The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-01
OUR HARB0R DEFENCES.
The Fort in Course Of Construction at
Willet's Point.
ITS STRENGTH AND FORMATION.
The Progress Made Towards
Completion.

TO th00e who hGv0 had occasion 70 travel on Long
Island Sound any period during the past three years.
the highly valuable accession TO the deences Of har
Dor In the fo now In course Of construction ct wiets
Point has certainly proved object Of interest," which
visit Of inspection has failed TO repay but apart
from such, little s known Of this great work and IL
progress by many while there are Others who are doubt
less Totally ignorant Of It's existence.
The fort was designed BY W. p. Trowbridge .
West Point graduate and agent Of the Engnce whose
name In connection with the construction Of
merous works Of the kind is quito familiar 10 the
public and late In the fall Of 1862 the ground rs
broke and tho excavations begun. It necessary TO
dig for considerable depth. the point chosen being
high bluH OF land and when the proper level was at
taned tho following spring. the foundation was Laid
The hitter s Of great strength and durability being built
twelve feet below the surface and Of solid masonry,
resting on cement
large force OF stone cutters, masons and iaborers
have since been constantly employed except In frosty
weather. when tho services OF the later workmcn arc
dispensed with until the entire disappearance Of the
frost permits OF udicous continuance Of the masonry,
which generally about tho latter part Of April. But
little work has been DONE consequently since the middle
Of December, when King Frost stormed the fort and
drove Off the just they were completing the
Of the second tier The exact size and fora
ton Of the structure proposed by the government
known by the gineers-ths is beyond the water
'front.' instructions having yet been received to
the building Of the land sdo As they proceed in their
work they receive their instructions that what the
exact dimensions strength will be cannot we'll be est
mated Its present appearance, however, may assuredy
be said to warrant the opinion that IL will provo ono Of
the most formidable Of our harbor defences; while,
glancng across tho Sound from willets Point 10
Fort Schuyler. one 10 most forcfbly impressed
NTH tha that mild Ia
risky, perilous and warm channel for enc
my's feet to attempt passage So far the fort Is Of
triangular FORM with abastion ct the angle, which Is
called the Channel bastion because II commands fire
both up and down tho channel well as cross fire
upon the enemy in case Of their effectlng landing
When the other guns would be unable 10 play them at
such close quarters the smaller ordnance Of the bason
would be brought into requistion The northwest wing
curtain the lower tor has embrasures for eight
thrteeninch guns, and the northeast wing similar
number Tho walls arc eight feet thick and Of solid
masonry. Each casemate is provided with wrought
iron shutters two inches In ameer. VIII ch form pro
tection 10 the gunners while loading The door Is OF
polished blue stone which gives neat effect TO the In
terror spiral stairway, also Of stone, leads to tho
upper part. The sewerage ID complete and admirably
water which washes il carrying Oh ali the refuse and
cleansing that channel The upper tier intended to
mount on each wing ten guns Of large calibre MT.
be when completed the fort will have three bas
tons on the either angle. The pre
ent extent OF the water front from point TO point meas
ures three hundred and sixty feet
The fort rock faced with the exception OF the bor
Of the embrasurcs, that neatly chiseed and
smoothed or which gives very fine effect TO the exte
ror Of the work. In comparison with the finish OF other
parts masonry BY rock faced In meant rough and
nnnrished blocks OF stone, being TAKEN however
that the projecting parts Of masonry will not occur In the
lower parts Of the WALL whore they might possibly be
made available by . storming party means Of a.
cent
The stone which 10 Of gray granite, comes In large
| blocks from the State Of Maine 1t Is hosted from
the vessel 10 dock by means OF steam crane OF I'm.
power stationary there for thai purpose, and
being placed upon . truck in waiting, the latter h
hauled up the rnilroad track 10 the stone yard by
means OF q chain worked BY one Of Andrews
shed the summit Tho ascent 10 about hfty Feet
and order fully estimate the great amount Of abo
requisite handling this heavy material one has but
TO witness thas he may estimate the value Of this con
trvHncs Indeed the vicinity Of the fort bears
decidedly gdron aspect roads intersectug al every
point OF the work Upon the main or wide track In tht
yard Is Q steam crane, which can be moved rapidly
to and fro picking up weights VI ten tons at tme
and requiring but little labor tho part OF the meu
direct Il.
about sixty In ALL the stonecutters, however, In al
seasons ply the chsel and mallet causing their shed
echo from morning till night with their sharp nintI
notes. they hew the rough Stone 10 the required form
Here too Is 70 DO found another instance OF the pro
gressiOn OF the In adapting mechanical ingenuity
the economy OF labor Overhead and close 10 either sid
OF the building found trestie work extending from on
end Of the shed the other upon which Is run con
trivance called travelling house" crossing which Is
hydraulic jack which lifts the stone OF several tons iron
the car and sets down al any part OF the shop re
quired the movement being directed with much eas
| by n couple Of men .
No guns have yet been placed in position although
the lower tier Is fully available for their reception. Tn
finishing touches will not be given IN all probability
| for the next three or four years