Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-16
TEE STORY OF ELLIS ISLAND.
Interesting Incident, Of Life In GOV.
eminent Powder-MaGazine.
INorr Nnrk I'll mos

lion Of the forts and Notifications o
New York appearing in certain guide
books to the city and its surrounding
no connected record appears to have
been kept Of the islands which have
been incorporated with New York city
Ellis Island, or Fort Gibson, as it wa
formerly called, is north Of Bedloe''
Island, about COO yards distant and
close to the Jersey shore, although in
cluded in the First Ward Of this city
The fort formerly mounted twelve
guns, and was garrisoned by q detach.
ment Of United States troops until some
time during the "fifties," when it was
formally transferred to the ordnance de-
partment of the navy to be used as a
magazine.
Until 1860, however, the army nom-
inally controlled the ratification, which
was annually visited by an officer con.
nected with the military service. In
1881 an order was received directing
the removal of the guns and the dis
nantling Of the fort. Since then the
island has been under the absolute con-
troll of the Chief of the Bureau OF
Ordnance, Navy Department, Wash
ington. The early history ofthe island
appears,to be somewhat shrouded in
obscurity, although it is known that
the land formerly belonged to the heirs
Of the Ellis estate. The family resided
in New Jersey, and the surviving male
descendant of it died about eighteen
months ago in Jersey City.
Very little Of consequence appears to
have taken place during the occupancy
Of the island, although il is recorded
that nearly fifty years ago three noted
pirates-Gibbs, Warmsley. and Ger
man, name unknown-were executed
there according to law for their mis-.
deeds upon the high seas. During the
time the island was garrisoned by
troops, one murder is known to have
been committed there during drunken
ARRAY between two soldiers. A ro-
mantle story is still told by the
older residents of New Jersey, recount
ing the brave deed of handsome young
girl whose lover was imprisoned for
some military offence, and attempted to
desert the island in small boat which
had been provided by his sweetheart.
In the attempt the boat capsized and
both were drowned. Old boatmen and
others to this day declare that the
spirits Of the lost lovers haunt the
island, and that they have been fire.
Quently seen strolliDg arm in arm along
The narrow beach close by the spot
where they met their untimely end.
Six births have been recorded as
taking place upon the island since its
occupancy, in each instance the name
of Ellis being included in the Christian
name of each child. The little son of
the present commander OF the island
was born October 81, 1885, and was
duly christened Gerald Ellis CrOnin.
During the war OF the rebellion i'm
mense quantities Of powder were
securely stored upon the island,
while the she'll rooms were lite
rally packed with projectiles of every
description. There are at present five
compartments used for the manufacture
Of charges of powder and the storing
of shell and other projectiles. Not
withstanding the dangerous character
of the material, no instance has yet
been reported Of an accident by explo-
sion since the island was used as a
magazine. This is due to the extraor-
binary precautions observed by the EN-
ployees, under the direction of the Off
Ger in charge, who in each instance has
been selected from the ranks Of the
guDners Of the navy.
Notwithstanding the great care OBJ
served in handling shell several narrow
escapes from accident have been re-
ported. Upon one occasion while I'M
loading some sixty-pound shells from
sloop Quarterman Cook noticed white
smoke issuing from the box containing
the proectiles. Hastily snatching il
up, he passed it from the hold to the
deck above, shouting to the men at the
shell-whip to throw the blamed thing
overheard" The men fed for their
lives, while Cook, coolly climbing on
deck, threw the smoking shell into the
river. For this brave action he was
complimented in general orders by the
Chief Of Ordnance.
Although the force employed at the
magazine at one time numbered sixty
men, but one death is known to have
occurred on the island. In 1865 Michael
Bryant, Waterman, while eating din.
ner was seized with fit Of coughing,
in which he burst blood-yessel and
died before medical attendance could be
summoned. There are at present but
four watchmen employed about the
island, one Of whom is constantly on
duty to prevent the landing Of pleasure
parties without permission and in
noting signals, The island is reached
by means of a rowbost from
the jersey shore, small red
flag on the flagstaff near the
landing notifying the man on watch Of
the presence of visitors. The men thus
employed belong to the ordnance de-
partment of the New York navy-yard,
and are paid for their services at the
rate Of 81. 20 per day. With but one
oxcantion the men now serving on the
island have performed honorable ser
vice in the navy. Gunner Cronin en-
tered the navy in 1855, when but a
more lad, serving in the expedition
to Paraguay in 1850. In 1861 he
Joined the ship Brooklyn, under Admi.
raj Farrsgut, and took part in all of
the noted engagements with that
famous commander. While serving
as chief gunner's mate on board the
Richmond, in 1868, no was presented
with a medal Of honor for personal yalOr
and close attention to duty while at
tending to signals and steering the
vessel during the historical action in
Mobile bay. Gideon Welles, while
secretary Of the Navy, referred to
the brave action of Gunner Cronin du-
ring his connection with the navy,
and TO the recommendation Of Mr.
welles is due the promotion which
has been bestowed upon thepresent COM
mauder of Ellis Island. Frederick