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

md uhysical objections. but in thick
weather Il would be a standing men
ace 10 our coastwise fleet o. SAILING
vessels. many Of whom would ineyita-
bly be wrecked thereon. To place
the island fort wbsre it has been sug-
eested would debar vesse.s OF com
mcroe from using stretch OF water
eighteen feet deeP-an abuse OF
natural advantages. a hazard TO traae
and a jeopardy oil seainens hFes
which would seem TO be inexcusaoie.
These are peace objections but there
are no less serious war disadvan-
tages to be- urged.
! The entire ocean command OF such
a fcrt would be subjected to the fury
Of gales from the north to the south
east In the eastern quadrant ana
would subject the gunners 10 the dis
advantage of spray breaking under
! their cannon. infiicting rain
bow craftsmanship and breeding de-
SPAR In the men who are conducting
the firing. Such conditions are pos
sible even during Gains. for there is
almost continuously a neavy ground
swell frequently On the verge OF
breaking in three OF our fathoms OF
water.
There can be no objection to an
island fort differently situated. About
six and one-haif miles north by west
J of Cape Henry Is site which offers
no menace to navigation and affords
strategic situation incomparabiy SUI
perior to the one suggested by the
! Government. Lying. two or miles
northwest Of the point which has been
considered its command of the north
channel and the way to Baltimore and
Washington would be perfect, since
tho principal batteries would always
be effective southwardly from east to
west-north.west: while for the pro-
lection OF the north channel, the fort
nearer the Cape would have to train
guns northwardly from east to west.
| or IN the face OF the hardest gales
and heaviest seas. with all their handi-
cap OF spray. The fort lying between
the two channels would be subjected.
during gales. TO the full force OF
storms in the eastern quadrant To
1.-The contrary the guns nj the far.
Their location would be materially
sheltered by shoals to the northward
and easterly, affording lee which
would insure accuracy OF Ere and con-
sequent execution
Summary.
Strategically Washington Is rerlov'
ed from the ocean only by its DIS
lance from Herring Bay-aboG'
twent, -four mites. Baltimore is near
or than the mouth of the Pataosco,
practically access. III Liesu! IL al !
without concern as 10 their safety,
hostile ships, once in control OF the
entrance TO the hay could, with
out hindrance traverse the fifty-eight
miles to The Potomac or the enc hun
bred and forty miles to the Patapsco
and proceed with the destruction OF
Washington or Baltimore. Fortress
Monroe admittedly could guard the
approaches to Norfolk, Newport News
ard Richmond. but the fort would
undoubtedly be subjected 20 a con-
certed sea and shore attack which
might result in It's loss, a calamity
{ which would leave the points be-
yond Hampton Roads at the mercy
of an enemy. Battleships could not
navigate the James fer any consider
able distance. but gunboats can reach
Richmond
With adequate Notifications. CON-
raratcvely small number OF artillery
men could hold the Chesapeake safe
ly against attack; without these de-
lenses. the protection OF the bay and
its circunljacent lands must In
evitably demand the services Of fleets
and forces. To avoid a Wholesale
sacrifice Of our soldiers, to afford cofa-
merciaI security and to insure nation
al prestige is the duty Of our gov
eminent; and by no single act may
these conditions better be fulfilled
than by placing al. impregnable forti-
fication at the ccuntry's CHIEF strste-
gle point