The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-11-04
REPORT SHOWING PROGRESS OF
COAST DEFENSE.
GUNS AND SITES REQUIRED
Little Over Half of Work Has Been
CompIeted-Further Needs Are
Pointed Out.

Washington, Nov. 2.-The annual
report of General G.. L. Gillespie, chief
of engineers of the United States
army, presents a comprehensive view
of the condition of Notifications
throughout the country. After CIV
ing a list of 81 points at which pro-
iects for permanent s%eacoast defenses
have been adopted, the report says
the defense of the great lakes and
the st. Lawrence is under considera-
ton, and also that projects for de-
tense at Porto Rico, Hawaii. Guam,
Manila and Subig bay have been ap-
proved by the secretary of a
With reference to the last mention
ed plans the opinion is given that
construction should begin at an early
day.
ut is believed" the report con-
tinues, "that the time has come when
it will be no longer possible to ignore
the question of insular defenses. The
navy department is properly insistent
that all the important coaling sta
lions should receive proper protec-
ton"
Wants Board Appointed.
With regard to defenses for coaling
stations the suggestion is made that
in view of changes in the construc-
ton of ordance and ships congress
should make provision for the appoint
ment of a tribunal similar to the Endi-
colt board of 1888 for the determine
ton of details. This board should
have jurisdiction over the naval bases
at Manila, Pearl Harbor and Homo
lulu, as we'll as the proposed de-
lenses for the St. Lawrence and the
| great lakes.
Somewhat more than so per cent
of the %seacoast defenses are now
completed, 25 of the principal har-
bors have a sufficient number Of
heavy guns and mortars to permit an
| effective defense against naval attack
and during the past two years con-
siderable progress has been made in
the installation of rapid-ire arma-
ment, now the matter of first choice
The existing projects comprise 356
heavy guns of S-inch, 1O-inch and Il
inch calibers, 1924 rapid-fire guns
from 2.24 inch to 6-inch caliber and
544 mortars.
The total cost for the engineering
work is estimated at. $50, 0O0, 900, in
Gliding what has been completed, as
we'll as what remains to be done,
Recommendation is made that author
ity be given for the resumption OF
the manufacture of mortars which
it is claimed, are an effective defense
within their range.
Many Guns in Position.
Provision has been made for plac
ing 331 heavy guns, Ash rapid-fire
guns and 376 12-inch mortars. Dur
ing the year the addition to the com
pleted armament of the coast amount
ed to eight Pinch guns, three 8-incf
guns, 20 rapid-fre guns and "a NOR
tars. 1t is intended to devote the ap
preparation of last June to the con
struction of emplacements for two
12-inch guns, four 10-inch guns, a.
6-inch guns and 81 ~15-pounders.
Report is made of sites purchased
during the year and an appropriation
of $4,000, 900 for the purpose OF sc
curing still other sites is suggested
The nest important site yet to be &C
uuired is one at the southern en-
trance to New York harbor, made nee
essary by the deep water improve
ments now in progress.
With few exceptions all harbors ar
now equipped with torpedo store
houses, cable tanks and mining case
mates. AS mining classmates and &C
ditional storage facilities are still re
ouired in several localities, an est
mate of $1O0, 900, to be expended ur
der the engineer department, is sui
mitted for their construction.
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