The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-23 00:00:00

FORTIFICATIONS IN CORK HARBOUR.

Our local readers are aware that fortifications to some
extent are being gradually erected on the principal
points of the harbour, but owing to the jealous secrecy
of the Government very little is known of their extent
or importance. The principal of these is that now in
progress on Spike Island, which, when completed, will
prove a most formidable defence. Previous to the war
with Napoleon almost the sole protection for that island
was a small redan battery on the eastern face of the
island, the strength or importance of which was very
trifling, but on the breaking out of hostilities with the
French nation, the immense value of Cove, as a har-
bour of refuge for vessels, and a point of departure
for convoys, was perceived by the Government of
the day, and it was resolved to fortify Spike Island
in such a manner as to enable it to become a de-
fence suitable to a great maritime port. Accordingly,
designs were made and the works begun, but they
proceeded slowly, and the war was ended before the
fortifications were completed ; not, however, as we can
learn, until they had cost nearly a million of money. On
the arrival of peace the country began to grow weary of
expense and the works were stopped, and they remained
in an unfinished condition, until on the refusal of the
colonies to receive convicts from England, it became ne-
cessary to establish depots at home, when it was con-
ceived that their labour could be made available for the
completion of the fortress of Spike. They have now
been engaged on these works for a period of seven or
eight years, and at last the results of their labour are
beginning to be seen.
Most persons who have seen our harbour will re-
member the position and appearance of Spike Island
It rises from all sides, with a rather steep slope, to a
table-land commanding the entrance of the harbour,
the Man-of-war roads, and the passage up to Cork.
On this platform has been built a single fortification,
of about a thousand feet in length, with a breadth of
about seven hundred feet. In shape it is an elon-
gated hexagon, having at each angle a bastion. The
platform surmounting this work will be ten feet broad,
en which will be placed 200 guns mounted on barbette,
while the bastions will be pierced with embrasures.
Iteleind the platform will be a banquette for the accom-
modation of men working the guns, and below will be
casemate barracks, bomb proof, capable of accommodat-
ing 2,000 men. Around the entire fortress runs a ditch
about 20 feet deep and 40 broad, both sides being com-
pletely faced with cut stone. Only a portion of the
glacis is as yet completed on the east and sea faces, but
it is intended to level the land all round thu fortification,
so as to form the whole island into a smooth slope
rising gradually to the fortress. When the works shall
have been sufficiently far advanced, all the houses
on the island will be removed, and everything that
could afford shelter to an enemy, or interrupt the per-
fect sweep of the guns on every side. The original
design of the armament contemplated mounting the bat-
tery only with twenty-four pounders, but though no po
sitive information on this head can be obtained the recent
changes in ordnance will no doubt have their effect, and
cause much heavier rectal to be subsUtuted. The plan
of this fortress, though now we would reckon it old,
dating as it does nearly half a century back, is consid-
ered to be very perfect of its kind, being so formed as to
enable a small force to hold it against any merely naval
power that could be brought against it. It is com-
manded indeed by hills on the main land, but at a very
considerable range ; beside that the possession of these
hills by an enemy would suppose the existence of an
occupying army and a regular siege, which, of course, it
is not meant to meet. It is merey a fortress, built for
the protection of the shipping, and the Government
stores at Haulbowline.

Convict labour has been also employed on the forts at
each side of the harbour's mouth, now batteries having
been erected close to the water's edge, and platforms for
pivot guns, covered ways and glacis formed. When these
works shall' have been completed, they will no doubt
form very efficient defences of a harbour so important
as that of cork. We shall look with curiosity to see
whether, after all the labour and expense bestowed on
them, they will be furnished with either a gun or a
soldier.—Cork Examiner.