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realize the expectations of its projectors, in which event it must be securely fortified. No plans have, however, as yet been made with that object; and as to the probable cost, nothing better can now be done than to assume the conjectural estimate of the engineer department, namely, $600,000.

The lowest point at which Philadelphia is defensible is at Pea Patch island, about forty-five miles below that city. A fort on that island to replace the one destroyed by fire; a fort opposite the Pea Patch, on the Delaware shore; a temporary work on the Jersey shore, to be thrown up at the commencement of war, and floating obstructions placed in the channel, under the fire of these works, will effectually cover Philadelphia, the other important places on the river, and the outlet of the canal connecting the Delaware and Chesapeake bays. The plans and estimates for a fort to replace Fort Delaware are not completed.. Taking the expense thereof at $600,000, the expense of the system, inclusive of temporary works, will be $1,121,000.

Chesapeake bay-The board of naval officers and engineers intrusted with the selection of sites for great northern and southern naval depots, recommended in their joint reports of 1819 and 1820, Burwell's bay, on James river, for the one, and Charlestown, near Boston, for the other. They also recommended Boston harbor and Narraganset bay at the north, and Hampton roads, at the south, as chief naval rendezvous. In those reports the commission entered at large into the consideration of all the matters of these important objects; and reference is now made to those reports for many very interesting details.

Hampton roads, James river, and Norfolk.-The works projected for the defence of these are, 1st, a fort and advanced lunette at Old Point Comfort; 2d, a casemated battery on the Rip Rap shoals; and 3d, a line of floating obstructions extending across the channel, between these works. In the event of a great naval depot being fixed on James river, it might ultimately be desirable to provide additional strength, by adding works on the positions of Newport News, Nasaway shoals, and Craney Island flats. Exclusive of these, the cost of completing the works is estimated at $723,188.

The existing fort, viz: Fort Norfolk, will aid in the defence of the city of Norfolk and of the navy yard. It is a small and inefficient work, but may be made useful as an accessory to the general defensive operations.

Harbor of St. Mary's.-The central situation, as regards the Chesapeake, of this fine basin; its relation to the Potomac; its depth of water, and the facility with which it may be defended, indicates its fitness as a harbor of refuge for the commerce of the bay, and as an occasional if not constant station during war, for a portion of the naval force. A survey has been made, but no projects have been formed. The engineer department has conjectured that the cost may be $300,000.

Patuxent river-The more effectually to protect the city of Washington from a sudden attack by troops landed at the head of navigation of the Patuxent, and to provide an additional shelter for vessels, a fort has been planned to occupy Point Patience, and another to occupy Thomas's Point, both about six miles. from the Chesapeake. Their expense will be $505,000.

Annapolis harbor.-No surveys or plans of defence have been made. The existing works are very inefficient. The estimate made by the engineer department, viz: $250,000, is adopted.

Harbor of Baltimore. The proximity of Baltimore to the bay places that city in a dangerous situation. In the present state of things, an enemy, in a few hours' march, after an easy landing, without being exposed to a separation from his fleet, can make himself master of that great commercial emporium.

Baltimore requires for its security two forts in the Patapsco: one at Hawkin's Point, and the other at the extreme end of the flat, off Soller's Point. Besides the advantages which will result of obliging the enemy to land at a greater distance, thereby delaying his march, gaining time for the arrival of militia, and

preventing his turning the defensive positions our troops might occupy, it will be impossible for him to endanger the city or its shipping by a direct attack by water. The present Fort Mellenry, Redoubt Wood, and Covington battery, should be retained as a second barrier. Allowing $150,000 for putting these in a more efficient state, the expense will be $1,517,000.

Mouth of Elk river.-The completion of the line of communication from the Delaware to the waters of the Chesapeake makes it necessary to place a fort somewhere near the mouth of the Elk, in order to prevent an eneiny from destroying, by a sudden enterprise, the works connecting these communications with the river. There have been no surveys made with a view to establish such protection, but the engineer department estimates the cost of a suitable fort at $300,000.

