The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-03
OUR nARB0R DEFENCES.
I" DEFENCE NOT DEFIANCE"
Completion of the Old Works..
Progress Of the New.


''Let us have peacen but while IN the enjoyment
OF that priceless blessing let US examine our deIences
and make sure that we are thoroughly prepared for
war. The politica. horizon as seen from our point
OF view, Is remarkably clear at present There s In
fact, but one solitary c0ud-the Alabama question
and that, as yet IL not so large as mans hand; but
then who knows from winch quarter the wind will
blow next. whether 1t will be laden with airs from
the realms where peace forever regns blasts from
the region where eternal dlscord ragesi The mil.
lennium Is not yet, nor have the most sanGuine be-
levers IN that ''g0od time coming" discovered the
rst sign 0f its spproach, and therefore we may
pect to be troubled with wars and rumors OF wars
for some time yet, and cannot be too well prepared
During the late domestic unpleasantness the
etartling discovery was made that the Empire City
was completely at the mercy Of an enemy's neet.
Forewarned then. we are now f0rearmed. In the
event OF war the inhabitants Of this ana the adjacent
cisies need DO under no apprehension OF capture
bOmbardment, Tor 80 complete are the deiences OF
New York harb0r that We are IN q position to defy
the navies Of the world. Since the war the old
works, which modern improvements IN the science
OF gunnery had rendered worse than useless, have
been so thoroughly reconstructed that the engineers
who Designed them would have great dlfhculty in
OF immense strength, armed and appointed with the
most approved appliances for opposing the approach
OF hostile vessels have been erected on every advan.
tsgeOus position.
The majority Of these works are now almost COM
plete IN structure aud armament and the extern.
eions and improvements which are being made here
and there are progressing rapidly. The present
armament OF the forts and batteries amounts to the
formidable total OF 1000 guns OF the heaviest caibre
and 80 complete ia the system OF land deiences that
all that would be required OF an ironcad eet in the
way of cooperation would be to steam somewhere
out of the way aud give the batteries clean sweep
In the absence OF our iron-cad fleet the first OBJ
stacle In the way OF any hostile naval expedition
having New YORK for It's objective point would be
SANDY HOOK FORT,
winch Is situate at the extreme point OF the Hook
ana commands the main ship channel. The i'm
portance OF this position for defensive purposes was
frequently pointed out by eminent military engi-
the construction Of iorllncations there The work
once started the Importance OF the position became
stiil more manifest and the original plan was apan
doned IN favor OF one which embraces ali the advan-
tages OF the site and turns them to the best possible
account. Although frequent interruptions have &C.
CURED conseousnt upon alterations In the
plans and delays Ia making the necessary appro.
pratons, surprising progress has been made so
lar and 1t Is Understood that 1t has recently been
decided to complete the Notifications at this point
with ali possible speed. The authorities are COM
mendably reticent concerning the details Of the
present plan ana only Few privileged persons have
been permitted TO inspect the existing WORKS. 1t
may De stated, however, that when completed Sandy
HOOK Fort Will rank next to Fortress Monroe In point
OF magnitude, and Its strength will be pr0pOrtlonae.
The exact strength OF the place, however Will only
then every facility will be afforded to the enemy VINO
wishes TO learn the numOer and calbre OF the guns
In position. The garrison OF Sandy Hook Fort will
ne able TO give grim welcome to an invading feet,
and seriously impede, II not eectually prevent Its
approach to the Aarrows.
FORT HAMILTON,
which stands on the Long island side of the Narroys
has undergone extensive alterations and improve
ments within the past few years, and is no. sup
Principal among the improvements is the extension
OF the water battery which extends about 500 yards
along the 'front.' al an elevation OF about sixty feet
above the sea, and IS mounted with guns OF the
heaviest caibre. At low water the channel between
Forts Hamilton and Lafayette contains but fourteen
feet OF water and when the extension and arma-
ment OF the water battery shall be completed IL will
DC O ,S any vesse no matter now
which can be concentrated at this point. The new
magazine has capacity for slowing about million
pounds OF POWDER The garrison Of Fort Hamilton
Is under the command Of Brevet Brgadier General
FORT LAFAYETTE,
whics Is also on the Long Island slde has been
somewhat improved OF late and Is capable OF being
etl further improved. The plan for removing II
aud substituting An enormous revolving turret OF
impenetrabe metal, mounted with nothing smaller
than twentyHnch R0dmans and 10O-p0under Par
E0t"' is oeneVea y Ss sun Sa9sr consideration
Or Richmond, as 1t ,s sometimes called, Is massive
and extensive work, and 49, IN the opinion Of CON-
petent judges, as near mpresnable any fortlnca-
sion can be IN these days. Its 200 heavy guns are
ranged In three tiers Of classmates and one Ell
outlying works IN the shape OF water batteries.
North Cliff and South Cliff batteries occupy SPLEEN.
did positions, and are mounted with the heaviest
ordnance. Huds0ns battery extends in curve
from South cha to the redoubt which completes
She line OF defences The ground around Fort Rich.
perched on the brow Of the nil to the east OF the
fort can play havoc with anything In the shape OF
This post is commanded by Brevet Colonel Cermont
L. Best.
FORT ToMPKINs,
which Is situated on the summit OF the hill over.
looking Fort WadswOrtn. Ia designed to protect the
lower Notifications from attack by land, ana can
also render material assistance in repellng the
eneny's vessels. 1t occupies position Of great
naara strength and presents formidable front on
either side.
GOVERNORS ISLAND.
Surprising some slight remnant OF the enemy's
armada should escape anninIlatI0n from the outlying
fortincatIons and pass SAFELY over the torpedoes
She channel, 1t would undoubtedly come 10 grief
before this last bulwark Governors Island. by
position and conformation, Is admirably adapted
Tor defensive purposes. Il presents natural gacs,
AMI Its batteries occupy most advan age0us posi-
tions. The island Is al present divided into TWO de-
partments the recruiting depot and the arsenal.
General Nelll who has command OF the recruiting
department. also has charge OF the fortlfcatlons.
The arsenal Is under the charge Of Colonel Laidley.
The magazines OF the different forts contain together
over LOO, 0JV pounds OF powder, and very cOnsd.
cradle quantity OF "vlanous saltpetre" Is stored in
the arsenal.
CASTLE WILLIAM
was considered quite a formidable structure some
modern projectiles would materially alter It's anti
4uated outlines. IL Is now used as a receiving house
Important, and there is no doubt that the old
fort Will soon be relieved from duty by servceable
earthwOrk.
which il situated at the northwest corner OF Gov
ernor's Island, is work Of immense strength. 1t is
htar shaped, with four basions covers an extensive