Fort Hamilton (3)

Fort Hamilton (3) (1798-1812) - An Second System Coastal Fort first established in 1798 on Rose Island, in Newport County, Rhode Island but never completed. Named after Alexander Hamilton, patriot and statesman. Abandoned as a fortification during the War of 1812.

Second System

Built as a 60-gun fort with four bastions. Two of the bastions were circular and two were shaped as polygons. The southwest circular bastions was filled in and the present lighthouse was built on it in 1869. The northwest bastion was roofed over but is now open to the elements. A nine-room brick barracks was completed and used for a time.

Beginning in 1883, the old fort was used as a storage area for explosives and torpedoes for the U.S. Navy. A few old naval ammo bunkers still remain.

World War I

Additional magazines and barracks were built after World War I.

World War II

Anti-aircraft defenses were emplaced near the lighthouse during [[World War II.

Current Status

Part of Fort Hamilton Historic District on Rose Island, Newport County, Rhode Island.

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Location: Rose Island, Newport County, Rhode Island. Maps & Images Lat: 41.496364 Long: -71.341139 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 0'

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 702
• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Hamilton
• Wikipedia - Fort Hamilton

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