The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-08-03
pEFENCEs OF CRoNsTApr

unceasng vigilance and indomitable energy
by the Russians in repairing the
damage done by the artillery of the Allies at
Sebastopol, and constructing new fortfca.
tons, has Been also evnced in the northern
portion of the empire. Night and day thou.
sands of harday workmen and skillful engi-
neers have been employed in strengthening
the defences of Cronstadt, and rendering the
approaches to the capital perfectly imprcgna.
bic. Risbank, situated at the extreme right
as you approach Cronstadt from the sea,
mounts one hundred and fifty guns. It has
been much strengthened during the Winter
by the erection of two fanking batteries,
which sweep the lines of advance to this
formidable fortress. Risbank is an enormous
square fort of solid masonry, and, If approach
cd in regular form, might have been battered
by heavy siege guns, but the additional earth
works, which now support its tremendous
fire, will render its capture MS difficult, if not
more so, than the storming Of the Malakoff
and Redan.
Then comes Fort Alexander, which the
London Times says looks like an "uncondi
toned hay-rick;" and no doubt, the enemy
will find him most stubborn, unmanagable
and Unconditional fellow, should they ever
come within saluting distance. "Peter the
First" next shows his grinnng front, and
defes approach. Cronslot, which commands
the narrow entrance to the Neva, receives nd.
ditional aid from two three.deckers moored
across the passage, and these are again sup.
ported by a number Of paddc.seamers which
are protected, in turn, by Fort Menchikoir-
These, together with the mole-batteres and
numerous detached earth forts, armed with
the heaviest metal, complete the impenetrabl,
line of forts which occupy the south side OF
the island. Detached wolks, which had ne
existence last year, are carried across the is
| land from the south to the north side, wher,
an enormous earth work is row being con
structed, and on which three thousand mer
are daily employed. To prevent the entranc,
Of vessels submarine piIings have been sunk
leaving just sufficient space at certain inter
vais for the passage of gun.boats. This bar
rier is protected in the rear by four liners, five
irigatcs and two coryettes, besides n large
number of gun.boats. Ii is also fankrd BY ,
recently erected fort. Should Admiral Dun
das attempt to force this passage, he ma,
calculate on warmer reception than "OlC
Charley" would have received last year Mex
come the Internal machines, which we're Tn,
laughing stock of London and Paris up TO ,
recent period. But these agents of destruc
ton nre no longer the myths which they were
supposed to be.
We cannot see how any serious injury car
be done to place SO fortified by art, natur,
and science, and so powerfully defended by
race of men who have proved their metlle Sc
well ut Sebastopol. 1t was formerly suppos
ed that the combined armies of France anC
England could conquer the united forces o
the universe, and that to their fleets il woulC
be only the mercst pastimc to batter dowr
and demolish the strongest fortress. Before
the commencement of this war it was sup
posed that the world had only one Gibraltar
1t is now ascertained that there are at leas
hco others. The Allies, with nvincible oppo
stion in front, and dissensions broodinr il
the camp, may really be considered in for
lorn condition. Unless Sebaslopo be cap
tured, and the power of Russia crushed, ant
her military pride BUNDLED, the other king
doms of the Old World will begin to despis,
and defy the hitherto dreaded champions o
civilization.