New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-24
GUARDING THE CHESAPEAKE.
OLD FORT MONROE AN IMPROBABLE
MODERN FORTIFICATION.
HER ARMAMENT OF GREAT GUNS. MORTARs AND
MINEs-A PLACE THAT NO HOSTILE
SHIP CAN PASS.


Monroe is fttngly termed. is rapidly near
ing that stage OF completion when it will be
able to repel the advance OF an encmy's ships,
II not by the work of powerful guns mounted
its lofty ramparts. surely with the aid OF
the many submarine mines which can in time OF
war be operated from keyboard directly under
the observation tower In one corner Of the fort
The original structure is one Of the best cz-
ampes Of the famous type Of fortification de-
signed by Louis XIV's celebrated engineer Vau-
BAN The main stronghold is constructed OF
huge blocks Of granite. and is probably the
largest masonry fortress in the world OF late
expert engineers OF the United States Army
have been ndustriously at work. both within
and without the formidable. grass plotted walls
and day by day old Fort Monroe, belie'ed
by many to be obsolete. ineffective and an ideal
resort for Fourth -of-Juy" soldering. Is bcin,
strengthened to such remarkable degree that
when war Is declared the cities and coInmuni-
ties whose chief protection lies in its large guns
and death dealing submarine mines will be abb
solutely safe from attack by an enemy's ships.
Situated at the extreme point Of the Virginia
peninsula. the fort commands the full range
Of the two Virginia capes-IIenry and Charles
which are the common approach from the
Atlantic to Washington. Baltimore. the Newport
News shipyard, Portsmouth Navy Yard Norfolk
and Richmond. 1t is generally admitted by
Army and Navy officers that in the event Of
war with Spain. the shipyard at Newport News
and the Navy Yard at Portsmouth would be the
two principal objective points on the Atlantic
| Coast With the guns Of Fort Monroe work
| ing satisfactorily. these two important naval
stations will be well protected against the ad-
vance OF hostile men-of-war.
The main armament Of the fort consists OF
eight 10 and 10 inch breechloading rifles. six
teen 10 and T. inch seacoast broechoading NOR
tars and four disappearing guns. three lO-inch
and S-inch. In addition to the converted
rifles mentioned there are also two large 15-inch
guns OF old pattern the higher ramparts
which have been moved back to make room for
rapid fire rife battery. emplacements for
which are we'll under way.
The upper ramparts command a splendid view
OF the whole Of Hampton Roads. and the guns
thereon can be trained either down the bay in
the direction Of Capes Henry and Charles or
UP the James and Elizabeth rivers. with New
port News on the former and Norfolk and Ports
| mouth on the latter. all only within a few miles
OF the fort.
At the foot Of these ranparts is wide moat
and on the outer side Of this. entirely surround
number OF old. unimproved guns that can be
effectively used in checking landing parties
In the lower extremity Of the fort is the new
disappearing gun stronghold. or pit as 1t Is
termed at the post. In this elevated empace-
ment are three up to-date disappearing guns OF
10-inch calibrc. which easily have an effective
range OF one mile for each cabre II Spain
| sends warships to the Virginia capes with
view Of entering and advancing on the cities
within these modern rifles will be the first to
be used in repclliug the attack They have been
| thoroughly tested and are now in splendid
order -
| THE MORTAR STRONGHOLD.
Between the main fort and the mammoth mors
TAR battery Is n long strip Of beach on which Is
| huiIt a connecting railway This strip Is mile
| in length before it widens into the pines.
| where the sixteen mortars are located. Inc
name Pines Battery is derived from clump
of tall pines which marks the mortar strong
hold This is one Of the finest batteries OF its
kind now held by the United States. Instead
of being built Of solid masonry. after the Gus
tomary manner. the works are n combination
Of cement small gravel and sand. the latter.
which il used as outside coating. having
hoen proved TO he the most effective material
IN resist shot and shell. The mortars behind
this impregnable wall throw projectiles of the
| orormous weight of 100 and 500 pounds and
bavo q range of from two and a half to SIX
miles These valuable engines of war are
mounted on revolving carriages. having .
swinging radius Of 100 degrees. and can %
trained ON ships either above or below Fort
! Monroe.
4 placed