New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-26
THE DEFENCES OF NETWORK
HOW AN ATTACK WOULD BE NET.
THE GILLIAN SITUATION SHOWS THE MED OF
MICH WORK on NEW FoRT1F1C, TToxs

Ing OF security that 1t required something like this war
scare TO rake the czens of NewYork fully realize
the great lack and the necessity OF substantial and
modern Notifications New-York Is vulnerable only
by sea, and everything that nature could do has
been done to make II difficult for bonibarding feet
10 approach her closely enough 10 lombard her. II
the present difficulty with country like England
France it would not be comfortable prospect for
this city, and NewYork may be said to be the very
heart OF the commerce OF the United states, IT Is
question affecting not only the city itself but the
entire United states from ocean TO Now that
the Presidents message has been sent to Congress
Army officers extremely chary OF expressing any
views Oh the subject Of coast defence but The
Tribune succeeded in getting long interview with
| one OF the most prominent and able officers OF the
United States Army, whose Information regarding
coast defcnces Is wide and thorough. and who has
been identified with what progress has been made in
them. He, like all other officers docs not OF course
suppose that there is any danger OF bombardmen by
Gillian ship, for that country in case Of war would
probably need all her available fleet to protect her own
coast. But every one who has made a study OF the
military needs Of this city thinks that If the present
excitement has other effect 1t should and probably
will open the Of the citizens OF dhc country to
the great necessity for immediate and extensive
armament.
NO NEED TO FEAR THE CAPTAIN PRAT
The oftccr in question said that the only Gillian
ship which might possibly be sent to Ncw-Iork tal-
| and able Captain Prat. But this officer said, further
In that case however do not think that the vessel
could approach NewYork closely enough to do any
damage. You must remember that it Is not possible
though it has been asserted repeatedly, for menofwar
TO anchor outside of Coney Island and she'll the city
They would doubt demolish South Brooklyn. but
for effective work against NewYOrk Itself, an attack
ing fleet must positively get the Narrows. thus
lying between and under the guns OF Fort Hamilton
and Fort Wadsworth. Now, although those guns are
not improved steel rifles. they are sil effective at
range. feel that against such vessel
the Captain Pratt they would be perfectly ehectlve
| understood she is armored only below the water
line and dfeen-inch smoothbore castiron gun, even
though it throws only 400 pound rolnd shot' Is
capable OF fighting such vessel as that nj snort
| range. We have long line Of these guns, both ten
| and fifteen inch to protect the NnrTows. We would
not however In Of foreign attack. depend on the
line OF defence between Forts Hamilton and Wads-
worth Sandy Point is the first point Of defence
Although not strong place, Ike the forts NJ ule
| Narrows il will be with the sunken mortar bat
teries which are being built An attacking ship
must pass close under the point and FOR long dis
tance both while approaching and passing the point
she would be exposed to the fire from tremendous
twelve-inch steel mortars.
Then Of course we would in connection with lana
batteries all the means now available for blocking
channels and obstucting the approach Of a hostile
fleet; placing torpcdocs everywhere and sinking sub
| marine mines. The approach 70 New-iOrk through
the sound is also covered. and no doubt effectively 81
against any cruiser which the Chlians might send
Fort schuyler has many strong guns Wllietts foiht
Is ready with all appliances for sinking submarine
mines and for lining the Sound with torpedoes
THE FORTS AT THE NARRows.
Fort Hamilton and Fort wadsworh what New
Workers naturally think n when the question of harbor
defence arises. Fort Hamilton described In last
sundays Tribune In some respects Fort Wadsworth
is naturally a stronger place. The land there rses
abruptly from the Narrows aud at the extreme height
10 battery OF heavy guns. Though they arc not
weapons which be compared for an instant WIN
the terrific steel rifles and mortars the range Of these
old iron guns being naturally not great for shorter
distance they are accurate and can still do much
damage. The drilling which the men at the two forts
have received Ia the of the guns has made them
remarkably expert in handling them, and they have
| become excellent marksmen. Last summer, during
the heavy gun drill. which lasted for many weeks, eI
tremey few shots fell outside Of the 100 yard square
at distance of some miles Both OF the forts ain III
commanding positions. with free range sea
ward and with the system of vessel tracking
which war described in sundays Tribune they
could concentrate destructive cross fire on the enemy
At the sea level at the foot Of the hill on staten Island
there stands square white pile OF heavy granite work
which Is In good repair and also fun Of guns
WHAT COULD Ri DONE On SHORT NOTICE.
But not only the old 10 and II inch sInootlbore
cast iron cannon, which throw round shot and which
are cOntemptuoTsly called tea kettles by the modern
artillery officers need be relied on In case OF sudden
emergency. 1t Is hardly probable that New York city
will ever need defence without at least months
warning In that time the Watervllet Arsenal, the
Midvale steel Works south Boston Iron Company and
several other Government and contract plants could
be rushed enough to furnish some heavy guns at least
and as the modern s. 10 and ]. inch all steel bfeech-
loading rifed cannon are 80 enormously powerful II
will not require many to make the harbOr OF inns Guy
| almost unapproachablc
But il the emergency should arise suddenly that
there would be only day or two In which TO prepare
for defence, the city would s not bc wholly at the
mercy OF invading fleet. At the Army ordnance
| Proving Grounds on the point Of sandy Hook there
are number Of the latest Types OF heavy guns and
uortars. There now mounted there on carriages
one l2inch all steel brcccl loading rife. several 10
| inch. including one on disappearing carriage. ana
one inch life. There IS one great gun Of cast IRON
! WRAPPED with wire. All these guns are scrviceable
| and ready for fighting. Mounted where they are, 81
course they exposed 10 lire from any ship ~ they
| are merely mounted for testing purposes. but they
could Je easily transferred 10 place where they
were needed. Then there are number Of other guns
which have been tested thoroughly and laid aside,
| tbongh they are still serviceatle. There w)nld be
some trouble perhaps In getting carriages for them
| lint In case OF emergency they could no doubt he
| reI,cd nm IN do good work. The tweveinch gun has
an ,mmense range, and, rs II fires thousand pouhd
ebo, H. effect ON any cruiser matter how strong
| vould praably be disastrous. Then there are the
.,rslveinch all steel breechlosdng mrars, number
| n, which are now ready at Sandy Hook some being
| tested and Others waiting only to be proved IT
is proposed to arm sandy II ,ok with these uemeh-
| dOus weapons. . ,,Dc,,.
| THE ENEMY SHOULD AVOID SANDY HOOK.
I,n,u recently Sandy Hook was merely a proving
| ,ro,,d and the old stone fort which stands there
| was abandoned long ago When the hidden mortar
batteries are completed land In time Of need they c'uld
no CONNECTED soon) Sandy HOOK will be good place
for q Ship 10 stay away from. 1t Is proP''n T."
mount there mortars in groups OF four Iour !" "''S
! -, h xrorp Each mortar weighs fourteen ana a
hal, ,,,s The powder charge for each is eighty pouhus
| and tbe weight CT the shell Is $50 pounds Eicn
.fInr1 Inrr nf