The San Francisco call. [volume], February 27, 1898, Page 4, Image 4

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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4
DEFENSES FOR THE SEABOARD
SAN FRANCISCO
HARBOR IS NOW
WELL PROTECTED
But the Work of Strengthening the
Fortifications Proceeds, and One
More Big Gun Is Hauled
to Fort Point.
The army leaders no longer try to
withhold the information that war
preparations are progressing. Activ
ity is the rule at all the military garri
sons of the country. The work neces
sary for the defense of San Francisco
is going forward with commendable
rapidity. There is still talk among the
timid and easily excited that a Span
ish fleet could stand six miles outside
the heads and cause great destruction
of property by throwing high explo
sives into the city. The fact is not
taken .into account that on the bluff
back of Fort Point there are five 12
inch modern high power guns. Each
gun, a rifled breech-loader forty-two
feet in length and weighing fifty-eight
tons, can throw a steel projectile
weighing 1000 pounds a distance of ten
miles. This formidable battery could
be trained on any ironclad that should
attempt the shelling of San Francisco.
A Spanish fleet outside would have
more than the guns of the land to en
counter. The battle-ship Oregon, the
cruisers Charleston, Philadelphia and
Yorktown, and the coast defense ves
sel Monterey could steam out and en
gage the enemy. . The business of
shelling the city of San Francisco at
long range would be attended with con
siderable peril to the shelling party.
The engineer, ordnance and quarter
master corps of the United States army
are working together to hasten the
work of putting in new guns. One of
the 10-inch breech loading rifles for the
Fort Point disappearing battery, which
arrived at the Southern Pacific freight
yards last Thursday, was placed on an
immense truck early yesterday morn
ing and hauled a good part of the way
to the point of destination. The truck
was drawn by forty horses. The gun
Mas taken from Fourth and King
streets, along Fourth to Market, thence
to O'Farrell and out to Polk street,
along Polk to Vallejo, thence to Van
Ness avenue, along the avenue to Green
street and thence along Octavia, Un
ion, Greenwich, Fillmore and Francisco
to the Presidio reservation.. The weight
of the gun is thirty-four tons and the
contracting draymen, Morton & Co., !
had to be careful of the street pave
ment and the car tracks. When these
two guns are put in place there will
be five in the disappearing battery.
From the Fort Point position the fire
of five 12 and five 10 inch rifles could be
directed against an enemy's war fleet
seeking to enter the harbor of San
Francisco. The 12-inch rifles planted
on the high bluff at Lime Point, Just
across the channel, could join the guns
at Fort Point in standing off the en
emy. Should a large fleet menace the
city the fire of the big rifles could be
supplemented by the dynamite guns,
the mortars and the 15-inch smooth
bores. There should be no alarm about
San Francisco. As matters stand to
day the city is well defended. The"
chief requirement is a forec of trained
artillerymen to handle the modern
guns. Much work in the way of elec
trical apparatus and range finding
methods remains to be done before the
guns can be worked up to the modern I
methods of operation, but the guns are
there and the ammunition is on hand.
The rifles can be trained for direct fire
and a good many military men of ex
perience believe that the direct fire
principle is better for actual conflict at I
short range than the modern system of
calculation by the range finder.
Quite a joyous commotion was caused
in army circles of this department yes
terday by a report that the House of i
Representatives had passed the bill au- '■
thorizing the creation of two additional '
regiments of artillery. There is hardly i
a doubt that the bill will pass some
tint* this session, but there was a feel- I
ing of disappointment when it was i
found that the measure had not been ■
called up in the House.
Increase of the artillery by two regi
ments will promote Lieutenant-Colonel I
E. B. Williston of the Third and Lieu
tenant-Colonel William Sinclair of the
Fifth to the full rank of colonel. The
majors who will be advanced to the
grade of lieutenant-colonel are: W F I
Randolph. Third; Tully McCrea, Fifth-
Frank G. Smith, Second, and James G
Ramsay, Fifth. The captains who wili
be advanced to the rank of major are-
Frank W. Hess, Third Artillery :
George W. Crabb, Fifth; Charles Mor
ris. Fifth; J. W. McMurray, First-
John W. Dillenback, First; James B
Burbank. Third; Samuel M. Mills
Fifth; John P. Story, Fourth; William
P. Voss, Second, and George G. Gren
ough. Fourth Artillery.
