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Appendix No. 9.
UNITED STATES.
State Papers, p. 12.
State Papers. Selections.
"James' Naval History," Cust.
Actual forts:--
Defences of Narraganset Bay.
Fort Adams defends harbour and city of Newport, and commands principal passage to bay. Plans for modern ordnance can be rapidly completed when funds are available; main work wants repairs.
Dutch Island commands western entrances; plans for modern guns incomplete; awaiting
funds,
Value of stores at Newport was 328,000 dollars. It has since become the torpedo school.
Narraganset Bay has been the subject of a very animated discussion between the advocates of fortifications and naval defences and the economists, and affords a typical case worth selecting for quotation.
The Specialists:--
"As a harbour, this bay is acknowledged by all to be the best on the whole coast of the United States, and it is the only harbour that is accessible with a north-west wind, the prevailing and most violent wind of the inclement season. If this roadstead were without defence, an enemy could occupy it without opposition, and by the aid of naval superiority form a lodgment on the island of Rhode Island for the war, occupying this island with his troops, and with his fleets the channels on either side, he might defy all the forces of the Eastern States; and while from this position his troops would keep in alarm and motion the population of the East, feigned expeditions against New York or against more southern cities, would equally alarm the country in that direction and though he might do no more than menace, it is difficult to estimate the embarrassment and expense into which he would drive the Government.
“A squadron of steam-batteries lying under these fortifications could sally out to attack an enemy occupying any of the neighbouring inferior harbours.”
The financial view:-
;
"The expense would be enormous. It is to be observed that no part of Narraganset Bay is necessary for the safety of a hostile fleet watching that part of the coast. Gardiner's Bay, in that vicinity, is a most safe and convenient station, which was occupied by the British during almost the whole of the late war. If Gardiner's Bay can be defended by floating-batteries, so can Narraganset."
"The most striking objection to this extensive plan is, that under no possible circumstances can it effect its desired object."
In fact, the question is the command of the sea. No fortifications on Rhode Island can prevent the mistress of the sea from occupying Block Island, Nantucket Island, Buzzard's Bay, and Marthas Vineyard. No preparations in Long Island Sound can keep her out of Narraganset and Gardiner's Bay.
The object of making the above selections is not, of course, to decide between American dispu- tants, but to give clues to the strategical situation. With regard to this middle section, previous wars should also be studied. We find, besides, the example of Gardiner's Bay, many illustrations for future guidance.
Victories of disciplined troops over militia; Bladensburg: (the Americans still sometimes call their militia: "Heroes of Bladensburg. Invincible in peace, invisible in war"): insufficient defences, surrendered by local authorities under threats of reprisal-this system is very suitable for inadequate torpedo defences; Alexandria: Troops failing to surprise successfully re-embarked; Baltimore: Diversion, cutting-out expeditions, profitable excursions in shallow water, &c.; Chesapeake, Lynhaven Bay, &c.
State of Connecticut.
Engineer proposals have contemplated eight positions for works on this coast.
Harbour expenditure from Federal funds alone 1,200,000 dollars, chiefly on Bridgeport, Connec-
ticut River, Newhaven, Stonington, and Thames River.
In 1870 Census the coast eastward was moderately, westward nearer New York, densely, popu- lated, and nearly all rich.
Sailors, 3,000; fishermen, 900; raftsmen, 113; shipwrights, 540.
1870 Census, 780,000; 1880, 935,000.
Organized militia, 2,300; unorganized. 79,000.
"Engineer Reports."
Actual forts :--
Defences of New London Harbour, one of the most important harbours in the country. Fort Trumbull commands the channel entrance, now inadequate to protect town from bom..
bardment. Modifications of existing forts incomplete, awaiting funds.
Fort Griswold, opposite above, same. Exterior line of defence required.
Under the militia system of garrison, the threat to burn New London would probably cause surrender. (Confer Cust., vol. iv, p. 301, Alexandria.)
Stores at New London were only 75,000 dollars, but it is thought as demand for land increases at New York and Boston, those navy yards will be transferred to an intermediate point at New London.
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Defences of Newhaven -
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Fort Hale-This work commands the channel entrance; temporary structure built at close of
late war; much deteriorated.
There is a Fort Woolcot in Army List, but it is neither cared for nor garrisoned.
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