Fort Constitution (2)

Fort Constitution (2) (1791-1948) - An Second System Coastal Fort first established in 1791 on New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Oficially named Fort Constitution in G.O. 6, 1937. Abandoned in 1948.

Part of the Harbor Defense of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Initially established on the site of previous fortifications on 3.35 acres acquired from the State of New Hampshire in 1791 and 1807. The U.S. Army took control of the site in 1794. The existing Castle Fort was refurbished and garrisoned with an artillery company.

Second System (1808-1816)

The fort was renamed Fort Constitution and reconstructed as a Second System fort with higher walls and brick buildings.

U.S. Civil War (1861-1865)

During the U.S. Civil War construction was begun on a massive three tiered Third System casemated fort. Advances in rifled armament during the U.S. Civil War made the Third System forts obsolete overnight and the upgrade of Fort Constitution was never completed. During the first year of the war the fort was armed with only 25 pieces of ordanance.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Construction on the two Endicott Period gun batteries slated for Fort Constitution began in 1897 and was completed in 1904. These batteries were separate from the old fort walls and each was self contained with gun emplacements and magazines protected by reinforced concrete.
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File:Fort Constitution (2) Plan.jpg

Fort Constitution (2) Plan

Current Status

Part of Fort Constitution State Historical Site, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

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Location: Fort Constitution State Historical Site, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Maps & Images Lat: 43.0716667 Long: -70.7102778 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 498-499
• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (CCA-P-PCC), 1945, CDSG
• CDSG

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Constitution (2)
• Wikipedia - Fort Constitution (2)

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