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DEFENSES OF THE NORTHERN FRONTIER-continued.

the United States, in connection with a public park to be laid out on land adjoining the said grounds, the plans for the same to be approved by the Secretary of War: Provided, That this resolution shall not be construed to pass any title in the said grounds, but that the ownership and control of said grounds shall remain entirely in the United States, and shall be subject to such changes and uses for military purposes as the Secretary of War may direct."

Under date of April 12, 1884, the Secretary of War granted permission to the park commissioners to construct a roadway through the reservation, cutting the rampart of the fort.

Under the above mentioned authorities the larger part of the United States grounds has been handsomely laid out and improved by the city of Buffalo. The roadway was constructed, necessitating the tearing down of the west angle including the hot shot furnace and the river face. Along this face a wooden fence was erected.

No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886.
No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Fort Niagara, mouth of Niagara River, New York, in charge of Capt. Edward Maguire, Corps of Engineers.-This work, commenced in 1839, is situated at the mouth of the Niagara River, on the south shore of Lake Ontario, about 40 miles from, and east of, its western extremity. It is an irregular work, having one strong land front running nearly north and south, extending from Lake Ontario at its northern extremity nearly to the Niagara River at its southern extremity. This front is half bastioned, with detached parapet, demilune, and four casemates for howitzers in each flank. The rest of the tracé is irregular, following the general course of the river and of the lake shore.

The work contains two masonry block-houses, built by the French about 1757, and other buildings begun by the French and finished by the English after its capture by them during the French and Indian

war.

No money has been expended on this work since 1871, except for slight repairs.

The work has no armament and no gun-platforms, excepting timber ones in the south bastion for a 44-inch siege gun and a 10 inch mortar. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Fort Ontario, mouth of Oswego River, New York, in charge of Lieut. Col. Henry M. Robert, Corps of Engineers, until January 28, 1885; since that date in charge of Capt. Edward Maguire, Corps of Engineers.-This work is situated at the mouth of the Oswego River, on its east bank, and on the south shore of Lake Ontario, and lies within the limits of the city of Oswego.

The work was commenced in 1839 and continued at intervals until 1872, at which time constructive operations ceased; since which expenditures have been limited to minor repairs. Its condition is essentially the same as stated in the Annual Report for 1884. The fort was regarrisoned in the spring of 1884.

During the fiscal year operations consisted in rebuilding the revetment to the interior slope adjacent to the commanding officer's quarters, in the drainage of part of the ditch, in repairing the gutters to the sallyport guard houses, and in small repairs to the engineer buildings.

DEFENSES OF THE NORTHERN FRONTIER-continued.

During the year no change has been made in the armament of this work, or in its condition to receive armament.

No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886.
No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Fort Montgomery, outlet to Lake Champlain, New York, in charge of Lieut. Col. Henry M. Robert, Corps of Engineers, until February 20, 1885; since that date in charge of Maj. M. B. Adams, Corps of Engineers.-This casemated work is situated on the west shore of the outlet to Lake Champlain, about one third of a mile from the Canadian boundary, and occupies a strategic point of great importance, and commands the entrance to Lake Champlain from the Richelieu or Saint John River.

This work was commenced in 1841, and its rebuilding in its present form was accomplished in 1876, and completes the work, except the interior fittings of a part of the casemates intended for quarters, and also parts of Bastions A and E, where temporary wooden floors have been built for the second tier of casemates.

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, operations at this work have been limited to fitting wooden shutters to embrasures and loophole openings, repairs to the water-front sallyport gateway, and securing the land-front sallyport entrance by interior gates.

During the year no change has been made in the armament of this work or in its condition to receive armament.

No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886.
No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

SEA-COAST DEFENSES.

DEFENSES OF THE PENOBSCOT.

Fort Knox, Bucksport, Penobscot River, Maine, in charge of Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.-This work, situated at the narrows of the Penobscot River, furnishes a defense for the city of Bangor, 18 miles above, and other towns bordering the river, and renders it available as a secure harbor of refuge for the shipping of the extensive eastern coast.

