Fort Independence (1)

Fort Independence (1) (1801-1960) - Fort Independence began as a First System fort built on the rubble of previous forts in 1801. Located on Castle Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Initially abandoned 25 Nov 1879 it was regarrisoned briefly during the Spanish American War and saw service in World War I and World War II. Finally declared surplus in 1960.

Fort Independence Sallyport	Fort Independence 15" Rodman Cannon
Fort Independence South Side
Fort Independence on Castle Island

First System (1794-1808)

Fort Independence circa 1852 at Completion

Established on Castle Island in Boston Harbor to protect the main ship channel into Boston. Construction of the star shaped fort began in 1800 and was almost complete in 1803. Planned to mount 42 guns with two outer batteries each mounting six guns.

Second System (1808-1816)

Fort Independence was extensively repaired under the Second System plan.

Third System (1816-1867)

In 1833 construction began on a Third System granite fort built on the foundation of the Second System Fort. The new fort was pentagon shaped and had bastion at each corner. The fort walls were 30 feet high and 5.5 feet thick. Construction was supervised by Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, a top military engineer and early graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Thayer graduated from West Point after a single year of attendance. The fort was completed in 1851.

U.S. Civil War (1861-1865)

At the start of the U.S. Civil War in 1861, Fort Independence was garrisoned by the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. During the war the fort mounted as many as 96 cannon, including some 15 inch Rodman guns, capable of firing a 450 pound shot more than 3 miles.

The fort was abandoned in 1879.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Fort Independence Plan 1914

Current Status

Opened to the public as a Boston City Park in 1975.

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Location: Castle Island in Boston Harbor, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, now attached to the mainland. Maps & Images Lat: 42.338333 Long: -71.011111 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 36'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 402-404
• Weaver, John R. II, A Legacy in Brick and Stone: America Coastal Defense Forts of the Third System, Redoubt Press, McLean, 2001, First Printing, ISBN 1-57510-069-X, page 86-87
• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Independence
• Wikipedia - Fort Independence
• Fort Website

Visited: 18 May 2012

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