The sun., 1891-06-25
The Defenccs Of New York.

The hearing recently held before the Com
mission appointed to assess tho valuo Of
Plumb Island has given n toIerably clear
general idea OF the new outer line Of de-
fences OF New York and Brooklyn on the
sea approach.
The present line is at the Narrows. be-
tween Fort Wadsworth on the Staten Island
side and Fort Hamilton on Long Island,
an average distance of II miles from the
City Hall. While this will be retained.
since 1t can be made very strong when we'll
fortified, the great and increasing range OF
modern ordnance and the extension Of pop
ulatlon In all directions around New York
and Brooklyn demand line Of defence
still further seward, sincs hostile ironclads
could now do great destruction by bonn
bardment from long distance. The
new line runs from Sandy Hook to
Plumb Island. The latter is in Shcepshead
Boy. west OF Barren Island, and behind
tho eastern end Of Coney Island; and tho
Government proposes to use 1t as a site for
two mortar batteries. Col. q. L. GILES
PIE Of the Engineer Corps explained before
the Commission that while earthworks for
a gun battery could be placed upon the
Island. the cost and other considerations
would preclude such a use OF it, and that it
was not really necessary.
At the opposite end OF this line, on Sandy
Hook, there will be a gun battery, which is
now under construction. The distance
across from the Hook to Plumb Island is
about nine miles OF open water. The Sandy
Hook battery would be relied upon for
defending tho channels near by whilo the
rknr Int farxy ,,II a
pocket in front OF Manhattan Beach, where
the heaviest ironclads could otherwise lie
and throw shells cityward. That decp spot
of Rockaway Bar, called Coney Island Cham
mel, is the only point outside tho Mar
rows from which bombardment neel
be feared. The guns and tho mortars
used on this line will he 12-inch rited
bresch-loaders. 1t has been suggested
that forts might also be placed between
Sandy Hook and Rockaway by building up
artificial islands at the shallowest places as
foundations for them; hut even without
these the great range and effectiveness Of
l2-lnch guns and mortars. with auxiliary
floating batteries and submarine appliances.
will make the new outer line OF New York
defences effective. Still. 1t Is quite likely
that turret to carry two 16-inch guns may
be ultimately erected at the Beacon on
Romer's Shoals. The estimated maximum
range Of tho lG-lnch gun. according to Gen.
BENET is fifteen miles. The system OF de-
fence In that direction includes the erection
Of a mortar battery on the south shore Of
Raritan Bay to cover the ship channel lead.
ing to Perth Antoy.
For the second lne the ono Mt the Mar
rows, between Fort Hamilton and Fort Wads-
worth. measures have already been taken to
secure additional land as sites for gun and
mortar batteries. Tho ship channel there is
only about three-quarters OF mile wide, aud
Is well under command. the ground around
Fort Wadsworth showing to good advan-
tage. Batteries Of Pinch guns and turrets
of iron mounting 16-inch guns in pairs, sup
plemouted BY fixed and automobile torpe-
docs, would keep an enemy's vessels from
passing; and some Of the guns. mortars, and
tOrpedoes for this purpose are now in proc
ess OF construction.
On the other side OF New York and Brook
iyn, at the Sound approaches. u very similar
policy has been adopted. There new outer
limo has been established by the proposed
purchase OF sites for batteries at Sands
Point and Hewlett's Point. In connection
with works on David's Island. so as to
carry the defences further from the city
and prevent hostile vessels from bombarding !
the upper part OF New York at long range.
Here. too. tho existing short line from Fort |
Schuyler to Willets Point would become |
the second limo o. defence. with the tor |
pedoes OF tho Willets Point station play
Ing conspicuous part. 1t is also not un- |
Ilkoly that In tho future very much ad- |
vanced outer line will be established at the |
eastern end OF the Sound by works on Fish
sls Island. with supporting fleet of harbor
defence armorclads stationed In Gardeners
Bay IN order to prevent an enemy from !