The Savannah morning news., 1904-05-06
COULD HOLD Off
A HEAVY FLEET
HEAVY GUNS OF Fl. SCREVEN
COULD HOLD OFF A FLEET OF SIN
BATTLESHIPS.

one Gun on Land Eaual In Value to
Five on n Observation-Disclosures in
Accuracy of Workmanship With
Man on Land-CannOt Sink Nor
Blow Up a FOrt-NO Great Signifl-
canoe Attached to Fact That Plans
of Forts Are in Hands of Foreign
Governments.
The Geographic dispatch to the effect
that plans of all the United States for
tifications were in the hands of the
War Departments of the largest for
eign governments, created no surprise
among the United States Army men
in Savannah. That such a condition of
affairs exists, they have known for
some time.
Similar plans Of the forts and other
defenses of foreign countries. with
whom there is any probability of a war,
are in the hands of this government.
Little significance is attached to that
fact. however, as it has now become
very difficult matter to take a well
protected fort. In speaking of the
matter yesterday Col. James B. Quinn,
division chief of United States Engin-
GERS, said:
The dispatch conveyed no news to
me. Every army officer knows that
such plans are out. and it is impossi-
BILE to keep them from getting out. And
yet the fact that the strength of a fort
is known, and the number of guns
with which it is equipped. makes lit
tie difference.
Even if we called the officers of the
possible enemys army and navy into
our forts and said: You see what you
have to do if you attack here. You
have all this to compete with, together
with the additions that will be placed
here in case of war, it would not mat
ter.
I'm these days it is no easy matter
to take fort. Take the Far East, for
example. Though the Russian forts
at Port Arthur are equipped with guns
much inferior to those of the japanese
battleships, yet the enemy's feet IS
careful to keep out of range. 1t would
be almost certain destruction for the
attacking fleet to come within range of
the forts.
The Strength of Tybee.
Take our own Fort Screven," said
Col Quinn, and you will see what
can be done. 1t is held now that one
gun on land is worth five on a battle
ship. On this basis, counting nothing
smaller than 6-inch guns, a. fleet of
six battleships, together with all the
small fry that would accompany them,
such as torpedo boats, ETC.. would be
only an equal match, theoretically, for
Fort Screven.
Practically a much larger feet
could be held off without difficulty. BY
means of the new signal stations the
ships could be hit far out at sea. The
advantage in Workmanship is always
with the man on land and against the
man on the vessel.
Again the harbor would be mined
and the attacking fleet would have to
guard against this. The guns of the
fort are concealed and the gunner we'll
protected. Lastly, it must always be
remembered that you cannot blow up,
nor can you sink, fort.
Aid of the Fleet.
1.-The fleet of this country would also
aid the fort. In time of war it is prob
able that Savannah would be made
the base of one feet, if the deeper
water is secured. Stationed here it
could defend both Savannah, Fernan-
dina and Jacksonville. An attacking
fleet would thus be compelled to avoid
being caught in the rear by our feet
While attacking Fort Screven.
The fleet using Key West as a
base could sail up and aid us in a
short while Another fleet would in all
probability be stationed at Norfolk to
guard the center coast, and, if neces-
sary this, too, could sail down and
join the squadron stationed here. TAX
en- altogether, Fort Screven and Sa-
vannah are practically safe from cap
ture."