The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-03

Government Plans for the Protection
of New York HarbOr.


of New York HarbOr.
New York Herald.
From military sources it is learned that
general plan has been agreed on by the
War and Navy Departments relative to the
control OF commerce and shipping in the
port of New York. in the event of HOSTILE
ties. The plan has not been made public,
but some OF its most interesting features
declared, guard vessels would be stationed
at Sandy Hook and at the Narrows on the
south side. and at Hell Gate and Willets
Point to the eastward All vessels ap-
preaching New York would have to report
at the outer guard shipst and have their
papers examined. If found correct, they
city. The papers would be re-examined by
the inner line of guard vessels, but the ex-
animation would be of short duration so
long as there was a wise from the outer
vessels.
In passing out to sea the first examina-
ton would be either at He'll Gate or at the
Narrows. Both positions would be con-
nected by military telegraph with the outer
stations. Should a vessel attempt to pass
the inner line and run to sea, the fact
would be communicated by wire to Sandy
Hook or WilletS Point, and the outer line
would take steps to stop her. No vessels
except those of the government and those
having special authority would be permitted
to pass in or out of the harbor after night
fall. The guard vessels and torpedo craft
assigned to the protection of the port would
overhaul and examine at all times, where
deemed advisable. every form of craft COM
ing under observation. Foreign war ships
would not be permitted to enter New York
in a greater number than three, and, except
when good reasons were assigned, the stay
OF foreign war craft would be limited to
eight days. At Sandy Hook. Willets Point
and at Fort Hamilton a detail of naval off,
GERS and few signal men would be sta
toned in a consulting capacity. The naval
officers would be expected to give such in
formation relative to the vessels in range
as experience would dictate.
All telegraph systems leading to the
various shore points would be under the
charge of the commandant of the military
district, and when messages were to be
sent by cables by private individuals they
would have to pass through the hands of a
censor. No messages would be permitted to
be sent abroad in cipher by private senders
A ship approaching Sandy Hook by day
would have to obtain permission before she
would be permitted to come within range of
the shore defenses. Should she come in
without having first obtained consent by
signal she would be warned off by a blank
be followed by a shot across her bows, and
finally by direct shot If necessary. A ship
would have to stop and hoist her number
thus indicating her wish to enter the harbor
This signal would be answered at the fort
by the international practique. If the
answer was mo" the vessel would have to
stand out to sea under pain of being fired
on If she continued to approach.
The pilotage of the port would be in the
hands Of the military commander of the
district All pilotage not coming under the
be prohibited. The pilots would be known
as military pilots, and would be required to
take an oath of loyalty to the government
The positions of the torpedo mines would
be pointed out to them and they would be
required to observe the utmost secrecy con-
corning the defenses. All the pilots would
be given certificates showing them to be un-
der the jurisdiction of the military authori-
ties, and these certificates would be their
The corps Of military pilots, it is expected,
would be recruited almost wholly from
those now engaged in the work
The anchoring of vessels would be some
what modified. The commandment of the
port may permit vessels to anchor within
range of the Notifications. but under no
circumstances would vessels of any descrip-
ton be allowed to pass within the lines of
submarine distractions. All private YES
sells and boats of neutral powers would be
forbidden to move about the harbor, and
communication with the shore could only
be made during the day and in accordance
with the rules issued by the commandant
of the port