Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-11-29
DEADLY MORTAR PITS.
How Uncle Sam is Defending His
Coasts.

Although the. systematic fortifca-
tions Of the sea coasts Of the United
States were not begun until about 10
years ago, American military experts
are convinced that, so far as those
portions Of the defensive works al
ready completed are concerned, the
United States Is better equipped for
resisting a foreign invader than any
other nation in the world. Besides
the most complete organization, the
most modern types of Notifications,
disappearing and rapid-fire guns and
submarine apparatus, the most erect
i've explosives and the most perfect
system for ascertaining, plotting and
communicating the exact position and
range Of approaching vessels, there Is
one important feature in our fixed
armament that Is absolutely unique,
no other country having yet been
ar-sighted enough to adopt 1t.
This is the coast-defense mortar,
which is mounted in a peculiar kind
f-~'
consisting Of a circular pit. lined with
a cement wall, and banked up with
earth so as to form an immense
mound. In some cases the concrete Is
20 or 30 feet thick and the embank-
ment may extend to distance OF
more than 100 feet on the most ex-
posed side. The entrance Is hidden
behind a clump Of bushes, or In some
other way, and within the earthworks,
on the least exposed side, there are
cement lined passages leading from
the exterior to the Interior and CIV
ing access to the magazine rooms and
storerooms, and the telephone and
telautograph booth, where communi-
cation Is maintained with superior Of
ficers and the range finding or obser-
walton stations. All necessary depart
ments are subterranean and provided
with thick cement walls. The obser-
walton or range-finding station Is
usually at a distance from the pit.
There are usually from two to four
mortar pits in battery.
While field mortars proved very
effective in the Civil war, and have
shown their efficiency In other mill
tary operations In various parts OF
the world, the coast defense mortars
have never yet been thoroughly tested
in actual warfare.
While the gun proper Is a cannon
used for firing directly at the hostile
works ships, or men, the mortar is
one that throws its projectiles In such
a manner that they will descend upon
the enemy from above; the howitzer,
which is used only as field piece
being capable of being used for both
purposes. The length Of the most
modern guns is about fifty times as
great as the calibre or interior dame
ter while the howitzer Is exceedingly
short in proportion to its calibre. and
the mortar much shorter still.
The mortar constitutes a kind OF
aerial mine, dropping large quantities
mines can be cut out by the invading
Ships they are frequently defective
and when they are in good working
order they are liable to do injury to
the fleet with which they are intended
to cooperate, as has 30 frequently
happened in the Russo-Japanese war
The mortar, on the contrary, Is sure
safe and effective. 1t is altogether be-
yond the enemy's reach, for the posi-
ton that 1t occupies cannot be located
and it is impossible for 1t to be dis
lodged by the guns from a fleet, as a
ship cannot use a mortar and the pit
is so constructed as to be absolutely
impregnable to direct fire. In actual