New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-25
ACTIVITY AT NEWPORT NEWS
THE NEW FORT TO DEFEND THE SHIP
YARD.
GOVERNMENTS LARGE INTERESTS IN THAT
REGION-sPAN1sH SPIES SUSPECTED
OF DESIGNS on THE SHIP
BUILDING PLANT.

ny TELEGRAPH TO IHht>-''
Newport News Va. May 24.-The united
States Government confidently expects to have
a great deal Of it's work in the future done at
the mammoth plant Of the Newport News Ship
building and Drydock Company, and the war
Department Is now making active preparations
for the effective defence of the immediate ap-
proach TO the shipyard by way Of the James
River.
An official connected with the Army branch OF
the service informed The Tribune correspondent
tonight that work will begin in a few days on
n permane nt fort at Point Breeze, the extreme
southern boundary Of the city. which Will cost
at least 5000 900 This is IN direct confirmation
of the story published in The Tribune some
weeks ago about formidable defences for the
shipyard.
This little stronghold will have emplacements
after the most modern ideas. and will be so con-
structed that It will command the approach to
the mouth of the James River for twelve miles
below In Hampton Roads. seven miles across
and as many miles above the shipyard. 1t Will
be about two miles south Of the shipyard The
battery will be of unusual power. especially for
a fort Of such small dimensions as II Will he. In
addition to mortars. there will be disappearing
rifles rapid-ire guns and rifles and the custom
airy secondary battery of from to FOUNDERS
The little fort VIII he manned by batteries sta-
toned here permanently.
THE NEW FORT NEEDED.
According to the official who gave out this In
formation. the Department heads decided that
Fort Monroe is not sufficient protection for the
Newport News shpyard. in View of the great
amount of work the Government proposes to
have turned out at this plant. The fort when
completed will have a range of at least three
miles below Fort Monroe. and as the site Sc
ected commands a splendid view of Hampton
Roads In the vicinity of the famous old strong
hold the new and the old forts will be able to
cooperate with deadly effect against hostile
ships should they attempt to pass up into the
James River for the purpose of destroying Gov
eminent property.
One year will be required 10 finish the Point
Breeze empacements and mount them with
modern guns There are more evidences than
this intention on the part of the War Depart
ment that the plant of Coils T. Huntington Is
to be a hive of Government industry In the near
future.
c. b. circuit. president Of the company Is non
in the city. and it is limited that before he goes
away some important decisions Will be reached
1t is no longer a secret that when the proper
time arrives Mr. Huntington will extend his
plant another half-mile UP the river. and estab-
lish an armor-plate plant. and possibly an ord
nance plant
With a plant where ships are building. an
other plant where armor plate Is manufact-
ured a factory where ordnance is turned out
and the largest drydock in the world. capable OF
holding any two warships and speedily repair
ing them in time Of war and peace. the Govern
ment cannot afford to leave its extensive inter-
ests in Newport News unprotected
MAGAZINES AT NEWPORT NEWS.
Senator Martin Of Virginia. is authority also
for the statement that the time Is not distant
when the Government will establish its principal
magazines in this vicinity. which will make an
other reason for demanding proper protection
The advantages Of Newport News as a CONNER
ca point. railroad terminal and Industrial
centre have attracted the attention Of the out
side world and now the Government recognizes
its advantageous situation as great military
point. and proposes to enlarge Its interests here
The Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry
dock Company will get the bulk Of the contracts
for the construction OF batte-ships and mont
tors. That is foregonc conclusion. and the
company Ia making active preparations for n
large increase In force. Within the next year
eight thousand men Will be employed in the
shipyard
There are Spanish spies in Newport News
The Tribune correspondent has obtained infor
nation to this effect and AT present no less than
three persons arc under observation by the Gov
eminent and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
detectives.
SUSPECTED MAN
A dark skinned foreigner, shabby dressed
who occupies position somewhere in the foi-
age on the bluff overlooking the shpyard.
whence he can everything going on inside IL
known to have a book full Of notes and num-
Der Of plans. one Of which. showing the outline
OF the Virginia coas. In the vicinity OF the
capes, has been seem II is said. by one OF the
detectives.
Yesterday afternoon Chief James r. Heck. Of
the Chesapeake and Ohio detective force. casu-
ally got in conversation with the man, who In
answer to his queries gave the name NJ Henry
l.. Workman. OF Madison, Wis. though further
investigation developed his ignorance of that
part of the country.
WOrtham claims to be a mach!nist looking for
work. but other persons have seen maps and
other drawings in his possession. which. coupled
with the strangers desire for information re-
gardng the geography Of this portion Of vir-
ginia. and his constant vigil over the big ship
building plant. give rise 10 the belief that he Is
a Spanish SPY. Workman has been noticed in
close consultation after dark with two other
men OF foreign appearance who are also under
surveillance. The boarding place Of all three
has been found and the minute the strangers
make move they will be taken into custody.
Everything is in readiness for the arrival Of
the Maryland infantry and the Connecticut
heavy artillery at Fort Monroe on Thursday
All Of the quarters have been arranged TO ac-
commodate the large force comfortably Ar
rangements have been made by the war De-
partment with the proprietor of the Hygeia
notei, III OIu iOint, lot the accommodation OF
the Maryland infantry officers at that famous
hosiery. The Dixie lazily swings at her anchor
off the shipyard. and the Yosemite Is still off
Old Point. The Government GOLFERS Justin and
Rhetia are coaling al Lamberts Point The
Armenia and the fank'on are receiving their
finishing touches at the Navy Yard and the Nc
kec awaits orders.
TIE ACTIVITY AT GIBRALTAR
Madrid May 2f.-It Ia said that the concenfra
ton OF Spanish troops in the neighborhood NJ