Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-04-10

from prosecuting its work. Between the reefs
are passages as well defined as are the streets
in city intricate. but deep. 1t would he |
next to impossible for the feet of an enemy to
find its way into the harbor. If the buoys were
removed and the lights extinguished. Once
in the interior OF the reefs on the inner harbor,
nothing can be imagined more tranquil or Sc.
cure from storms.
The fort is built of brick and concrete the |
latter being the principal material, bricks form
ing the face of the work. The concrete is |
composed of coral rock, gathered from the
neighboling reefs and Incorporated with coral
sand, which is washed upon the keys, and with |
the best quality Of hydraulic cement, the whole
forming compact and exceedingly hard and |
durable masonry. When exposed to the water, |
so far from being softened or worn away 10y the |
waves or acids of the sea. ii becomes indss J. |
uble by an incrustatiDn of coral which the in |
sect but builds upon it, as upon natural bed. |
Many beautiful sp'cimens may be be picked off
from the foundation of the walls Just below the |
waters edge. Some varieties of coral grow
upon this basis that cannot be found upon any
OF the Key.
The tort is an imposing structure, differing
in its architectural appearance from all other |
Notifications in the United States. This effect |
is produced by the Introduction of cornce, |
revived from the middle ages, in the st,l of
the Machiculis Gallery. which went out of
fashion with the long bow, tho arquebus, and
the arbalest. This lmparts a medieval air to
the structure, the vast size of which renders i, |
grand and imposing. Within the counterscarp
wall of the fortress is embraced an area of be-
tween thirteen and fourteen acres, and the in
terror or parade Of the folt measures between
eight and nine acres.
These limits considerably exceed those of the
original Key, so that great part Of the fort
rises perpendicualy from the sea, which cir
cuaes through The ditch of the fortress, con-
tanning six feet deep of water. This obstacle
to The approach of an enemy, taken in con-
nection with the counlerscarp wall, which pre-
vents access to the scarp or main wall by boats,
renders the fortress almost inaccessible, when
! the drawhridge is raised. But in addition to
these obstacles, the entire circuit OF the ditch
is entilOded, or capable of being raked by heavy
Hawking batteries. In short, the security OF
the work against an attempt at cOup de main
is rs complete as that of Gibralter itself. A
very nice comparison might be drawn between
the great English fortress and this Gibralter of
the Gulf. Neither Of the two forts guard any
seaport or harbor OF any use except in mill
| tari point OF view, and Meth II OF them would
be OF value to any power not possessed OF great
commercial and military resources. They both
! sf'Ne us utpOtS lOI coal, pIoNlSloHs, OIuluHCe
and ammunition, and the harbors with which
they protect fulm convenient rendezvous and
refuge for the regular and privateer fleets in
time OF war. With the assistance of this for
tress, few United States ships could etiectuaIly
seal up the strait through which all the com.
merce OF the Gulf must pass to Europe and
the Atlantic ports.
Inc tort VIII mount more heavy guns than
any fortress IN America, and the cahbre des-
Tined tor that porpose is the heaviest yet intro
duced. Inc armament includes the 10 inch, or
3oo FOUNDER gun; the lOinch, or 10 FOUNDER
the inch: or ia FOUNDER, and the ~ FOUNDER,
besides r!hed guns and moitars OF the heaviest
class. The total armament will comprise some
loW h"'dred ana Dty pieces OF ordnance.
About two-thlrds OF the guns are bomb proof
caNemales. Those mounted behind open para
pets are protected from an eniladlng hire OF the
enemy .! MASSIVE tr"Strs's OF masonry nf
imi,W m'W deSlGhi mere introduced Tor the hrst tme'
iheNe are constructed on 'he teTePta" OF the
curtains ana CONTAIN onmo PROOF chambers oi
mas"@ine>, III Whlch VIII oe stored 'he ammu-
h''ion 'or 'ne service OF 'he naroeue guns