The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-09-28
WORK ON THE FORTS.
PROTECTING THE COASTS OF LONG
 ISLAND SOUND.
of Defensive Armamenfs
 from Watch Hill to Gardiner's Is-

land.
 The defense of the eastern entrance to Long Island Sound is a subject that has been touched up time and again by the other publications The public has been kept informed of the various oper- ations going on in the waters adjacent to this port, and description of the present condition of the fortitication will be of interest
 FORT MICHIE.
 At the presen time Great Gull Island is practically fortified and is garrisoned by Battery B, Seventh Artillery, of the regular army, in command of Captain Stevens. The Notifications have been officially designated Fort Michie, The armament of Fort Michie consists of two twelVeinch guns, and two ten-inch pieces, of the modern breech-loading style, mounted on disappearing car liages, in two impacements. The guns are in position and ready for the de- fense that will be required of them in time of war.
 Great Gull Island is the smallest in | diSci LII .lIN Ol IIit lSidllNS lpl tiiANN' iN consists of seventeen acres. Located farther out from the mainland than | Plum Island, the nearest land, its rip rapped boundaries are constantly washed by waves from the open Allan tic In stormy weather during south west wind, the surf dashes high in the air over the island. The soldiers sta tioned there lead a lonely life. In their leisure time their principal diversions are fishing and sailing. The men live in temporary barracks al the present | time. Great Gull Island has been gov ernment land for a good number of years. It's surface has experienced an upheaval since the advent of the gov ernment workmen, and one who was fa- | milar with it's outline three years ago | would hardly recognize it's form now. About three-quarters of a mile to the eastward of Great Gull is Little Gull Island. barren rock, upon which is located Little Gull light station. Its friendly gleam sends its rays over the camp of the soldiers, keeping vigil through the night with the pacing sen try.
 FORT TERRY.
 
 officially named the Notifications on Plum Island, is about two miles to the westward of Fort Michie. It's guns are not as yet mounted, but two months will see their readiness for business. It's armament will consist of two ten- inch rifles on disappearing carriages in one displacement, and eight ten-inch mortars in pits on the islands extreme eastern point Between the two pits are connecting passageways. The i'm placements are dug to the foundation of the island-into the earth and rock to depth of fifty feet in places The implements and connections are thoroughly piped and severed in mod ern fashion, as is Fort Michie, and as the other implements will be- Elec tricity furnishes the necessary light.
 At the present time Fort Terry Is gar risoned by Batteries B and N of the First Artillery, in command of Captain Hamilton Rowan. The two batteries arrived at the island September Ii for Key West, from whence the soldiers had been ordered to avoid yellow fever. A few days before the arrival of Cap tain Rowan's men saw the departure of Colonel Guenther and staff and Bat teries c, N and o, of the Fourth Artil lery for Fort Monroe. They had been located at Fort Terry for month and were sent there for the same reason that the Key West men were, to avoid yellow jack A few days adjourn on ocean, n-washed Plum Island with it's rigorous northern air, soon kills the fe yer germs
 GARDINER'S ISLAND.
 off to the south and east of Plum Island is Gardiner's Island. rich in pi ratical lore and tales of buried treasure. On the extreme northern point of the island, which juts out in a narrow stretch of land for over half mile, will be located more guns, as yet unmount ed. They are to be two eight-inch mod ern rifles Gardners Island is the largest of the group in Long Island Sound. The Qualifications are supposed to augment those on Great Gull and Plum Islands
 So within radius of i've miles few months will see the completion of the governments plans on the western side of the Race. and big guns from the three islands will readily sweep the nearby channels for the ships of an en- emy. The entrance to the Race Is about four miles wide, from Little Gull to the western end of Fishers Island. Nearly in the center of the Race is the submerged Valiant Rock, with proba- bly fifteen feet over it. This rock forms a dangerous impediment to navigation for vessels of deep draught.
 Situated in dangerous part of the Race is the famous Race Rock light house, which has been written up in prose and song, and painted by artists | who seek anything that is out of the or 1 dnary. The erection of Race Rock 1 lighthouse was wonderful achieve ment because it was built under such | conditions that the gov engineers thought it would | never be completed. The current raced | over Race Rock at speed of six knots, and the foundation for the lighthouse was lnid, stone by stone, until there ' was room for the tower above and the , little stone dwelling attached. Now where once was a dangerous impedi- ment to navigation, there is friendly sleam that sends its warning rays out to sea warning incoming vessels of the dangers of the rocks and tides.
 ENEMIES CANNOT PASS.
 The ouestionahas been raised as to whether or not warships could get