DEFENSES OF PHILADELPHIA, AND LEAGUE ISLAND NAVY-YARD— Continued. repairing the dike and sea-wall, to constructing four gun-platforms, with breast-height wall, two magazines, and three traverses, and to continuing the embankment of the battery. 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. Appropriation asked for next fiscal year. $75,000 00 Mortar Battery at Finn's Point, Delaware River, New Jersey, in charge of Col. J. N. Macomb, Corps of Engineers, until June 29, 1882; since that date in charge of Maj. William Ludlow, Corps of Engineers.-This work was commenced in 1872, under the approved plans of the Board of Engineers for Fortifications, and forms a part of the earthen battery at Finn's Point. No appropriations having been made for it since 1874, it remains in its then incomplete condition. Since then the embankments have been washed away to a great extent by severe storms, which badly damaged the sea-wall at their foot. 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. Appropriation asked for next fiscal year in the estimates under the general head of sea-coast mortar-batteries. Fort opposite Fort Delaware, Delaware shore, in charge of Col. J. N. Macomb, Corps of Engineers, until June 29, 1882; since that date in charge of Maj. William Ludlow, Corps of Engineers.-This is an earthen barbette battery, forming the right of the lower line of defense for the Delaware River. Its construction was commenced in 1873, and continued antil 1876, since which time work has been suspended, no appropriations having been made. During the past year a new kitchen has been attached to the fortkeeper's quarters, the outside of the dwelling painted, and the other buildings and workshops whitewashed. An appropriation is recommended for continuing the construction of the battery under the plans of the Board of Engineers for Fortifications, and the protection of its site, to be applied as follows: Rebuilding the river dike; completion of torpedo cable gallery; construction of six'additional gun platforms, with the necessary breast-height wall; three magazines and three traverses; and continuing the embankment of the battery. 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. Appropriation asked for next fiscal year.. $75,000 00 Mortar Battery opposite Fort Delaware, near Delaware City, Delaware, in charge of Col. J. N. Macomb, Corps of Engineers, until June 29, 1882; ince that date in charge of Maj. William Ludlow, Corps of Engineers.— The construction of this battery was commenced in 1872, according to plans prepared by the Board of Engineers for Fortifications, and in the next year two magazines were nearly completed, the terreplein was DEFENSES OF PHILADELPHIA, AND LEAGUE ISLAND NAVY-YARD Continued. formed, and the parapet embanked about 7 feet above that level. Nothing more was done until 1876, when a small balance of an old appropriation was applied to completing the two magazines and embanking the two traverses, with the parapet in front of them, to nearly their full height. The work is in an unfinished condition. No appropriation having been made, no work was done at this fortifica tion 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. Appropriation asked for next fiscal year in the estimates under the general head of sea-coast mortar-batteries. DEFENSES OF BALTIMORE. Fort McHenry, Baltimore Harbor, Maryland, in charge of Lieut. Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers.-This fort forms part of the inner line of defense for Baltimore and its dependent interests, and com mands with its fire the interior waters of the harbor and the channel of approach thereto, in which latter a depth of 24 feet exists at mean lowwater. The fortifications at this place were commenced in 1775, and in 1794 the present work was built. Although the original fort has become almost useless as a defensive work, the site is still an important one, and the water-front should be occupied by a battery of modern guns, mounted behind an earthen parapet of the most approved dimensions, and provided with bomb-proof cover for ammunition and gunners. Such a battery, the plans of which were prepared by the Board of Engineers for Fortifications, was commenced in 1872, and is partly constructed, although all work upon it has been suspended for want of funds since July, 1876. A bulkhead of ballast having been made by the United States, without expense, along a line in front of the site, and at a distance from the authorized pier line of 375 feet, and a line having also been established in the rear of the site at the same distance from the pier line, it is proposed to fill in the whole area thus defined with ballast from ships coming to the port. The available limits of the site will thus be largely increased without expense to the United States. Little progress has been made in this filling during the past year, as but few vessels have applied to deposit ballast upon the area. A sea-wall should be built along the line of the temporary bulkheads referred to above, and the present wharf should be removed and a new one built near the new dry dock. The temporary sod revetment of the interior slope of the unfinished battery having deteriorated throughout, and fallen down in places, this slope, which had been originally built about 4 on 1, was re-embanked to a a slope of 1 on 1 and sodded. The slopes of the large magazine in the covered way of the main work were repaired and resodded in part. The drain from the parade of the main work to the water was cleaned out. The southern end of the wall along the west boundary of the reservation had fallen down, and to keep animals out a fence was built out to beyond the line of extreme low-water. To continue work on the new earthen battery the sum of $50,000 is asked for the next fiscal year, which would nearly complete the parapet DEFENSES OF BALTIMORE-Continued. and terreplein of the unfinished battery, including magazines, but not the gun-platforms. 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. Appropriation asked for next fiscal year.... $50,000 00 Fort Carroll, Baltimore Harbor, Maryland, in charge of Lieut. Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers.-This fortification, commenced in 1847, is situated upon an exterior line of defense for the harbor of Baltimore. It is proposed to modify this important casemated work so as to enable it to receive the heaviest modern rifled guns, protected by iron armor of such form and thickness as to be impenetrable by any guns which may be brought to our coasts. Its completion is indispensable to the safety of the rich city of Baltimore in time of foreign war, and the work to be done cannot safely be left until the approach of hostilities. It will require several years and liberal appropriations to accomplish it, and it should be commenced without delay. Operations during the past year have been confined to the general care and preservation of the work and the public property stored thereat. A new boat was purchased for the use of the employés to provide communication with the city. A considerable portion of the roof built to preserve the unfinished work was blown off in a gale; this roofing has been replaced. Repairs of little extent have been made to the quarters for the ordnance sergeant and the fortkeeper. The roof over the unfinished casemates on the west half of front 2 had become dilapidated. This portion was covered by 8,335 square feet of graveled felt roofing, the old material being used for support. 