Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-08-28

yards. The two forts will completely com
mand the channel, and it will be impossible
for u single ship Of war 10 pass without the
permission of the power holding the for
tresses. They are so constructed, as to pre-
sent immense batteries Of cannon upon an
approaching ship, from the moment she
comes in reach, from the Capes, and through
out all the bendings of the channel, 1t mus
still be under the power of the cannon; Tor
the forts present new aspect at every turn
and in all probability the lnterdicted ship
would be wreck, or a conhagration, from
the hot shot thrown into her, before she com
pleted half the circuit of the channel.
There's much salutary experience, bought
however dearly, in the lessons of the late
war. These waters were then the resort OF
the British fleets--and while all American
vessels were either driven from their own
harbors, or captured, the enemy made hun
self at home here-sent attachments 10 Bal
timore and Washington-ravagcd the shores
of the esapeake--burnt our Capitol and
Navy Yards, and laid the whole country I'M
der contribution. The orentipn OF the two
forts at this central point Of Dur sea board.
gives refuge IL our naval terte, II driven IN
by superior numbers, and wifi IN effect, not
only occlude Hampton Roadsi!o the enemy
and shut him out fro >, James yer and Nor
folk, our naval depot , but nj ut deter him
from over venturng up the Chastpoa!le Bay.
1T such an attempt were made. the first calm
would put the most powerful fleet OF an enc
my completely at the mercy of few steam
trIgateS or steam batteries, which, by means
OF their ssit-mdying power, would be enabled
to 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, 700, would enable few ships,
lying III security under their guns, to sally
ont and take advantage of any storm which
might separate blockading force, exposed TO
the accidents of an open sea-
'The Rip Raps, where the President has
fixed his quarters. for lie benefit of the sea
air and bathing, wItl trust, before long,
become noble structure. When finished ii
will be a monument worthy of the people
who have lavished their means in its cree
ton, and Of The genius of the Engineers by
whom it was planned. The area Of the
structure, as originally staked off, includes
five acres; great part of which was % feet
below the surface of the sea, and that near
est the surface lS feet. To get a founda-
tion above water for The fort, OF castle, an
island has been raised-by throwing rocks
into the water until, by gradual accun Ia
ton, i, has emerged above the tides. Tie
rock of which this island is formed, has been
brought from great distances and at vast ex-
pense.'
'Afer foundation was obtained for the
castle above high water, the building OF the
castle was begun, and carried up so as II
form the first cnhrasures. 1t was found that
the settling of the artificial mound of stone
cracked the walls The building was, there
fore, discontinued; but immense masses ol
granite have since heen brought aud lodged
upon the lines of the work, that the weight
of the material, designed for lis faal compile
ton, might be employed in consolidating It
foundations For some years this marine
pyramid sunk between six and eight inches
during the last year, although pressed with
the weight of all the material gathered ior
The superstructure, it settled about three
inches. Ii is the Presidents opinion, tina
the erection of the castle may now proceed
with safety, and it is probable that he vii!
direct its immediate completion.'