New-York tribune., 1884-11-29
AGLANCE AT FORT SCHUYLER.
PICTURESQUE, But wEAK-,NCIENT Classmates
AND ARMAMENT-CHANGEs NEEDED.

ptcrrnrsorr sl-r wcAK-.NCIENT Classmates
AND ARMAMsNr-CHANGEs NEEDED.
The Secretary of War in his annual report
for as3 said our coast with its great cities ana
important harbors is defenceless to-day against the az
tack of modern ironoai. and It s hninaling even to
imagine the modification. loss Of lite property and
prestige to which would be subjected should war
sone sndlenr upon u.s. rs the history OF nations shows
may hanrnn at any time" Dweers In New YORK
scarcely realize that this imperial city IL absolutely ~
the efv ~ the first hostile feet that cares to attack ~
The a,,rrnaehes to New-yufh bv,va; o bons Island
sn.h are designed rs be guarded ht the works at Wilet
pnjnt ani ntt seRnrief net tween These two forte "a q
ba,ttN strait rh SCHUYLER IL ht the extremity ~ ihr
eg aDa saffBW srit ~ ahi bh6Ni 90 .ihftses Netb'
| fhs Wbgie f8it IA 10 siarila'ei nha rnhhsArn enh
| dii0ihu
autiauatei srNelle nf AasrRff ~ he angie hHAf va
eEtrama fnipt ~ tho ani These easements aie iN1i
uesuue enough, win thaf green ripils aNn ah''NWf
sally mart, ieW old snpah harn guns pHahs f"M iH'
| emirasaros, a smart sentri wahlag past ana lew
soldiers longng ahout their uuforms patches "l pfsh
color AGAINST the duh background ofgrdY ani green
Sweeping tack on either side from the masonry works
are batteries with their green es'lrpmenis ana earhen
trayerses In 1888, wheg Fort schuyler was begun
walls of solid mlsonry defence against tho hedNi
est guns and old smoohbores which now grin like
tootnless bulldogs across the channs wore no doubt
death and destruction lie ine pieces of ordnance Bn
now even the more modern eartwOrks OF the fort would
bo mere playtincs modern roncad aud her tiiet
| guns. -.,,- ~ g.. . -. .,,,,..,
pout OF view for defence OF NewlOrk s adl tel by
an military men, aud the cnoi Of engineers hhs olteu
urged that something be done 20 put 1t IN Il decent state
of repair tit i. TO receive modern armament O
several wears enough work has been done on for
SCHUYLER to couneract the gradual deterioration cor
aurnt on exposing unfinished work to the ac0n or lhl
weather Among the portions of the Notifications whcu
nave never been completed. Is tie barbetlc tier of tit
main and the paradOs OF the ten-gun battery,
latter a work Cf much me and bOtn much needed IL
nut the fort in anything like "A defensible state.
In it's present contiO the position is Ike the aptaln
| of the Pnafore's Damme," wholly ndeenSipe, and
II the completion and repairs left until the treakin2
order in time make defence. Completed repaire
and with q modern armament, Fort schuyler III con
junction with the works at Wlets Point rov'ded tue,
too were properly repaired completed and armed wonld
he o use PROTECTING the torpedo lines which would he
placed in the channel in OF war. and would he ahir
TO make show OF resistance against hostile heel
But pnt IN its delensble state the cascnates and
earten raverscs OF Fort Schuyler would only be able Ia
protect the yunners from flying bits OF exploded shells
and the fire OF small should the hostile ect come
near enough TO use the latter. The prOec'ile from
| modern rifed gun of heavy caibre would penetrate
earthworks and masonry with ease, In short, an one
snmmers day nrstclass feet would silence the forts
carefully pick up the 0rpeloe and 90 on ~ way re)oc-
ing and ught officers thereof would reye IA the
| halls OF the kniCkerbOckers.