2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
Showing posts with label Fort Warren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Warren. Show all posts
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Sylvanue Thayer, Father of West Point"-- Part 6: Long and Distinguished Career
From 1814-1815, Sylvanue Thayer was on professional duty to Europe, examining fortifications, military schools and the establishment and operation of the Allied armies then occupying France after the fall of Napoleon.
He was the superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, from July 28, 1817 to July 1, 1833.
From 1833 to 1843, he was Superintendent of Engineers during the construction of Forts Warren and Independence in Boston Harbor.
On professional duty to Europe in 1846 and general supervisor for harbor improvements in Maine and Massachusetts 1836-1843.
He was on sick leave of absence from 1858-1963.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Sylvanus Thayer-- Part 1: "The Father of West Point"
From Wikipedia.
June 9, 1785-September 7, 1872
Known as "The Father of West Point" for his work at the military academy in its early years.
Born in Braintree, Massachusetts. Graduated from Dartmouth College in 1807 and then went to West Point and graduated with the Class of 1808, after just one year. He superintended the construction of Fort Warren (later renamed Fort Winthrop) in Boston Harbor.
During the War of 1812 he directed the defense of Norfolk, Virginia and was promoted to major. In 1815, he went to France to study their military and engineering.
--Brock-Perry
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Fort Winthrop, Boston Harbor-- Part 2: Originally Fort Warren
U.S. Secretary of War described the fort in December 1811 as masonry, 12 guns and brick barracks for 40 men. On the western edge of the island was a circular battery mounting ten guns.
Fort Winthrop was originally named Fort Warren after Revolutionary War hero Dr. Joseph Warren, but that name was transferred to the new fortification constructed on George's Island.
In 1846, the United States government got the rest of the island then began construction of a Third System Fortification. It was a three-story citadel, 16 gun battery star fort.
Today it is part of Boston's Logan Airport.
--Brock-Perry
Fort Winthrop was originally named Fort Warren after Revolutionary War hero Dr. Joseph Warren, but that name was transferred to the new fortification constructed on George's Island.
In 1846, the United States government got the rest of the island then began construction of a Third System Fortification. It was a three-story citadel, 16 gun battery star fort.
Today it is part of Boston's Logan Airport.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, June 2, 2017
Fort Winthrop, Boston Harbor-- Part 1
From Wikipedia.
Fort Winthrop was started in 1808 and named Fort Warren originally until 1834 when it was renamed Fort Winthrop for John Winthrop, an early governor and leader of the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony.
It was built on Governors Island which the Winthrop family owned from 1632 to 1808. In 1808, as relations with England worsened, the U.S. government acquired land in the center of it to build a fort.
Construction on the fort took place between 1808 to 1812. It was an earthen fort in the form of an eight-pointed star. Sylvanus Thayer, later a famous West Point (USMA) superintendent, was in charge of the fort's construction.
--Brock-Perry
Fort Winthrop was started in 1808 and named Fort Warren originally until 1834 when it was renamed Fort Winthrop for John Winthrop, an early governor and leader of the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony.
It was built on Governors Island which the Winthrop family owned from 1632 to 1808. In 1808, as relations with England worsened, the U.S. government acquired land in the center of it to build a fort.
Construction on the fort took place between 1808 to 1812. It was an earthen fort in the form of an eight-pointed star. Sylvanus Thayer, later a famous West Point (USMA) superintendent, was in charge of the fort's construction.
--Brock-Perry
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Fortifying Governor's Island, Boston-- Part 2: Fort Warren became Fort Winthrop
In the War of 1812, the Sea-Fencibles were stationed at Fort Warren. Mortars were added to the fort's armament and furnaces built to heat the shot (not a goof thing for a wooden ship).
The last fort to be built on Governors Island was constructed some years before the Civil War, under the direction of General Sylvanus Thayer.
The name Fort Warren was transferred to the modern fort built on George's Island in Boston Harbor and the one on Governors Island became Fort Winthrop, named for a Puritan leader.
By 1861, the new fort had received no armament, but by 1863 mounted 25 large Rodman cannons and 11 other cannons of varying calibers.
Various companies of state militia and volunteers manned the fort during the Civil War.
--Brock-Perry
The last fort to be built on Governors Island was constructed some years before the Civil War, under the direction of General Sylvanus Thayer.
The name Fort Warren was transferred to the modern fort built on George's Island in Boston Harbor and the one on Governors Island became Fort Winthrop, named for a Puritan leader.
By 1861, the new fort had received no armament, but by 1863 mounted 25 large Rodman cannons and 11 other cannons of varying calibers.
Various companies of state militia and volunteers manned the fort during the Civil War.
--Brock-Perry
Fortifying Governors Island, Boston Harbor-- Part 1: Fort Warren
From the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands.
Fort Warren, a stone and brick star fort with brick barracks, officers' quarters, magazine and guard house, was built in 1808. The fort was on the highest part of the island.
During the War of 1812 it was garrisoned and General Dearborn considered it to be the key to Boston's harbor defense. He invited the men of Boston to come out and help strengthen the fortification.
The low battery on the southern part of the island was built several years before the war. This battery was brick and stone with a brick guard house and magazine. It mounted 15 cannons and could sweep the wide flats adjacent to the battery and fire point-blank into enemy ships passing through the channel.
--Brock-Perry
Fort Warren, a stone and brick star fort with brick barracks, officers' quarters, magazine and guard house, was built in 1808. The fort was on the highest part of the island.
During the War of 1812 it was garrisoned and General Dearborn considered it to be the key to Boston's harbor defense. He invited the men of Boston to come out and help strengthen the fortification.
The low battery on the southern part of the island was built several years before the war. This battery was brick and stone with a brick guard house and magazine. It mounted 15 cannons and could sweep the wide flats adjacent to the battery and fire point-blank into enemy ships passing through the channel.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, May 19, 2017
Governors Island, Boston
From Wikipedia
I came across Joseph Swift being superintending engineer at the Governors Island batteries at Boston Harbor. I had never heard of a Governors Island in Boston, but knew of the one in New York Harbor. I found out there was a Governors Island in Boston Harbor, but it essentially is no longer there.
According to Wikipedia, Governors Island was subsumed for the construction and extension of Boston's Logan International Airport. The island was the site of Fort Warren from 1808 to 1834 when the fort was renamed Fort Winthrop.
The island is buried in the area north and south of the airport's Runway 14/32.
--Brock-Perry
I came across Joseph Swift being superintending engineer at the Governors Island batteries at Boston Harbor. I had never heard of a Governors Island in Boston, but knew of the one in New York Harbor. I found out there was a Governors Island in Boston Harbor, but it essentially is no longer there.
According to Wikipedia, Governors Island was subsumed for the construction and extension of Boston's Logan International Airport. The island was the site of Fort Warren from 1808 to 1834 when the fort was renamed Fort Winthrop.
The island is buried in the area north and south of the airport's Runway 14/32.
--Brock-Perry
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