Muscatine Weekly Journal

The Rip Raps.—Fort Calhoun, or the "Rip Raps," is an immense foundation for a fortification in Hampton Roads, about equidistant from the main land north and south. It is situated on the south edge of the ship channel and completely commands the navigation of the James river. It has been for some years loaded with hundreds of tons of loose stone to aid in settling the walls. Though not a secure fortification in itself it is an admirable place for a rifle cannon battery as is shown by the facility with which shells were thrown from it into the Sewall's Point battery four miles off.