in the English Notifications at
Horse Sand and Norman's Land, Spithead;
and a one-tier system, similarly protected,
at Spitback Plymouth and Portland Break
water forts, and also at Fort Cunningham,
Bermuda.
Grason batteries are found at Langhit-
jensend and in the German defenses on the
Baltic and North seas.
Turret batteries exist at Dover, England.
and at Fort MSlutine at Kronstadt.
The GrusOn turret is used at various
points by the Germans, and in the de-
lenses of Holland and at Spezzia and Tar
rento. Italy.
Batteries protected only by shields. the
guns standing out in the open. are found
in the English defenses at Gibraltar and
in the New Tavern fort.