Fort Knox (1)
Fort Knox (1) (1844-1923) - A Third System Fort designed by Chief Engineer Joseph G. Totten and constructed between 1844-1869 under the supervision of Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Thomas L. Casey and others. Named for Maj. Gen. Henry Knox, first U.S. Secretary of War.
Fort Knox (1) History
Established to protect the Penobscot River valley from attack.
Fort Knox is a two level granite Third System Fort containing mounts for 64 cannons. Four batteries, mounting a total of 69 cannons, cover four lines of defense outside the main building. The largest caliber weapon was an impressive 15-inch Rodman cannon.
This fort, like all the other Third System Forts was made obsolete by the adoption of large caliber rifled cannon that could penetrate the brick and masonry walls. The destruction of Fort Pulaski by Union batteries in Apr 1862 signaled the demise of the Third System Forts.
Work stopped in 1869, the fort was still not completely finished.
Troops were stationed at the fort during the U.S. Civil War between 1863-1866 and in 1898 during the Spanish American War.
Current Status
One of the best preserved coastal fortifications in New England.
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Location: On Route 174, just off U.S. Route 1 west of the Waldo-Hancock Bridge, Prospect, Maine Maps & Images Lat: 44.56615 Long: -68.802438 |
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