After a full view, Heath directed Colonel Hand to fix upon one of the best subaltern officers and twenty-five picked men of his corps, and assign them to this pass, as their alarmpost at all times. In case the enemy should make a landing on Throg's Neck, this officer was to be directed, immediately to take up the plants of the bridge, and to have everything in readiness to set the mill on fire; but not to burn it unless the riflemen should be unable to check the advance of the enemy. Colonel Hand was also directed to assign another party to the head of the creek, and to reinforce both, in case of a hostile descent. He received at the same time, ample assurances of support in exigency, and made his arrangements accordingly. After the arrival at New York of the Royal armament, the secure possession of the Hudson River, formed a subject of great anxiety, both with the Continental and State Congress. During the summer, numerous large hulks and heavy chevaux-de-frise had been placed and sunk in a line across the river at Fort Washington, for the purpose of effectually blocking up the passage; and additional obstructions were in the course of preparation, consisting principally of ships filled with stone and which were nearly ready to be submerged in the channel. The river at this point was commanded by batteries on the York and Jersey shores. On board the sloop at anchor, near the obstructions, with his celebrated machine for submarine explosion, called the American turtle or torpedo, as the ingenious Mr. David Bushnell of Saybrook in Connecticut, anxiously waiting for an opportunity for blowing up his Majesty's men-of-war.