The addition to the army of two I
THE DISPATCH BOAT FERN.
regiments or twenty-four batteries of
artillery would probably give this de
partment four more batteries. It is
understood that a detail will be made
from each battery of the existing five
regiments to form the nucleus for the
new organizations and that the present
regiments will receive recruits equal to
the number contributed to the new or
ganization?.
Since it seems settled that the in
crease of the artillery will be allowed
there is a growing sentiment in favor
of reorganizing the infantry regiments
in accordance with modern military
tactics. The system of infantry regu
lations in the United States army was
cast aside many years ago by European
armies. It is obsolete and wholly out
of place since rapid fire guns of long
range have been accepted in place of
the old muzzle-loading muskets. The
infantry desire the new battalion or
ganization of three battalions to a regi
ment. Each battalion should consist of
four companies and each company of
200 men, making the battalion 800
strong and the strength of the regiment
2400 men. The regiment would then be
about equal to the brigade strength
during the war of the rebellion. Since
the introduction of quick-firing breech
loading magazine guns with a deadly
range of 2000 yards troops must be de
ployed in long thin lines. The day of
massing is gone. The modern battle
unit is the company of 200 men. In
extended order 800 is the greatest num
ber that one man should immediately
command. The scheme of reorganiza-
tion was recommended by Generals
Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Schofleld
and by many other officers of distinc
tion. As a measure of economy in or
ganization the plan is highly commen
dable, as the number of effective men
would be largely increased without
adding to the number of commissioned
officers. Since the United States is pre
paring for war it is held that a reor
ganization of the infantry is essential.
In this particular line the National
Guard is a step in advance of the re
gular army.
General Shafter, commanding the De
partment of California, has directed
that detachments of troops shall leave
Angel Island, Fort Mason and Fort
Baker to-morrow and proceed to the
Presidio for the purpose of mounting
guns on the reservation. The troops
will report to Colonel Miles, command
ing the post at the Presidio.
Lieutenant William S. McNair, Third
Aritllery, has been directed to report
to the commanding officer of the Pre
sidio for duty in mounting guns.
Lieutenant Babbitt of the Ordnance
Corps visited the fortifications at Fort
Point yesterday and examined the guns
and carriages.
The detail of troops from Angel Is
land. Lime Point and Black Point is
made becauso the batteries of the Third
Artillery permanently stationed at the
Presidio cannot perform all the duty
required at the fortifications.
PRIEST RECEIVES AN
INFERNAL MACHINE.
Father Weber's Remarks Anent the
War Crisis Excites
Some Crank.
NEW YORK, Feb. 26.— Father Web
er, whose recent declaration at Rond
out, that in case of war between the
United States and Spain, it would be
come the duty of Roman Catholics to
fight on the side of Spain, has been
officially requested to leave the diocese.
This fact was given out to-day by
Father Connolly, secretary to Arch
bishop Corripan, who explained that
had Father Weber belonged in this dio
cese, instead of in the West, whence
he came, he would have been subjected
to shßrp discipline.
A package addressed to Father
Weber, containing an infernal machine,
was received at the Kingston postofflce
to-day. One of the clerks noticed that
a black powder came from the poorly
wrapped packing. He carefully opened
it. After the lid had been removed a
box was discovered. It was arranged
in two compartments. Attached to the
lower portion of the box lid was thick
sandpaper and in the upper apartment
matches and about a pound of powder,
which would have been ignited by the
removal of the lid quickly. The powder
was between layers of cotton and a
substance thought to be dynamite was
in the bottom of the box.
The package was sent from Wash
ington.
Torpedoes Being Planted.
