The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-12
THE FORTS ON THE FLORIDA REEFS.


In regard 10 the forts the Florida reefs quote the
following from the last report of the Secretary Of War.
1t win be remembered by readers that the steamer
Joseph Whitney sailed from Boston few days ago with
troops take charge Of these forts but is thought the
Florida State troops would precede them in the
pancy these important works. The following dcscrp
ton OF the condition Of the works will afford some idea
Of their procticability for present defence
FORT CLrScH, AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA.
Duriog the past year. the east south ana southwest
arches curtain walls connecting them have been
red the reference Of the ophoes all the galleries
have been finished with the exception OF asphalting their
roof surfaces and placing the door aud window frames
the gateway foundations OF piers Of sink gallery have
north blston have been completed Barbete platforms
for the north and basons have been procured
and large amount OF materials accumulated Tor the
working season. With the funds on hand II In pro-
posed complete the masonry Of the encente and as fr
practicable, The onbankmeut OF the rampant TO put
rampass a the two channel fronts in condition 10
ceye their armament pave all the bastions in order
PROV do the flank defence and TO put down the bar
bette raor Of the bastons bearing on the channels
the purposes described to complete the work there re-
main the eubankment Of the unfinished portions o. land
'front.' rnmpis, bl east height walls barbet platforms.
excavation OF ditch, cmbapkmeut OF counterscarp and
covered way, breatheghi gIacs, quarters, workshops
In a,propriaton Of 500 900 estimated by the on
Ger In charge TO sufficient for the operations stated
shis amount win suffice to make the work susceptible Of
occupation and defence not TO complete Y In detail,
but Il Is necessary 10 reduce the sum IN the estimate
PORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLORIDA.
Tie wear opel aticns have been chiefly directed to-
wards the completion OF the babette tier and the third
story Of the soldiers quarters The earth filing o. the
tire paapc has be, gathered and put IN place and the
concrete covering laid from breast height scarp form
cd the circuit Of the castle The main arch roofs
Of the whole work have been asphaed aud the drainage
brick courses lead fashngs the gutter arches and
the manolcs have all been completed within the
The earth ng Of the tereplen has been gathered and
placed, and the concrete foundations (z thick) for
ar the ccumbiad platforms (ortysx) have been form
ed The walls and chmneys of the soldiers quarters
have been completed oil above the second floor forming
part Of the seasons work The masonry OF the postcrn
has been flushed aud the main magazine and hall door
have concreed section Of the quarters has been
put under roof and OF the third story pas
tered and partly finished The roads for hauling materials
have been extended and repaired and quantity of stone
coyerface.
The appropriation Of $40 for ls6O,ol will bs dvi
ded between finishing the castle and building the ncos
ing wsis and ling the ncosurc OF the covcffsce This
will provide Cor mounting the entire armament OF the
castle and for ncosing the soldiers quarters besides
pasterng and other parts OF the inside aish II
will also make effective beg inning 20 the coverace
The operations for the year 1soe2 should be directed
10 completing the caste TO building tho balance OF the
ncosnu or sea wall of hr covcrfsce 20 filling this nco.
with earth 70 starting the piers and arches OF the
coveracc gun and store casemaies and to building the
wharf and bridge for these objects the
OF $50 600 is asked by the cccr Ia charge but this
amount s necessarily reduced In the estimates presented
PORT JEFFERSON, GARDEN KEY, roRrU0As, FLORIDA.
During the year 40 Of the upper casemae arches have
been formed aud the remaining thirty six will be
Completed the scsrp wall has been raised from thirty 10
huiy two ond half feet above low water and
raj small magazines have been ltted UP.
The work may now be regarded ~ capable OF making
some defence but time should be lost IN npctpg H.
The Appropriation for the present year 1915 0oc and
the ash Cd for the next Il made win be applied 70
the erection OF barracks officers quarters prepsrs
tory to the occupation Of the tort BY troops.