The site of this work was secured to the United States in the year 1844, and its construction was commenced in the same year, and continued until the close of the working season of 1869, when it was practically completed according to the original plans.

The interior finish of the casemate quarters and the grading of the parade are the principal matters now requiring attention in addition to such modifications of the batteries as may be determined upon.

The floors of six magazines have been renewed during the year. Repairs have been made on most of the temporary engineer buildings, and some other minor operations for the care and preservation of the property.

No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886.
No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

DEFENSES OF THE KENNEBEC.

Fort Popham, Kennebec River, Maine, in charge of Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.-This is a granite work, commenced in 1857, and was designed to command the entrance to the Kennebec River, to cover the harbor of refuge for large vessels above, and to protect the city of

DEFENSES OF THE KENNEBEC-con'inued.

Bath, a place of commercial importance, as well as other cities on the interior waters, from predatory incursions by a smaller class of warvessels. Incidentally it will cover the railroad bridges crossing the Kennebec.

Its construction was commenced in the year 1862, although full title to the site was not obtained till the following year. Operations were suspended at the close of the season of 1867.

The work, which requires extensive modifications, remains in an unfinished condition, no operations having been carried on during the fiscal year, except for the necessary care and preservation of the property. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886. No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

DEFENSES OF PORTLAND.

Fort Gorges, Portland Harbor, Maine, in charge of Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.- This casemated work, commenced in 1857, is one of the series of forts designed to defend the harbor, and channels leading into the harbor, of the important strategic position occupied by the city of Portland. Its construction was suspended for want of funds in 1876, and the work is in an incomplete condition.

The long suspension of operations causing deterioration, the working plant must be renewed when work is resumed.

No appropriation having been made, no work was done at this fortification during the last fiscal year beyond its protection, preservation, and repair, as far as was possible with the general appropriation made for this purpose, and no other work is contemplated during the current fiscal year for the same reason.

No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Fort Preble, Portland Harbor, Maine, in charge of Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.-This work occupies such a position that threefourths of its guns command the two principal channels entering the harbor of Portland.

The original work on this site was built in 1808. The new earthen batteries with parados and traverse magazines, which have been partially executed, are in an incomplete condition and suffering from exposure. The plans for these batteries require revision.

The work remains in the same condition as reported last year, excepting the magazines, which are being put in serviceable order, by contract, and will be completed in the month of July.

The derricks and other working machinery have so deteriorated during the long suspension that considerable expense must be incurred in their renewal.

No appropriation having been made, no work was done at this fortification during the last fiscal year beyond its protection, preservation, and repair, as far as was possible with the general appropriation made for this purpose, and no other work is contemplated during the current fiscal year for the same reason.

No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Fort Scammel, Portland Harbor, Maine, in charge of Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.-This work occupies a very important position in the barbor, and commands four of the channels leading into it.

The original work on this site (House Island), built about 1808, consisted of a semicircular battery, with brick scarp and block-house in rear, and a detached lunette northeast of it. About 1845 the works

DEFENSES OF PORTLAND-continued.

were connected so as to form one inclosed work, with brick scarp and earthen parapet.

In 1862 the execution of the new plans was commenced, and (with some subsequent modifications in 1870) the work was carried on till the close of the season of 1875, when it was suspended for want of funds. It is an inclosed work, with detached masonry bastious and heavy earthen batteries.

Plans for its modification and for additional earthen batteries have been prepared by the Board of Engineers for Fortifications and approved by the Secretary of War. They are only partially executed, and the work is in an incomplete condition. The plans require revision. No appropriation having been made, no work was done at this fortification during the last fiscal year beyond its protection, preservation, and repair, as far as was possible with the general appropriation made for this purpose, and no other work is contemplated during the current fiscal year for the same reason.

