Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 05.djvu/112

* COAST DEFENSE. 84 COASTING TRADE. means at the disposal of a fleet. The success of Farragut in the Civil War appears to contradict this statement, but it must be remembered that the condition of the navy on the one hand, and that of the coast artillery on the other, were at that time more favorable for forcing a harbor than they are to-day. Xevertheless, on many oc- casions, Farragut himself, while attacking a sea- coast, called for assistance from the artillery on the land side. V^"ars are so short nowadays, and decisive battles are sought so quickly in the in- terest of the countries concerned, that the cooper- ation of a strong land army is now deemed es- sential to support the naval attack ; indeed, the land attack will generally be the principal one. This was shown to be the case in the China-.Jap- anese War as well as in the Spanish- American War. The best protection of a seacoast of a countrj' lies in the possession of a powerful navy, but should the latter meet with misfortune the coast must be protected to prevent landings. The defense of the unfortified portions of the coast will be intrusted to a special coast guard corps, strong enough to oppose the enemy at all points with superior forces. To determine what this strength should I)e, the landing of the Japanese for the purpose of attacking Wei-hai-wei fur- nishes some useful data. The army of 27.000 men was landed in thirty-six hours, consequently, with the better means available to-day, about 20,- 000 men can be landed in twenty-four hours, hence a coast defense corps of equal strength should be able to appear at the landing-place in that time, and considering the necessary detachments to be left at various points, it will take about 30.000 men to guard the coast between two fortified forts not over a day's cruise apart. Consult Abbot, Defense of the Seacoast of the United Stales (New York, 1888) ; and Wis- ser. Tactics of Coast Defense (Kansas City, 1902). For a description of the ordnance used in modern coast defense, see Co.^sT Artillery and Ordnaxce, the historical side of the subject be- ing treated under Artillery. The article on Fortification discusses the history and construc- tion of coast defenses, together with the scheme adopted for the defense of the coast of the Unit- ed States, and should be read in this connection. COAST GUARD. The coast-guard service of Great Britain was originally established as a means of revenue protection, but was reorganized and transferred to the Admiralty in 1856. It now partakes of the character of a naval reserve, life- saving, and signal service in addition to its du- ties in connection with the customs. It is under the control of the Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves, who has a captain in the naY as his assistant. The coasts of the United Kingdom are divided into nine districts — Hull. Harwich. Newhaveu. We.^nouth, Holyhead. Leith, Clyde, Limerick, and Kingsto%ni — each presided over by the captain of the coast-guard station ship of the district, which vessels are usually old - type armorclads, though in 1901 two of them were pro- tected cruisers. In addition there were (in 1901 ) eleven gunboat cruisers of 461 to 810 tons, seven small steam cruisers of .300 to 520 tons, five sail- ing cruisers (four yawls, one cutter) of 120 to 131 tons, five sailing cruisers (cutters) of 70 tons, and seven sailing cruisers (cutters) of 70 to 60 tons. The districts are stibdivided into 81 divisions in charge of inspecting oflicers consisting at present of 32 commanders, 36 lieutenants, and the remainder of subordinate coast-guard officers. The divisions are divided into 238 stations, each in charge of a chief officer who is about equal in rank to a warrant officer. The coast between sta- tions is patrolled at all times, day and night, and means of signaling to vessels is kept ready for instant service. The regulations of entry vary from time to time, but the men are all good-eon- duet men who have completed a long term of ser- vice in the navy and are not above a certain age. According to the budget of 1901-02, the number of commissioned officers attached to the coast- guard service is 89, exclusive of officers regularly serving on board the vessels of the navy acting as station ships and gunboats. There are also 238 chief officers of stations and 3873 petty officers and seamen, making a total of 4200 persons. COASTING. An outdoor winter game, sup- posedly of Russian origin. The sport consists of sliding down a slippery bank or other inclined grade of snow or ice, by means of a sled. ( See Tobogganing.) The rider may make the trip either sitting, lying, or kneeling on one knee, each method having its own advantages, but the most general is that of sitting sidewise on the rear of the sled, and steering with one leg, which is trailed behind. Coasters are not supposed to utilize hills which are used for traffic, even sup- posing such a prohibition is not a matter of local law. For the various kinds of sled used, see Sled. COASTING TRADE. The commerce carried on by sea between the different ports of the same country. In Great Britain, 'coastwise' is de- fined to mean 'from any one part of the United Kingdom to any other part thereof.' Vessels en- gaged in this commerce are subject to different rates and regulations from over-sea traders, and the masters must keep their books showing that their cargoes come strictly within the definition of coasting trade. Formerly, no goods or passengers were allowed to be carried from one port of the United Kingdom to another except in IJritish ves- sels; but this restriction was repealed in 1854, and the coasting trade in Great Britain is now open to all the world, though the share of foreign nations is inconsiderable. This is seen in the fact that in 1898 the shipping cleared from British ports to other British ports amounted to 30,504,- 091 tons, but of this only 134,551 was foreign shipping. Owing to the length of coast, this trade in the United States is far more extensive than in any other country. Of the forty-nine States and Territories (exclusive of Alaska), eighteen border on the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and three border on the Pacific Ocean, to which may be added the enormous coast-line of Alaska, Hawaii, and Porto Rico. The extensive commerce of the Great Lakes is also included in the coasting trade. In the time of the early settlements such trading was done in small shallops, sloops, and schooners, and there was very little of it. This trade is re- stricted to American vessels, and with the g^o^^'th of the country in population the trade has grown enormously. At the present time many hundreds of steamers and many more hundreds of sailing craft are constantly plying from !Maine to Texas, transferring the cotton, sugar, and rice of the South to Northern, and the lumber, grain, and manufactured soods of the North to Southern markets. The swift propeller brings the oranges and strawberries of Florida to Maine, and takes