New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-14
SHORE ROAD CLOSED.
IMPORTANT WORK AT FORT HAMILTON
MAKES THE STEP NECESSARY.
ARMED sENTRIEs PATROL THE FoRTIFICATIoNs
TO PREVENT CLOSE INSPECTION - NEW
RIFLES AND MoRTARs BEING MOUNT
ED AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE
PROCEEDINGS IN LOCAL
ARMY CIRCLES.

The extent Of the work going forward at
Fort Hamilton is so great that 1t has been found
advisable to close the Shore Road running between
the fort and the waterfront. An Iron fence ana
gate have been placed at the juncture OF Fort
Hamllton-ave with the road past the fort and
half-mile further eastward where the latter runs
into the continuation Of Cropsey-ave. across the
Dyker Meadow Park. near Seventh-ave.. the road
way has been closed with wooden fence, In when
there is opening on Sunday the iron gate was
open and people allowed to use the roadway,
many persons availing themselves Of the privilege.
But uniformed soldiers. with guns on when nay
onets were fixed. patrolled the Notifications and
prevented any close inspection OF them. There were
many evidences OF activity In the mounting OF new
guns on disappearing carriages. and the WORK OF
placing the battery OF mortars on the land
purchased by the Government few years ago. ad-
joining the old fort. is well advanced. The bat
terry will contain sixteen mortars in four pits
which will command the entire Lower Bay and the
ocean off Coney Island In case OF war the shore
Road the fort will be entirely closed. as the
Government owns II.
Lieutenant Colonel Ludlow. who has charge OF the
works said yesterday to a Tribune reporter: III
has been found necessary TO keep the people out OF
the Shore Road while Mt work mounting
guns We the road. and the forthcaiions are
open at that point while blasting has occasionally
TO be done. have recommended that the road be
closed temporarily. at least. and do not see
The distribution OF large quantity OF powder TO
the different forts about the harbor made yes
terday by the steamer General Me:gs. There wer"
1900 pounds received from the powder factory
at Dover y. J.. at South Amboy. and 1900 pounds
wcre delivered at Communpaw About five tons
were delivered At each fort
Bids be opened to-day for the trans
portatoa OF the new Maxim and Nordenfeldt rapid
fire guns which expected from Europe In n day
or two and whose ammunition Is expected on the
on the oas G Gs SaT 70 BEEN to
submit samples and estimates for supply OF ham
Cuba. where It is unsafe to sleep on the ground.
This is the first time tnat hammocks have been
Bids have also been asked for 900 rubber ponchos.
with the privilege OF increasing the nun'oer 10
Lieutenant Joseph Maxned has been ordered to
assist Captain Allen. OF the Signal Bureau. for the
nal balloon. which is being made ready for use at
Fort Wadsworth. Sergeant BALDWIN. who cxperi-
with the work. ]; Is not expected to haye the ap,
parPtus ready for scnas D un we Neck Mgeh NTH
,depend on the condition OF the atmosphere wAen
vessels Among other Instruments which captain
Allen has ready for use is telescope which, TX
Major-Cicncral Merritt was busy IN his Office on
Governors Island yesterday morning. preparing
a report on the results OF his Inspection Of the
forts which guard the entrance to Ncw-foik Itar-
Dor from Long Island sound lie came to the Bat
terry in the afternoon and took train uptown.
When seen by a Tribune reporter General Merritt
declined TO say anything dchnit" In regard TO tn"
condition Of the defenceS. r"marking that he was
precluded from making any public statement. ~"
intimated that he might make another Inspection
OF the Notifications IN the near future. 40 orders
have been received for tho movement OF troops IN
the Department OF tho East. but statement OF the
number OF men required 10 defend az the seacoast
forts from attacks on the lnnd side has been pre-
pared and soon as they are needed ~" h"i,
will be sent TO the points where thcy viii he o;
service a reserve force may be paced on Gov
ernor's Island.
Colonel Weston yesterday continued his expert
mcnts on improved food for the troops In "ddi-
ton TO ster!llzed beef he has had vegetables pre-
pared and the combination Is proving a success
Il tried II myself for luncheon" said colonel N"f
ton and Il fine II WAS good enough FOR general
oflccrs-in fact. FOR any one. unlc's was "A Wfi
sergeant | have seen enough actual campaign
ing 70 know how much better beef IL than bacon on
the march. and that vegetables are needed a.
VOL I hope that shall. le able 10 nave tlr
best OF subsistence Il the troops are called out