New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-19
BIG GUNS FOR SANDY HOOK.
FORT HANCOCK TO BE MADE A FOKMID-
ABLE STRUCTURE
PLANS or THE WAR DEPARTMENT FOR EsTAB-
IIsHING AN EXTENSIVE AND THOROUGHLY
EQUIPPED ARMY POST At THAT
IMPORTANT POINT.
fRY rELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBrNE.l

Washington. Sept. 1S.-An necessa"- prelim-
mary steps looking to the establishment OF an
Army post at Fort Hancock. Sandy Hook, have
been taken 10y the military authorities, and the
actual work of construction will be begun at an
early date Much interest attaches to the fact.
particularly to New Workers.. Fort Hancock
will be an important Army post. At that station
extensive modern fortncations for the defence OF
New York city as 'nst hostile fleet are To he
established For a number Of years there mas
been an experimental station nj Sandy Hook at
which heavy as well light ordnance material
for the Army has been tested There are now
there a number Of modern hgh-power rifles ana
a group OF big rined mortars
SO much secrecy is observed by officers of the
Engineer Corps in charge OF the construction of
fortifcations relative to the number and loca-
ton OF guns at the new defences that 1t Is i'm
possible to learn exactly how many big weapons
are now at Fort Hancock and just what their
positions are 1t can be said, however, that the
battery there is a heavy II will be made
larger in numbers and more powerful in effect
in due course Of time There Will he few' II
any. modern defences that will equal Fort Han
cock in offensive and defensive power. Secre-
tary Lamont has shown great interest IN the
DEVELOPMENT of Fort Hancock, and General
Craighill. Chief of Engineers and his assistants
General FlagIer and his aids in the Ordnance
Department. and General Sawtelle and the Off
GERS on duty under him in the Quartermaster-
Generals office have followed his example.
Recently. by direction Of Secretary Lamont
preliminary plans Of all necessary buildings 10
constitute post for four batteries OF arulieIE
were nrepared in General Sawtelle's Office. Upon
examination the Secretary suggested some
changes i'm the plans. and these were made In ac-
hio {,ctr
have now received the approval Of the Secretary
and directions to begin the work Of construction
have been issued by him \ few days ago the
labor Of clearing off the site upon which the new
buildings are TO be erected was begun. This Ia
Dor will be prosecuted with view TO early eX-
cavations for the proposed buildings
The quarters for officers. barracks for enlisted
men, an administration building and a hospl'a'
are to be erected soon as possible. The build-
ing site is on Sandy Hook Bay south Of the pres
ont and prospective fortihcations. The quarters
Of officers will be nearest TIE bay front. Oppo-
site across an extensive parade ground t'"ar"
the sea front, will be the mems barracks Al
the southern end of the reservation will be the
hospital and at the northern end the admins
tratlon building 1t is proposed to make the
quarters barracks. administration building ana
hospital modern structures in every respect.
They will he built Of the best material, consider
otion be,ng given to strength and comfort more
esnecially The matter of architectural beauty
will not be overlooked. however. and the huld-
ings outside and inside. will present an attrac
tive appearance. They will be constructe1 ol
lght b,ff brick. The system of heating VIII ne
ILL., br. ,vater or steam. Electricity VIII br
used for lighting purposes and the pumpihs y
10 he modern throughout 1t VIII pr0DapS r.
onire two wears in which to complete All tne pIo-
,osad work AS was said above. II Is the m,eh-
lion of the War Department oihcials 70 pHce pTH
four batteries of artillery AT Fort HahcoCh. !uc
present plans Of the authorities contemplate
transfer of this number Of troops rom wy
Washington barracks TO the new Statioh anu
the abandonment Of the post IN thlS c''S'