FORTIFICATION OF THE ENGLISH COAST.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1843, 19 January 1880, Page 3

FORTIFICATION OF THE ENGLISH COAST.

The "Daily News" says:— "Dover Pier, it seems, it to be fortified by placing upon it an armoured turret, carrying two 80-ton guns, -weapons of the same calibre, therefore, as are to be carried by our big turret ship, the Inflexible. These cannon may be trusted to carry a projectile half way across the Straits if need be, and would be capable, moreover, if provided with steel projectiles, of piercing any armoured vessel that has been or is ever likely to be built. In a word, a single turret, thus heavily armed, would do more to repel an invader than Dover Oastle with all its commanding position and multifarious armament. It is to be hoped, however, that more precautions will be taken from the land side to secure the turret from assault than appear to exist in the case of the forts that have recently been built on the Thames. These, according to some authorities, though formidable enough from the water, are almost defenceless from the land side, and might be taken without difficulty by an enemy marching upon them from a point lower down the river. Possibly there are many who are unaware that London is defended at all, and that between Gravesend and the Nore several heavily armed batteries have of late years sprung into existence. Tilbury Fort has so long been a by-word with Londoners that many will be surprised to hear that it is at this moment a very respectable work, and armed with a goodly number of 25-ton guns. Opposite Tilbury and a little lower down the river is a companion work, known by the name of New Tavern Fort, which is armed with weapons of equal power, and so placed as to act in concert with Tilbury Fort. An enemy, however, would have to run tho gauntlet of another pair of forts, equally formidable, before he engaged those off Gravesend. Coal House Point on the one hand and Shornmeado Fort on the other would call for his attention, both of them being capablo of hurling 600 pounder projectiles from the row of heavy cannon with which they are armed."

AQUATICS. The first heat of tho junior four races in connection with the Canterbury Bowing Club was pulled off on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a victory for E. M. Boulton's crew against Dobson's. There were tbree entries, but J. Grierson was unable to pull, and it was decided to postpone the final heat till Tuesday evening, when the latter's crew are matched to row Boulton's four. The race on Saturday was pulled over the mile and half course, and had it not been for the obstinacy and want of courtesy of a would-be canoeist, the match would have been a close one, but as the individual in question had the bad taste to deliberately place his canoe broadside on, and came in violent contact with the bow of Dobßon's boat in the early part of the contest, the latter'a crew were, to a great extent, put out of the race. The following are the names of the crews : - Electric —Boulton, McDougall, Lees, Inglia (Dunnage, cox), 1. Tyne—Dobson, Johnston, Turner, Winter (Dixon, cox), 2. Dobson's crew were the first to get their boat well underweigh, and with the first few strokes got away with a slight lead. Boulton, however, started with and maintained a much more steady and effeotive stroke, and soon overhauled and passed the Tyne, and at the first turn was leading by nearly a length. Here the Tyne came in collision with the canoe referred to above, and the Electric drew away and held a good lead to the turn below Pratt's. Here Dixon, who, though never seeming to increase in stature, grows more wily every race he steers in, commenced to pilot his boat round the sharp turn in capital style, and by a very cool bit of judgment, gave his crew the advantage of a length and a half over their opponents. This unlooked for bit of policy brought the boats on even terms, and it seemed as though a neck and neck race would ensue up the straight to the finish. Dobson's crew, however, had had too much taken out of them, and had to be content with second place, the Electric being first abreast of the winning post, with jußt over a clear length to spare. The maiden four-oar race, which was pulled off on the 12th inst, resulted in an easy victory for C. B. Djbson'g crew againßt that of J. R. Dunsford.