Fortress #44 concentrates on American coastal defenses in what is often called the Modern Era. This is the time when muzzle-loading cannon were replaced by breech-loading ones. Coastal defenses were more than just guns; it included the infrastructure to support them and also included mines and searchlights. After all, the purpose of these defensive systems was to allow free passage in and out of US harbors, while keeping the bad guys at bay.

The authors start with an introduction to how it was  up until 1885; generally a rather poorly organized section of the army that was only called upon when war broke out. Then, as often happens, things lapsed into non-use and often decay.

The Endicott Board was convened in 1885 to take a good look at what was needed to defend America's ports and harbors. Plans were drawn up and work was started, albeit rather laxly. No war, no need to get things done in a hurry. The Spanish American War sped things up as did WWI and WWII, though by the time of the end of WWII, it was becoming obvious that the US wasn't really in any danger of surface attack and by 1950, most defensive positions were closed and their guns cut up as scrap.

The book includes what it was like to man these positions, where the forts were built and how they were designed, the guns that were used, and  the types of ammunition fired by these guns. There is a section on Army controlled submarine (as in underwater) mines and the operation of these defenses. Fire control (or lack of it) and the development of practical systems in an age before radar and digital computers is also covered along with the operation and deployment of searchlights.

Finally a section on where one can go to visit many of these sites, now run as state parks or by the National Park Service.

Overall, a most interesting look into a system that was never used in action against enemy ships (except for those overseas) but offered a deterrent and piece of mind to the civilian population. A book that I can easily recommend to you.

July  2006

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