The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-19
ARMAMENT TO BE USED FOR
COAST DEFENSE AND SUCH
AS TO BE EFFECTIVE.
Immediate Improvement Of Coast De
Tense Is Recommended by
Secretary Garrison.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s.-Guns OF
greater range and power than any
that could be arrayed against them
were asked for American coast de-
lenses In a report OF the army board
submitted by Secretary Garrison and
made public to-day by the House Ap-
preparations committee The board
advised that the old type I2-inch
guns and mortars ARE not equal in
range and power to major calibre
guns afioat"
Mr.. Garrison recommended the i'm
mediate improvement OF some OF the
coast defenses so that the range OF
the old 12-inch guns could be in
creased to 10000 yards. and the board
suggested that wherever IL was neces-
sary TO construct new works the
larger guns should be sixteen inches,
45-calibre weapons.
The Report.
The boards report said in part:
After full consideration OF the
question presented by the secretary
OF war the board finds:
That the old type Pinch guns
and mortars are not equal in range
and power to major calibre guns
afioat
That by such minor changes I'm the
carriage OF the old type Pinch gun
at present emplaced as will permit
an elevation OF fifteen degrees, and
by the provision OF a certain proper
ton Of lighter projectiles of approx
mately 700 pounds weight, an effec-
tive range OF about 10000 yards can
be given these guns: that these
changes should be made
That the great majority OF our a.
inch guns. with certain slight changes
which have already been ordered. and
by the supply of a portion OF the pro-
!cctiles OF lighter weight than the
heaviest now furnished. are suitable
IN power and range 20 meet any that
may now De brought against them.
That a policy should be adopted
or providing. through annual approprf.
atiOns. for such undermining OF forti-
hcations as will result in keeping
pace with the improvement IN arma-
ment afoat
That in the case Of these works
where undermining involves very ex-
tensive changes In emplacements, gun
carriages. etc. IL will be policy TO
construct new works and provide new
ornaments adequate for the demands
Of the situation.
That the old works should be held.
when practicable and desirable, as a
secondary line Of defense.
Use Major cslibre.
That wherever Il may be necessary
20 construct new works. especially az
important points. such as entrances
OF our principal harbors. naval bases.
etc, the major calibre guns should be
~ least a 1Ginch .45-calibre gun.
mounted so az 70 have the greatest
possible protection and allaround
fire where 70 may be necessary 20
have such FIRE
THAT the mortars 20 be- Installed IN
future should be- Of not less than r.
inch caiibre. with range OF at least
ID. 900 yards.
The general policy with reference
10 seacoast dofouses should be- TO
have the armament there cmplaced
Of greater rsnEc and power than any
which can be brought against Co."
Secretary Garrison's statement to
the committee reviewed the program
for construction OF coast dofenscs.
which. he said. would require $40
OOo. 600
THE project a. revised 90 date. he
HHIus CANS TOT AHh'I IuuN ana mortar
Of calibrcs from three inch 90 sixteen
inch Inclusive. OF this rumbcr 1.1si
or on per cent have been provided Tor.
all OF which. except sixteen are now
mounted In fortihcatious There Do.
mains 90 De appropriated Tor 1t7 guns
and mortars"
For tho coast guns the secretary
said the allowance OF ammunition wac
based on "a quantity sufficient for
two hour engagement f0r half tho
total number Of weapons mounted
and that there was on hand and under
manufacture approximately 1g Der
cent Of this allowance.
The prescribed allowance ammuni-
ton for Notifications Of the ineuia-.
possessions and the Panama canal no.
said. was enough 70 CARY the guns