City of Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria.-Fort Washington covers these cities from any attack by water, and will oblige an enemy to land at some fifteen or eighteen miles from Alexandria, should that city be his object. It will also serve the very important purpose of covering the troops crossing from Virginia, with a view to fall on the flanks of an enemy moving against the capital. All these objects would have been better fulfilled had the work been placed at lower Cedar Point. As it is, however, the forts in the Patuxent being constructed, and the militia of the surrounding country in a due state of preparation, an enterprise against these cities would be one of great hazard. Still, a work on Cedar Point should on no account be omitted. The department estimates its cost at $300,000.

From the mouth of the Chesapeake to Cape Hatteras there occurs no inlet navigable by sea-going vessels.

SOUTHERN SECTION OF THE ATLANTIC COAST.

This coast is invariably low, and, for the greater part, sandy, much resembling the coast from Cape Hatteras to Montaug Point. A ridge of sand, here and there interrupted by the alluvion of the rivers, extends through its whole length; this ridge, in certain portions, lies on the main land, while in others it is divided therefrom by basins or sounds of various width and depth, and is cut up into islands by numerous channels of greater or less depth, connecting these interior waters with the sea. Wherever this sand ridge is broken, its place is occupied by low and marshy grounds, bordering the principal and the many lesser outlets of the rivers.

The nature of the country through which the rivers of this coast flow, after leaving the mountains, is such that the banks being easily abraded by the current, the waters are always turbid, and are continually transporting new supplies for the formation of alluvion and the maintenance of extensive submarine banks, shoals, and bars; that these do not rapidly increase is owing to the force of the current, the action of the sea, and the mobility of the particles of matter. is to the same cause, namely, the wearing away of the shores of the rivers, that is to be attributed the want, on this coast, of harbors unobstructed by bars, and which, as a coast, particularly distinguish this and the Gulf of Mexico frontier (where similar operations have been going on) from the more northern and eastern portions.

It

Ocracock inlet.-The shallowness of the water on the bars at Ocracock effectually excludes all vessels-of-war from the harbor within. But as this is now an outlet of an extensive commerce, and through this opening attempts might be made in small vessels, or in boats, to interrupt the line of interior communication, whereon so much might depend in time of war, timely preparation must be made of temporary works equal to defence of it against all such minor enterprises.

Beaufort harbor, North Carolina.-Work completed.

Mouth of Cape Fear river.-The defence of the main channel of Cape Fear river requires, in addition to the work nearly completed on Oak island, another fort on Baldhead, and the defence of the smaller channel will require a redoubt on Federal Point. The battery, magazine, block-house, quarters, &c., at Smithville, should remain as accessories. The cost is set down at $258,000.

Georgetown harbor.-The first inlet of any consequence south of Cape Fear river is at the united mouths of the Waccamaw, Pedee, and Black rivers, forming Georgetown harbor, which is a commodious and capacious bay, having sufficient water within and upon the bar, near the mouth, for merchant vessels and small vessels-of-war. A survey of this harbor, begun many years ago, has never been completed, and no projects of defence have been made. It is probable that a work placed near Moscheto creek or on Winyaw Point would give adequate strength, at the cost of about $250,000.

Santee river and Bull's bay-About ten miles south from Georgetown entrance are the mouths of the Santee, the largest river in South Carolina. It is not known whether the bars at the mouths of this river have sufficient water for sea-going vessels; the same uncertainty exists as to the depth into Bull's bay. It may be well, however, to consider them, and the other inlets between Georgetown and Charleston, as calling for small works capable of resisting boat enterprises, and to assign to them $100,000. Should they prove to be navigable for privateers they will need a larger expenditure.

