Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-07

miles IN length. The guns which are
mounted in this fort are of modern
construction, far-reaching and of the
largest caliber used In works of this
Kind. A strong force of men belonging
to the Royal artillery are kept within,
ready for service at the word of COM
mand. The barracks of the garrison
are all in close proximity, being built
at points outside the line of the glacis.
Taking the barracks, the hospital the
chapel, the library, and the officers
quarters together. large area about
the outside of the glacis of the fort is
| occupied by military establishments
devoted to the care and comfort of the
soldier. A large portion of the glacis
| is said to be undermined and provided
with galleries and other desiderata for
/ the maintenance of prolonged siege.
Until these Notifications We're complet
ed, as well as those at Georges island,
/ visitors with kodak or pad were prohib-
tied from entering the works. The
rules are now, however, relaxed so far
that by the use of little red tape in
| judlcious hands admission may be OBJ.
tanned to the citadel, but the kodak and
the pad are still contraband of war to
the sentry at the gates at any fort.
Signal System.
The citadel has an adjunct in the
shape of signal apparatus which at
its height is very effective in clear
weather. 1t is visible not only in all
parts OF the city, and by the ships of
the fleet in the harbor, but to the
forts lying within the radius of it's
prescribed reach. Two tall heavy
spars, with yard arms that cross from
east to west, large wicker spheres OF
two sizes, and code of international
and mercantile signals. comprise the
appliances for use during the day BY
holsting combination of these on the
mastheads and at the yardarlns the
quarter that vessels appear in the off
ing, the rig and character of the vessel
are indicated. The merchants OF the
city by supplying the signal station
with their private flags, are shown the
ownership of the craft by the display
of this flag on the smaller Of the two
masts The build of the two vessels,
whether, steamer, barque, brig or
schooner is given on the larger mast
by flags. When reported as in the
citing, the spheres are hoisted on the
yard arms, east or west as the vessel
may be sighted. If vessel is in dis
tress-the flag that tells what her de-
nomination is. At night lanterns show
ing colored lights are used, but how to
read them is known only to the soldiers
who are appointed to handle them, OF
their instructors. On gala days every
halyard to these masts and yard arms
is lined with flags from top to bottom.
q vol Of 1NN Nf
family on visit, or the occasion OF
the kings birthday or coronation day,
are the occasions Of lavish display
CT the national colors, and OF bunting
in every color and In every shape of
flag. A gun on the glacis of the
Portland another on Georges island,
tell the government time of 10 o'clock
at noon, and at nine O'Clock at night,
respectively. When the 8 o'clock shot
is fired every soldier is supposed to
be in his quarters for the night.
The Town Clock.
The city need be at no expense for
clocks. Lying close under the shadow
of the fort is what has grown to be
known as the town clock 1t is queer
old wooden structure, which probably
on this continent has not it's counter
part, architecturally. When it was
built there are none living to tell. But
it receives the same care and atten-
ton that all the other property of John
Bull receives and looks end sounds as
ifit nigh run on forever. Clocks sound
the hours at the ordinance yard, but
they are not antiques Of the citadel
type, nor do they keep better time, ii
they reach the ears of as many Of the
good people of the city.
Military All Important.
In nothing more strikingly than in
the original mapping out and location
of the waterside landings does the de-
termination to make all other interests
subservient to the military necessities
of the governing power crop out. Four
of these landings, almost equi-distant,
fly the insignie of their ownership
the Union Jack. Passing up the har-
Dor, they come in the following order:
First, the engineer or lumber yard
wharves, in charge of the royal engi-
neer corps. Here there are storehous-
es, workshops and Offices, for the re-
quirements of the controlling depar-
ment. Repairs to government prop
erty, in the shape Of barracks, offices
or Notifications, receive preparatory
mechanical attention in these yards,
and from this point are sent to their
several destinations. Second, the COM
missariat wharf, with storehouses for
supplies such as it's name indicates,
and with docks for the boats which
are required to take military supplies
to the several forts on the harbor.
Two blocks are occupied as wood and
coal yards, and as clerical offices, in
the rear of the waterside property.
Third, the ordinance wharf and yards,
with buildings for the storage of all
kinds of munitions of war; armories,
gunshops, guard house and clock
which strikes the half hours as we'll
as the hours. Fourth, the naval or
dock yard, having a frontage on the
water Of some one-half mile. There
are here some pretentious residences
for minor officials of the naval depart
ment and naval storehouses for stores
Of every kind pertaining to the
navy.
Always Ready.
A large force of workmen is con-
stantly employed in the ship carpen-
tiers, boat builders and blacksmith
ON n ,f <,f e., ;.l,