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. Appropriation asked for next fiscal year. $100,000 00 DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON. Fort Foote, Potomac River, Maryland, in charge of Lieut. Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers.-This earthwork, commenced in 1862, is on the inner line of defense of the channel of approach by water to Alexandria and the capital of the United States. The site is commanding and very favorable. Projects for the modification of this fort and for an additional battery for the use of the heaviest modern guns have been prepared by the Board of Engineers for Fortifications. They were partially executed when work was suspended by reason of failure of appropriations, the last of which was for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874. Attention is again arged to the fact that the fort in its present unfinished condition is daily becoming much deteriorated. The modification of the work should be resumed and completed as soon as possible. Very little work was done during the year; the mowing of the slopes, eatting of young trees sprouting upon the parapet, repairs to the roadway leading from the wharf to the plateau on which the fort stands, DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON-Continued. and to the well-curb near the fort, to preserve it, being all there is to report. No appropriation having been made, no work was done at this fortfication 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. Appropriation asked for next fiscal year... $50,000 00 Fort Washington, Potomac River, Maryland, in charge of Lieut. Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers.-This fort occupies a very important position on the outer line of defense of the cities of Alexandria, Washington, and Georgetown, and the interests connected with them. The importance of this site has been fully set forth in previous annual reports. The casemated fort, commenced in 1816, is of very little value, and the new earthen batteries, which have been devised in accordance with the latest ideas of defensive arrangement, have been barely begun. There has been no specific appropriation for this place since that for the fiscal year 1873-74. The unfinished work is constantly suffering deterioration. The slopes of the parapets and traverses in the demilune battery have been mowed and young trees sprouting upon them have been eradicated. Attention is again earnestly asked to the need of continuing and finishing the new batteries. 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. Appropriation asked for next fiscal year.... $50,000 00 Obstructions of the Potomac, in charge of Lieut. Col. William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers.-The material pertaining to these obstructions has continued in store at Fort Foote, in charge of a watchman. The timber portion is very much decayed and is rapidly becoming worthless. The irons are in good condition. DEFENSES OF HAMPTON ROADS AND GOSPORT NAVY-YARD. Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, in charge of Lieut. Col. Q. A. Gillmore, Corps of Engineers.-This extensive work, commenced in 1817, occupies an important position, covering, in co-operation with Fort Wool, on the opposite side of the channel, the only approach from the sea to Hampton Roads, the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, the Gosport navy-yard, and the James River. These works, also, in offering a safe rendezvous for our own vessels of war, afford indirect protection to Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington, and all the harbors and towns on the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. The work covers an area of 86 acres, and the distance around it is 13 miles. The modifications that have been planned and approved for adapting Fort Monroe to the requirements of efficient defense against war vessels of recent type contemplate arming the channel front of the advanced redoubt with heavy barbette guns, provided with suitable traverses and traverse magazines; mounting a similar armament in the re-entering place of arms, located on the right of the redoubt in advance of Front DEFENSES OF HAMPTON ROADS AND GOSPORT NAVY-YARD-Continued. No. 5; constructing a new open battery for barbette guns to the right of the old casemated water-battery; and placing a few heavy guns in the salients of the main work and covered way. There is plenty of room for mortar-batteries both within and without the work. The work of making the requisite modifications has been suspended for several years past for want of appropriations. In the advanced earthen redoubt the two traverse magazines are finished, except the earth covering to one of them, and six gun-platforms are nearly completed. Most of the earthwork of the redoubt is also finished. In the place of arms, the concrete service magazine is finished, but not covered with earth, and the concrete foundations for the gun-platforms have been laid. The new 10 gun earthen battery has not been commenced. The operations during the last fiscal year were confined to the repairs necessary for the protection and preservation of the work. The bridges and draws at sallyports on Fronts 4 and 6 were entirely rebuilt; 550 linear feet of new rail was made and placed in position on the bridges; the brick piers were repaired and pointed; 1,300 linear feet of paling fence was built at the foot of the glacis in advance of Fronts 2 and 3 to protect it from injury; 300 linear feet of fencing was built inclosing Engineer grounds in rear of hotel tract; 2,000 linear feet of paling fence extending from the main sallyport to the east end Engineer cottages was repaired and painted. Repairs have been made to the slopes and parapets of the main work, and also in front of three 15-inch gun-platforms, east end of water-battery. The ramps leading from the parade have been repaired from time to time as required. The Engineer storehouses, shops, stables, quarters, and fences have been white and yellow washed and the necessary repairs made. Contracts to build a breakwater between hotel tract and Engineers' wharf, and to store certain stone on the beach, have been awarded. 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. Appropriation asked for next fiscal year.... $75,000 00 Artesian Well at Fort Monroe, Virginia, in charge of Lieut. Col. Q. A. Gillmore, Corps of Engineers.-No work was done during the last fiscal year and none is contemplated during the present fiscal year for want of funds. The inadequate and uncertain supply of water at Fort Monroe is an evil which, it is conceded on all sides, may at any time arise to serious magnitude. The present depth of the well is about 900 feet. It is recommended that provision be made to increase this depth to 1,200 or even 1,500 feet before abandoning the project of obtaining a water supply by this method. No appropriation was made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1833. $10,000 00 Fort Wool, Hampton Roads, Virginia, in charge of Lieut. Col. Q. A. Gillmore, Corps of Engineers.-This work unites with Fort Monroe in closing the sea approach to Hampton Roads, being located on the opposite side of the channel from that work, and therefore crossing its fire with it. Fort Wool is an inclosed casemated fort. It was begun in 1818 by |