Henry Dearborn Report 6 January 1809
10th Congress,
2st session
No. 84
Fortifications
Communicated to Congress, January 6, 1809.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:
I now lay before Congress a statement of the works of defence which it has been thought necessary to provide, in the first instance, for the security of our seaport towns and harbors, and of the progress towards their completion. Their extent has been adapted to the scale of the appropriation, and to the circumstances of the several places.
The works undertaken at New York are calculated to annoy and endanger any naval force which shall enter the harbor, and still more on which should attempt to lie before the city. To prevent altogether the entrance of large vessels, a line of blocks across the harbor has been completed, and would, as it is believed, with the auxiliary means already provided, render that city safe against naval enterprise. The expense as well as the importance of the work render it a subject proper for the special consideration of Congress.
At New Orleans to separate systems of defence are necessary, the one for the river, the other for the lake, which at present can give no aid to one another. The canal now leading from the lake, if continued into the river, would enable the armed vessels in both stations to unite, and to meet in conjunction an attack from either side. Half the aggregate force would then have the same affect as the whole: or the same force double the effect of what either can now have. It would also enable the vessels station in the lake, when attacked by superior force, to retire to a safe position in the river. The same considerations of expense and importance render this also a question for the special decision of Congress.
Thomas Jefferson
January 6, 1809.
Report.
Sir:
I am now enabled, from the reports received from the respective engineers, to form a statement that will give you a general view of the works which have been erected or repaired, for the defence of our ports and harbors, and particularly of those which have been commenced the past season.
Territory of Orleans.
Fort St. Charles, at the lower end of the city of New Orleans, and immediately on the bank of the river, is now in a good state of repair, with all its canon mounted, with the necessary apparatus.
At the mouth of Bayou St. John, a strong new battery has been erected, which commands the passage from Lake Ponchartrain to the city of New Orleans.
The battery of mason work, ordered to be directed at English Turn, is in such forwardness as to require but a few weeks for its completion.
A new fort of substantial mason work, has been commenced on the site of fort St. Philip at Placquemines: the two main bastions are completed and the canon mounted; and there is reason to believe that the fort will be completed in two or three months.
When the above works shall have been finished, it is believed that, with suitable garrisons and the number of gun boats destined for the quarter, they would afford such protection as had been contemplated.
Georgia.
Unavoidable delays in securing the necessary sites have very much impeded the progress of the fortifications in this State.
As soon as a site could be obtained, a strong battery of mason work was commenced a few miles below the town of Savannah, at Five Fathom Hole, where large vessels generally take in their cargoes. This work is in such forwardness that it will probably be completed in the course of a few weeks.
A regular enclosed fort of mason work was directed to be built on the site of old Fort Wayne, near the town of Savannah, with a battery in front; a battery and redoubt or strong block house on Point Petre, at the mouth of St. Mary’s River; and a small battery near Sunbury. The site for the fort near the town being private property, except a small part owned by the corporation, has been obtained with great difficulty, though the friendly aid of Doctor Jones, and other gentleman. All the titles are not yet conveyed to the United States, but it is expected the business will soon be completed. The unavoidable delays occasioned by these circumstances have necessarily postponed the commencement of the fort to so late a period, that it will not probably be finished earlier than next summer. No sites have yet been obtained for the proposed works at Point Petre and Sunbury.
South Carolina.
The works in the harbor of Charleston are progressing with all possible dispatch.
A new fort on the site of old Fort Mechanic, in the town of Charleston, was directed to be built of mason work. It is now completed and ready for the reception of a garrison: its situation is a commanding one.
The battery of fort Johnston has been some time since finished, and is now completely mounted with heavy artillery.
Fort Moullrie, which is little inferior in magnitude and importance to any work in the United States, is now enclosed, and ready to receive a garrison.
A new fort of Mason work on the site of old Fort Pinckney is commenced, and in a rapid state of progress.
A new brick arsenal in the town of Charleston has been built, and the public property moved into it.
It is believed, when the above works are completed and fully garrisoned, that they will, with the aid of the light and heavy artillery in the town, be adequate to such defence as has been completed.
A small battery for the immediate defense of Beaufort, S. C. with a magazine and barrack, had been ordered to be erected on the site of old Fort Lyttleton. But the land being the property of the State, and no cession having been made by her to the United States, nothing as yet has been done at this place.
A small battery, with a magazine and block house, was directed to be built at Georgetown, S. C.. The works are progressing, and will soon be completed.
North Carolina.
A battery of mason work and barracks were ordered to be erected at Old Topsail Inlet, near Buford, N. C.. Although no regular report of progress made at this place has been received, it is believed that the works are nearly completed.
The works at Fort Johnston, on Cape Fear River, with the magazine and barracks, are finished.
Virginia.
Fort Nelson has been strengthened, and a large strong battery of mason work erected on the site of old Fort Norfolk, with brick barracks.
A site and materials for a strong battery at hospital point, near Norfolk, have been procured, but too late for completing it the present season.
At Hood, on James River, a strong battery of mason work has been erected, and a regular enclosed work, on an eminence commanding the battery, is in considerable forwardness, with barracks for 200 men, nearly completed, including quarters for the officers.
Maryland.
Fort Washington, on the Potomac, between Alexandria and Mount Vernon, is a new enclosed work, of stone and brick masonry, to which is attached a strong battery of like materials. The whole is so nearly completed as to be ready for the reception of the cannon and garrison, which have been ordered, and have arrived at the fort. A stone tower has also been commenced on the eminence that overlooks the fort, and is in considerable forwardness.
