A Patriot redoubt built in June 1776, located on Signal Hill at The Narrows on Staten Island. Site of an earlier 1663 blockhouse that stood until at least 1808,[1] preceded by one built by Dutch settler David Pieterszen de Vries in 1636 and destroyed in the Peach War of 1655.[2] Taken by the British in July 1776 and by July 1779 a redoubt with gun platforms for 26 cannon was built. Two months later, six 24-pounders and four 18-pounders were recorded on hand. In 1782 the fort had five bastions and several barbette batteries. Evacuated by the British in 1783 at the end of the Revolution.[1] In 1806 Flagstaff Fort was demolished and Fort Tompkins was built on the site, reportedly enclosing the 1663 blockhouse with red sandstone.[3] That fort along with others grew into Fort Wadsworth.[3] The site is now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area of the National Park Service.
Flagstaff Fort | |
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Staten Island, New York | |
Coordinates | 40°36′18″N 74°03′24″W / 40.60500°N 74.05667°W |
Type | Redoubt |
Site information | |
Owner | National Park Service |
Site history | |
Built | June 1776 |
Built by | Patriot forces |
In use | 1776-1783 |
Demolished | Replaced by Fort Tompkins in 1806 |
Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
Garrison information | |
Occupants | National Park Service |
See also
editReferences
edit- Roberts, Robert B. (1988). Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States. New York: Macmillan. ISBN 0-02-926880-X.