Charleston, South Carolina.-The city, situated at the junction of Ashley and Cooper rivers, is about five miles, in a direct line, from the sea. Between it and the ocean is a wide and safe roadstead for vessels of any draught. Upon the bar, lying three or four miles outside of the harbor, there is, however, only water enough for the smaller frigates and for large sloops-of-war. On the southwest side of the harbor is James's island, through which are several serpentine passages, more or less navigable for boats and barges; some of them communicate directly with the sea and Stono river. Whappoo cut, the most northerly passage from Stono to Charleston harbor, enters Ashley river opposite the middle of the city. Interior natural water communications exist also to the southwest of Stono river, connecting this with North Edisto river, the latter with South Edisto and St. Helena sound; this again with Broad river, and, finally, this last with Savannah river. On the north side of the harbor of Charleston lies Sullivan's island, separated from the main by a channel navigable to small craft. To the northeast of Sullivan's island an interior water communication extends to Bull's bay, and even beyond, to the harbor of George

town.

From this sketch, it is apparent that it will not do to restrict the defences to the principal entrance to the harbor. The lateral avenues must also be shut. And it is probable that accurate surveys of all these avenues will show that the best mode of defending the latter will be by works at or near the mouths of the inlets, as the enemy will be kept thereby at a greater distance from the city; the lesser harbors formed by these inlets will be secured, and the line of interior communication will be inaccessible from the sea.

No position for the defence of the principal entrance to Charleston harbor can be found nearer to the ocean than the western extremity of Sullivan's island. This is at present occupied by Fort Moultrie, a work of some strength, but by no means adequate to its object, its battery being weak, and the scarp so low as to oppose no serious obstacle to escalade. How far this work, by modification of its plan and relief, may be made to contribute to a better defence of the harbor, cannot now be determined.

On a shoal nearly opposite Fort Moultrie the foundation of a fort has been begun, which will have a powerful cross-fire with Fort Moultrie. It is presumed that about $800,000 would put these works in a complete state.

Stono, North Edisto, and South Edisto.-All these must be fortified, at least

in such a manner as to secure them from enterprises in boats or small vessels. To that end $50,000 may be assigned to each.

St. Helena sound. The proper defences cannot be pointed out till this sound shall have been surveyed.

Although there is supposed to be no great depth of water on the bar, it is known to be navigable by the smaller class of merchantmen, and to have a navigable communication with the head of Broad river or Port Royal, intersecting the interior navigation between Charleston and Savannah. This sound will require defence, even should it not be of much use as a harbor of refuge for exterior commerce. $150,000 may be the cost of the defences.

Broad river or Port Royal roads.-The value of this capacious roadstead. as a harbor of refuge, depends on the depth which can be carried over the bar, on the distance of this bar outside of the line of coast, and on the means which may be applicable of lessening the danger of crossing it. This is supposed to be the deepest bar of the southern coast. Should there prove to be water enough for frigates, and by light-houses on the shore, and lights, or other distinct guides, on the bar, should it be practicable to make the passage of the bar safe and easy, this road, situated within sixty miles of Charleston and twenty of Savannah river, intersecting the interior navigation between these great cities, thereby securing the arrival of supplies of every kind, would possess a very high degree of importance, not only as a harbor of refuge, but as a naval station also. The survey of the exterior shoals, constituting the bar, should be made with the greatest care, and all possible minuteness. It is only when this shall have been done that the true relation of this inlet to the rest of the coast can be known, and on this relation the position and magnitude of the required defences will depend. For the present, the estimate made by the engineer department is adopted, namely, $300,000.

Savannah and mouth of Savannah river.-Mention has been made of the natural interior water communication along the coast of South Carolina. A similar communication extends south from the Savannah river, as far as St. John's, in East Florida. Owing to these passages, the city of Savannah, like Charleston, is liable to be approached by other avenues than the harber or river; and its defences must consequently have relation to these lesser as well as the principal channels.

The distance from the mouth of Wassaw sound, or even Ossabaw sound, (both to the southwest of Savannah river,) to the city, is not much greater than from the mouth of the river; and an enterprise may be conducted the whole distance by water, or part of the way by water and part by land, from either or both. As in the case of like channels in the neighborhood of Charleston, it cannot now be determined where they can be defended most advantageously. It is to be hoped, however, that the localities will permit the defences to be placed near the outlets of the sound; because the defences thus placed will serve the double purpose of guarding the city of Savannah and covering these harbors, which, in time of war, cannot but be very useful.