PORTLAND, Me., Feb. 26.-It is evi
dent from appearances that some o'
the torpedoes which have been stored
at Fort George, in Portland harbor
THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1898.
are being planted in the harbor. For
several nights a tug has made trips
to the old fort and lights have been
seen moving about above the chan
nel at the entrance to the harbor. If
such operations are in progress it is
being done under direction of the local
board of Government engineers, who
are silent in regard to the matter. At
Portland Head is a torpedo operating
station cut from solid masonry and
extending to the water's edge.
MUCH DEPENDS
UPON THE REPORT.
Before Increasing the Navy Con-
gressmen Desire to Know How
the Maine Was Sunk.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.— Members
of the Senate and House Committees on
Naval Affairs are anxiously awaiting
definite information regarding the sink
ing of the battle-ship Maine. The out
come of the investigation will* have an
Important bearing upon the action of
the committees toward increasing the
naval establishment. The sub-commit
tee of the House having the present
appropriation bill in charge has decided
to postpone for the present considera
tion of the increasing clause until a full
report comes from Havana,
Upon this will largely depend
whether the Maine Is to be replaced
and other battle-ships authorized. If
the theory of accident prevails many
members of Congress will be inclined
to oppose the provision for more ves
sels on the ground that we are not y*»t
fully acquainted with the safest meth
ods of caring for those we havp. If
it is shown the Maine was sunk by an
outside explosion it is probable not only
will there be a far superior ship to the
Maine authorized, but one other high
class fighter.
MuS^St if JMM^^v / S^^^ scientific discovery
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SAIN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
MUNITIONS
OF WAR FOR
THE SOUTH
Heavy Shipment of Shot
and Shell From Water
town Arsenal.
Twenty=Five Carloads of Ammuni=
tion for Heavy Guns to Be
Hurried to Southern
Ports.
BOSTON, Feb. 26. — Twenty-five
freight cars are being loaded at the
Watertown Arsenal with shot and
shell for Southern ports. The work of
loading was begun shortly before noon
to-day by a dozen men, and up to a
late hour this evening three cars had
been packed. The work will be con
tinued until the last car is loaded.
The shot and shell are for 3-inch, 10
inch and 12-inch rifles and 12-inch
mortars.
Major James W. Reilly refuses to
talk. Even Major Reilly's closest
friend could not ascertain what his
special secret order from Washington
was, so that his silence led every per
son at the arsenal to believe the order
was of the utmost importance. One of
the lieutenants at the arsenal was
known to call at the quartermaster's
and commissary's office in Boston
during the morning hours, and that
visit was a significant one.
Up to noon everything went smoothly
about the spacious grounds, but about
that hour the hug<= gates between the
Fitchburg Railroad tracks and the
sidetrack entrance to the arsenal were
thrown open. About a dozen men' had
been ordered to that section of the
ground situated on the west side of
the erecting shop. Among them were
four or five soldiers connected with
the arsenal. They had been there a
short time when Major Reilly put in
an appearance. About eight or ten of
the freight cars were then backed on
to the arsenal sidetrack under the su
pervision of H. C. Fisher, freight
agent for the Flu hburg Railroad. This
move gave the men the impression
that something unusual was about to
occur, but Major Reilly kept his own
counsel.
The first order given was to take
from the old storehouse a derrick
which had been there for years. It was
brought to one of the freight cars and
then set up beside the track. The shot
and shell were then lifted into the cars
one by one. They weigh from 300 to
1000 pounds, so the work was hard and
tedious. The major superintended the
work during the greater part of the
afternoon. The ammunition is stored
in different parts of the yard, some be
ing in the south storehouse near the
officers' quarters, machine shop, and
about the grounds. The material
which is shipped will carry a distance
of from six to ten miles. The 8-inch
is intended to carry six miles, the 10
inch eight miles and the 12-inch ten
miles. The loading of the freight cars
is the first outside sign of the activity
that has been displayed at the arsenal
Bince the Maine disaster. There seems
to be no doubt in the minds of the
hundreds of men employed there that
war is inevitable. Not since the Civil
War has such a large order for shot
and shell been received at this place. It
is expected that an extra force will be
put at work immediately in order to
finish the work on gun carriages
which are under construction. The
shipping will be done under the direc
tion of the Fitchburg Railroad of
ficials, and it is said that the twenty
five cars will be sent in different direc
tions aJong the Atlantic coast in the
South.
