Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-16

with Cape Henry defended there
would be real security. The navy
would be free to perform its normal
functions without having superadded
10 these the care of a strategic point
which could well be protected from
the land. An impossible fertilization
at Cape Henry is a sure solution OF
the problem. Every physical and
strategical condition favorable to de-
fsnsiye tactical operations is there.
North, northeast of Cape Henry, the
distance across the channel from the
beach to the farther limit OF the five
fathom lire is only three statute
miles. TO pass this point hostile
feet would not likely risk taking less
than seven or eight fathems of water
as a close approach 10 the north
would tender grounding imminent;
and such course would bring the
war vessels within two and hall
or two and three-quarter miles OF
Cape Hcnry--a range which would
permit the s-inch guns TO penetrate
the lighter armor and allow the larg-
err cannon to perforate the heaviest
battleships.
The total distance between the Vir-
GINA Capes is approximately nine
niles, but large proportion OF this
expansc Is shoal water. There are two
distinct channels. One has been
noted, the way near Cape Henry: the
other is break in the shoal water
nearer Cape Charles. This north
channel may be navigated by ships
drawing twenty -four feet, but the pas
sage is, owing to narrowness, broken
sonadings and shallow places, dan
gerous TO attempt. particularly under
circumstances OF war which would
place the voyagers under the fire Of
Cape Henry not more than five miles
distant.
Favorable for Mines.
Not only is the geographical
position OF the main channel favor
able fer defensive land operations.
but the physical conditions are ideal
Cor mining. The depth of water for
several miles oceanward is especial
ly favorable fer primary or outer de-
Tense Major Wiser. who was quoted
before in this article. wrote In his
'sTactics Of Coast Defense.
"The conditions for submarine
mines are shallow water ana gentle
currents, and
1.-THE principle Of tactics appiica-
bic TO coast defense and the consid-
GRAFTON OF the armament required.
have demonstrated the fact that the
positions of the centers of the artil-
lery defense is a matter OF grave I'M
portance. In order to secure at the
outer mine field the conditions de-
sired To give the long range guns
their greatest effciency--that is, the
destruction of the main armor OF
battleships--at the outer mines. the
distance from the artillery centers TO
the mines must result from the width
OF the harhor and the distance of the
cutter mines from the center of the
entrance"
At Cape Henry, both depth and cur
rent favor mining The depth ranges
from thirty TO -thirty-five feet and the
maximum current varies from two
aud half 20 three and a half miles
an hour. There is further a decided
tactical advantage at the cape, owing
to the tcpc biographical configurstion-
the sand Gnes give a site for emplace-
ments over one hundred feet In aiti-
fnde. a condition which would place
hostile fleet at decided disadvan-
tage.
The Island Fort.
The Fan Board very strongly rec
cmmenied an ashland fort as a pri-
mary factor Of defense and recently
the President laid great stress upon
this adjunct The additional defenses
on the Middle Ground would undoubt
e1iy mako. hnstiie :ngress Almost i'm
possible, for the northern channel
81.