The defence of Savannah river is by no means difficult. A fort on Cockspur island, lying just within the mouth, and perhaps, for additional security, another on Tybee island, which forms the southern cape at the junction of the river with the ocean, would effectually prevent the passage of vessels up the channel, and cover the anchorage lying between Tybee and Cockspur. The existing Fort Jackson, standing about four miles below the city, should be maintained as a second barrier, both as respects the main channel and the passages which come into the river from the south; which last would not at all be controlled by works on Cockspur or Tybee. A fort projected for Cockspur island is estimated at $470,000. To defend Tybee island may require $150,000, and $50,000 would put Fort Jackson in an efficient state, making a total of $670,000. South of the Savannah are Wassaw sound, Ossabaw sound, St. Catharine's sound, at the

mouth of the Medway river; Sapelo sound, Doboy inlet, Altamaha sound, at the mouth of the great river of the same name; St. Simon's sound, at the mouth of Buffalo creek; St. Andrew's sound, at the united mouths of the Scilla and Santilla rivers; and Cumberland sound, at the mouth of the St. Mary's river All these communications with the ocean are highly important, as regards the line of interior navigation, and several of them as affording access to excellent harbors. The last, especially, is known to be navigable by the largest sloops-of-war and merchantmen; and two or three of the others are believed to be but little, if at all inferior, either as regards depth of bar or safety of anchorage.

All these inlets are yet to be surveyed. Some of them are probably easily defensible by forts, and other may require the aid of floating defences. An important principle in relation to the defensive system of the whole southern coast, namely, that, on a coast possessing a few harbors, it is at the same time the more necessary to preserve them all for our own use, and the more easy to deprive an enemy of that shelter which is nearly indispensable to a continuous and close blockade. This principle is enforced as touching this particular part of the southern coast by the two following weighty considerations: its remoteness from the nearest naval rendezvous, the Chesapeake, which is on a mean 600 miles distant, and to leeward, both as to wind and current; and its being close upon the larboard hand, as they enter the Atlantic, of the great concourse of vessels passing at all seasons through the Florida channel.

While, therefore, this part of the coast, from the concentration of vessels here, is in great need of protection of some sort, naval aid can be extended to it only with difficulty, and at the risk of being cut off from all retreat by a superior

enemy.

Accurate and minute surveys which will enable our vessels, whether driven by an enemy or by stress of weather, to shun the dangers which beset the navigation of these harbors, and properly arranged defences to cover them when arrived, seem to be indispensable. It is worthy of remark, besides, that when these harbors shall be fortified the operation of visiting the coast and watching the great outlet of commerce through Florida passage will be a difficult and hazardous one to an enemy, on whose part no perseverance or skill can avail to maintain an uninterrupted blockade, or to avoid the occasional shipwreck of his cruisers; while on the part of our small vessels-of-war and privateers the same sort of supervision will at all times be easy and safe.

Nothing better can be now done than to assume $200,000 as the average cost of defending each of the nine entrances, giving a total of $1,800,000.

The board of engineers have not examined the coast from the mouth of the St. Mary's to Pensacola, but in order that the chain of defence for the coast may be here exhibited unbroken, the estimates of the engineer department for the places and positions intermediate between Cumberland sound and Pensacola will be inserted. St. Augustine, $50,000; Key West and Tortugas, $3,000,000; Charlotte harbor, Espiritu Santa bay, Apalachicola, Apalache bay, St. Joseph's bay, St. Rosa bay, together, $1,000,000.

GULF OF MEXICO FRONTIER.

The resemblance of this part of the coast to that which we have denominated the southern section is striking. We may, indeed, refer to the description herein given of the principal features of the latter as a true delineation of this. In respect to the relation of the coast to the interior, there is, however, the greatest difference between these two portions of the maritime frontier; for while about eight-tenths of the whole territory of the United States is in one sense tributary to a part only of the Gulf of Mexico portion, in the southern section of the coast not more than one-tenth is connected with the seaboard by any natural ties. This fact, which shows the very deep interest which a large portion of

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