DIED.
r,REFPIN-In this city, at his residence, 1231
Turk street. Joseph, beloved husband of Ce-
cilia Oreppln, and father of Ernest H.,
Philip J\. Joseph E.. Robert A. and Adele
C. Oreppln, a native «* Switzerland, aged 64
years, it.os Anßeles and St. Louis papers
please copy).
CTNotire of funeral hereafter.
STRENGTHENING
THE DEFENSES
OF NEW YORK
Submarine Explosives to
Guard the Harbor and
Approaches.
Torpedoes and Big Guns to Be Added
to the Batteries and Complete
Protection Afforded Against
Any Outside Foe.
NEW YORK, Feb. 26.— 8y order of
Brigadier-General John M. Wilson,
chief of engineers, active steps are be
ing taken for the defense of New York
harbor with the available supply of
submarine explosives. The greatest
secrecy is maintained in connection
with the work, and it cannot be
learned how large is the number of ex
plosives already in position in the har
bor and on hand at Willets Point. I
am t*ild, however, that it is sufficient
to do a great deal of damage to a hos
tile fleet if judiciously disposed and
operated.
Submarine defense Is understood to
be well advanced at the entrance of the
Long Island Sound, the eastern ap
proach to New York, and the depart
ment is also in possession of facilities
for the protection of the Narrows and
lower bay. Electro-contact automo
bile torpedoes will play a large part
in the defense of the city. The elec
trical apparatus which operates them
is easily portable and weighs much
less than the explosive itself. The ex
plosive is provided with a rudder and
connected with the electrical battery
by a charged wire, which is long
enough to reach from the hidden loca
tion of the battery to the hostile ship.
After the explosive is planted in the
water its rudder is adjusted so as to
direct its course, and it is then pro
pelled, being still governed b-" the elec
trical apparatus, and its location is
made visible above the surface of the
water only by a tiny flag or "war
nose." The stationary mines are
planted just under the position occu
pied by a passing keel, and may be
fired either by simple contact or by a
charge from the main battery. The
planting of the stationary mines does
not involve the employment of many
men or much apparatus and may pro
ceed without amusing the suspicion*
of craft lying: near at hand.
In the opinion of the engineer and
ordnance experts of the War Depart
ment the harbor of New York is in a
fair state of defense although the plan«
of the department are yet very far from
being accomplished. The department
is endeavoring to follow on general
lines the recommendations of the Endi
cott board, in whose ■ opinion were
necessary for the proper defense of the
city eighteen 8-inch, two 14-inch, forty
12-inch, twenty-seven 10-inch and fif
teen 8-inch guns and 144 12-inch rifled
mortars, distributed around the ap
proaches to the city. There are now in
position at Fort Hancock the fortifica
tions on Sandy Hook, two 15-inch and
one 8-inch pneumatic guns, two 12-inch
guns, four 10-inch guns and a mortar
battery of sixteen 12-inch mortars.
At the western end of Long Island
(Ports Wadsworth and Lafayette) some
10-inch guns are In position and four
batteries of 6 and 8-inch guns. On
Staten Island five 8-lnch guns and four
10-inch guns are nearly in readiness.
At the eastern entrance to the harbor
(Forts Slocum and Schuyler) are bat
teries of somewhat less strength than
those at the Narrows. The lack of
rapid-fire guns is greatly deplored by
the department. These guns, on ac
count of their relatively great power
and their rapidity of fire, constitute a
highly important element in coast de
fense. Their emplacements are com
paratively inexpensive and can be
rapidly constructed whenever the guns
and carriages are available.
The guns in position are inadequate
ly supplied with projectiles. There are
I said to be about 1000 projectiles on
Governors Island, and there are prob
i ably 1000 elsewhere in the country. Sev
eral outstanding contracts for projec
tiles are nearly ready for delivery, and
the department Is in position to rap
idly furnish itself with sufficient sup
plies from numerous manufacturers in
this country and by purchase abroad.