New-York tribune., 1902-11-01
TIE COAST DEFENCES.
THEIR CONDITION REVIEWED AND REC
COMBINATIONS MADE By GEN
ERAL GILLESPIE.

Washington. Oct 9L-The annual report Of
General c. l. Gillespie chief OF engineers OF
the army. which was made public to-day. pre-
sents a comprehensive view Of the condition or
forthcations throughout the country. AFTER giving
list OF the thirty-one points at which projects
for permanent seacOast deferCes have been adopt
ed, the report gays that the defence OF the Great
Lakes and the st. Lawrence is under considera-
tion and also projects for defences for Porto Rico
Hawaii Guam, Manila and subig Bay have been
approved by the Secretary OF War. With refer
ence to the last mentioned plans the opinion is
given that construction should begin at an early
day. 1T Is believed" tire report continues that
the time has when II will be no longer possi-
bic TO ignore the question of the insular defences
The Navy Department is properly insistent that
all it's important coaling stations should receive
proper defensive protection to keep off predatory.
attacks from possible hostile fleets
With regard defences for coaling stations, the
suggestion is made that in view Of changes in the
construction of ordnance and ships. Congress
should provide for the appointment OF a tribunal
similar the Endicott board of 1858 for the de-
termination of details. This board 1t is suggested
should have Jurisdiction over the important naval
bases at Manila. Pearl Harbor and Honolulu. as
well the proposed defences for the St Law
renee and the Great Lakes.
The seacoast defences now somewhat more
than 80 per cent completed; twenty-five of the
principal harbors of the United States have
sufficient number of heavy guns and mortars
mounted TO permit an euectlNe deIence against
naval attack and in, the last two years consider
able progress has been made in the installation OF
an adequate rapid fire armament. now the matter
Of first Importance. The existing projects COM
prise 356 heavy guns OF S-nch 1O-inch and 12-inch
calibre; 1884 rapid fire guns, from 2.Ainch TO O.
inch callbre and 5 mortarS. The total cost OF the
engineering work is estimated at $0.Go,OOO includ-
ing what has been completed well what re-
mains to be done. Authority is asked for the re-
II is asserted effective defence within their
range. Up to the present time provision has been
made for emplacing 33i heavy guns, 4S3 rapid fire
guns and 376 Pinch mortars. In the last year the
addition TO the completed armament OF the coast
amounted TO eight 12-inch guns. three S-nch guns
twenty rapid fire guns and thirty-four mOrtars.
II is intended to devote the appropriation of last
June 10 the construction of emplacements for two
12-nch guns. four 10-inch guns forty-four 6-inch
guns and ffty-twO l5-pounders. Report is made
Of sites purchased in the year. and appro-
priation of 100000 for securing still other sites
is recommended
The important of the sites yet to be ac-
quired is at the southern entrance 10 New-York
HarbOr which IS made necessary by the deep water
improvements now in progress there The report
says that, with few exceptions. all harbOrs are
equipped with torpedo stOrehOuses. cable tanks
dtional storage facilities still required at sew
eTa localities, and estimate of 100000 to be
pended under the engineer department Is SUBJ
mitted for their construction.
BATTERIES AT FORT HAMILTON NAMED.
Washington Oct 31-The SecrA+arI oF JVar hoe