No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Battery on Portland Head, Portland Harbor, Maine, in charge of Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.-This earthwork, commenced in 1873, will, when completed, cover by its guns all the approaches to the main channel leading into the harbor, and will prevent by its fire an enemy's fleet from taking up, unopposed, a position behind Cushing's Island from which to shell the shipping in the harbor.

This work remains in the incomplete condition reported at the close of the last fiscal year.

For the construction of the operating-room and gallery for torpedo cables an appropriation is asked under the general appropriation for cables, galleries, &c.

No appropriation having been made, no work was done at this fortification during the last fiscal year beyond its protection, preservation, and repair, as far as was possible with the general appropriation made for this purpose, and no other work is contemplated during the current fiscal year for the same reason.

No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Batteries on Cow Island, approaches to the harbor of Portland, Maine.The object of these earthworks is, with batteries designed to be placed on Great Hog Island, to prevent an enemy's occupation of Casco Bay and to guard the passage from it to Portland Harbor.

Plans for the construction of batteries for the heaviest guns on this island have been prepared by the Board of Engineers for Fortifications, and it is proposed to commence work upon them as soon as funds are available. The plans require revision.

No appropriation for their construction has yet been made.
No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Batteries on Great Hog Island, approaches to the harbor of Portland, Maine.-The object of these earthworks is, with batteries designed to be placed on Cow Island, to prevent an enemy's occupation of Casco Bay and to guard the passages from it to Portland Harbor.

Plans for the construction of batteries for the heaviest guns on this island have been prepared by the Board of Engineers for Fortifications, and it is proposed to commence work upon them as soon as funds are available. The plans require revision.

No appropriation for their construction has yet been made.

No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

DEFENSES OF PORTSMOUTH AND THE NAVY-YARD AT KITTERY.

Fort McClary, Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire, in charge of Col. .C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.-This work, together with Fort Constitution, opposite, forms the inner line of defense to the mouth of the Piscataqua River and to the navy-yard at Kittery, Me.

The original fort was commenced early in the present century. An inclosed barbette work was commenced in 1863, but has not been completed.

The work remains the same as at the date of last report, no operations having been carried on except for the necessary care and preservation of the property.

No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886.
No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Fort Constitution, Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire, in charge of Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.-This work, together with Fort McClary, opposite, forms the inner line of defense to the mouth of the Piscataqua River and to the navy-yard at Kittery, Me.

Extensive modifications are required for the casemated work at this place before proceeding with its construction. Plans for an exterior earthen battery for heavy rifled guns have been approved by the Secretary of War, but it has not yet been commenced. The plans require revision.

The condition of this work has remained unchanged since the date of the last Annual Report, no operations having been carried on except for the necessary care and preservation of the property.

No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886.
No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Battery on Gerrish's Island, Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire, in charge of Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.-This earth work, with the one opposite, on Jerry's Point, forms the outer line of defense to Portsmouth Harbor and to the navy-yard at Kittery, Me. It was commenced in 1873.

The work remains in the same incomplete condition reported at the close of the last fiscal year.

Plans for the completion of this work have been prepared by the Board of Engineers for Fortifications and approved by the Secretary of War, but are only partially executed. The plans require revision.

An appropriation for constructing the operating-room and gallery for torpedo cables is asked under the general appropriation for cable galleries, &c.

No appropriation having been made, no work was done at this fortification during the last fiscal year beyond its protection, preservation, and repair, as far as was possible with the general appropriation made for this purpose, and no other work is contemplated during the current fiscal year for the same reason.

No appropriation asked for next fiscal year.

Battery on Jerry's Point, Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire, in charge of Col. C. E. Blunt, Corps of Engineers.-This earthwork is on the western side of the entrance to the harbor of Portsmouth, N. H., and with the battery at Gerrish's Island, on the opposite side of the entrance, forms the outer line of defense to that harbor and to the navy-yard at Kittery, Me. It was commenced in 1873.

Work is in progress for putting the traverse magazines in serviceable order, by putting in the wood work, which, it is expected, will be completed in July.

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