Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-10
FORT MONROE & THE RIP RAPs.
Iron, the Globe

Iron, the Globe
The channel which leads in from the Capes Of
Virginia to Hampton Roads. is, at Old Point Com,
fort, reduced to a very narrow line. Inc shoa,
water, which, under the action OF the sea, anu
re. acted upon by the bar, is kept 10 an anreni''
ting ripple, has gwen the name OF Kip kaPs 10
this place. When the bar is passed, Hampton
Roads, which extend to Norfolk, aooot sixteen
miles distant, int which James River, Eizaoe'h
River, and Nausemond Mouth empty, afford the
finest anchorage in the world, in them Its navies
might ride with perfect safety. With view oil
making this secure retreat for ships OF war and Tor
our commerce, 10 any future contest With a naval
mower. Fort Monroe was built on the point, on
the right side Of the channel at the entrance OF
the Roads-and the castle Of the Rip Raps is d.
recty opposite the point, at the distance OF about
1900 Yards. The two forts will completely com
mand the channel, and it will be impossible tor
single ship of war to pass without the permission
of the power holding the fortresses. They are
so constructed as to present immense batteries oil
cannon upon an approaching ship, from the mo-
meut she comes in reach, from the Capes, and
throu ghout all the bendings Of the channel It must
still be under the power Of the cannon; Tor the
forts present a new aspect at every turn. and 10
all probability the interdicted ship would be
wreck, or confagration, from the hot shot thrown
into her, before she completed half the circuit Of
the channel. =,
There is much salutary experience, bought
however dearly. in the lessons OF the late war
These waters were then the resort OF the brItisr
fleets, and while all American vessels were e'the'
driven from their own harbUrs, or captured, Inc
enemy made himself at home here-sent detach
ments to Baltimore and Washington-ravaged
the shores Of the Chesapeake burnt our Capita
and Navy Yards, and laid the whole country IN
der contribution. The erection OF the two Forts
at this central point Of our seaboard, gives re
fuge to our naval force, IT driven in by superior
numbers, and will, in effect, not only occlud'
Hampton Roads to the enemy, and shut him on
! from James River and Norfolk, our naval depot
but must deter him ever venturing up the Chesa
peake Bay. If such an attempt were made, the
first calm would put the most powerful fleet o.
an enemy completely at the mercy OF few steam
| frisates or steam batteries, which, by means oil
their selfmoving power, would be enabled Ia
take such position as suited them, and to set fire
to the ships of the enemy with hot shot, or cut
them off in detail. The shelter Of these forts,
too, would enable few ships, lying in security
under their guns, to sally out and take advan'
tase Of any storm which might separate block
aiding force, exposed to the acc idents Ut an open
sea.
These circumstances give great importance to
the works which are to form the gates at Hamp'
ton Roads-an1, as consequence, in great de.
gree to the whole Chesapeake Bay. Fort Mon.
roe is already finished, and is at this moment in
admirable condition, if it's armament were com.
pleted.
The Rip Raps, where the President has fixed
his quarters, for the benefit Of the sea air and
bathing, will, trust, before long, become no.
Bile structure. When finished, it will be mo-.
nument worthy Of the people who have lavlshed
their means in its erection, and OF the genius OF
the Engineers BY whom it was planned. The
area Of the structure, as originally staked of in
cludes five acres; great part of which was %
feet below the surface of the sea, and that near
est the surface Is feet. To get foundation
been raised, by throwing rocks into the water,
until, by gradual accumulation, it has emerged
above the tides. The rock Of which this Island
is formed, has been brought from great dis
tances, and at vast expense
After foundation was obtained for the Castle
above high water, the building Of the castle was
begun, and carried up so as TO torn the first EN-.
brasures. 1t was found that the settling Of the
artificial mound of stone cracked the walls. The
building was, therefore, discontinued; but I'M.
mense masses Of granite have since been brought
and lodged upon the lines Of the work. that the
weight Of the material, might be empioyedIn con.
solidatlng its foundations. For some years this
marine pyramid sunk between six and eight in.
ches; during the last year, although pressed
with the weight of all the material gathered for
the superstructure, it settled about three inches.
1t is the Presidents opinion that the erection Of
the Castle may now proceed with safety, and it
is probable that he will direct its immediate com.
pIetion.
The present aspect of the place is rough and
savage, and when the surge rushes in among the
hollow piles Of granite, and the wind whistles
among the naked spars, which are planted round
the walls for the support Of the scatfolding, the
music Of the surrounding elements Of sea and air,
is quite 10 keeping with the dreary, desoate spot,
which, at a distance, looks like Gibraltar, bea.
ten down by cannonade, and fallen PROSTATE in