A circular battery of mason work at Windmill Point, for the protection and defence of Annapolis, is nearly completed the cannon are mounted. Another battery on the bank of the Severn, below the town, is also nearly finished.
Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, is in a good state of defence.
Pennsylvania.
The works at Fort Mifflin have received considerable repair, and the cannon mounted. Some further repairs of carriages are said to be necessary, and have been directed.
New York.
Fort Jay, on Governor’s Island, with the whole of its buildings, was demolished in 1806, except the walled counterscarp, the gate, sallyport, magazine, and two barracks; all the rest was removed as rubbish, to give place for a work comprised of durable materials. On the side of the old fort, a new one (fort Columbus) has been erected, of the same shape, on three of its side, as the former, with the addition of fourteen feet on each side. On the north side a ravelin has been added, with two retired casemate flanks. The new fort, with two new barracks, is now nearly completed, and has fifty cannon mounted.
On a point of rocks, at the western extreme of Governor’s Island, a circular castle, with durable mason work, to be connected with fort Columbus by a zig-zag covered defile, has been commenced and completed to the second floor, and is now ready to receive it first tier of guns, which are mounted, and ready to be placed. The exterior diameter of this castle is two hundred and ten feet, and, when finished, will mount one hundred pieces of heavy ordinance.
On Bedloe’s island, a mortar battery commanding all the anchoring ground between Red Hook and the quarantine, and affording a protection to Ellis's island, has been commenced, and the front wall carried up to the intended height. Part of the redoubt in the rear has been executed, but, as the season is too far advanced to begin any new piece of mason work, nothing more than a continuance of execution and a collection of materials will be attempted this winter. Two brick barracks, consisting of only the walls and roof, have been raised another story and rendered habitable.
On Ellis or Oyster Island, advantageously situated for defending the entrance of North River, and open barbette battery for heavy ordinance on one platform has been ordered to be erected, and is now nearly completed. The platform is ready for the guns and carriages mostly finished. The barracks within the old fort on this island have, by some alterations, been made habitable.
In addition to the works already described, a battery in North River, two hundred feet without the permanent line of the city, off Hubert Street, has been commenced.
The foundation is of the stone, and has been carried up to high water mark, in which situation it will remain till spring. This battery is connected with Hubert Street by a bridge 200 feet long and 30 wide.
Preparations have also been made for erecting a heavy battery on a stone foundation with a superstructure of solid mason work at the southwest point of the city. The point selected has a complete command from the whole range of North river on one side to the complete width of East River on the other. Nothing more than the exterior blocks or counterguards for sinking the foundation can be affected this winter.
Connected with the plan of defence for the harbor and city of New York, the United States have purchased a house and yard in the rear of the custom house for the deposit and safekeeping of heavy artillery or traveling carriages, and all kinds of military stores, except powder. Since the purchase, a brick wall of nine feet in height has been erected around the yard. The United States has also obtained at about two miles distance from the city, a site containing nearly two acres, which has been enclosed with a wall nine feet high, and on which have been erected an arsenal, laboratory, and large powder magazine, from which the smaller deposits in the batteries can be supplied with ammunition.
At Sagg Harbor, on Long Island, a small battery, with a magazine and barracks, had been ordered to be erected, and an agent appointed and supplied with funds for purchasing the necessary materials; but, from the want of a sufficient number of engineers, to superintend the numerous works contemplated for the defence of our ports and harbors, nothing more has been done then to survey this harbor, and select a proper site for the battery.
Connecticut
In this State directions were given, and agents appointed and furnished with funds, for the erection of a battery, magazine, and barracks, for the defense of the Harbor of New Haven; for the repair, improvement, and completion of Fort Trumbull, near New London; and for erection of a small battery for the defence of Stonington. But the same want of engineers which has delayed the prosecution of the works at Sagg Harbor and several other places, has also prevented any more being done in this State then merely to select the proper site for the defence of New Haven and Stonington, and the examination of the state of the works at Fort Trumbull.
Heavy cannon, on traveling carriages, with apparatus and ammunition, have been ordered for these places.
Rhode Island.
Newport Harbor. At Fort Wolcott and Fort Adams some repairs have been made, and the works extended so as to admit some additional guns. The barracks at the latter have also been repaired.
On the main island, to the south of the town of Newport, a small battery has been erected, which commands the inner harbor between Fort Wolcott and the town, and the channel between the two ports.
At Bristol, ten heavy cannon have been mounted on traveling carriages for the defence of that and other towns and harbors in its vicinity.
Massachusetts
At the entrance of the inner Harbor of New Bedford, two miles below the town, a small enclosed work has been erected of stone, brick, and side. It commands the entrance into the harbor for a mile and a half in a direct line, is completed, and has a brick magazine and wooden barracks.
The old work on Gurnet head, near Plymouth, has been repaired, and platforms in front. A barrack and brick magazine have been built.
Boston harbor. In addition to Fort Independence, the following works have been erected for the defence of this harbor.
Fort Warren. On the summit of Governor’s Island an enclosed star fort, of mason work, with a brick barrack and quarters, magazine and guard house, has been completed. Fort Warren battery, on the South point of the same island, is completed of stone, brick, and sod, with a brick guard house and magazine. It is contemplated to erect a block house in the rear of this battery.
Westhead battery is staked out and materials collected. On a point formed by Charles and Mystic rivers, a battery has been built of sod, on a stone foundation.
Salem. The fort and block house, with a magazine under it, on a point at the entrance of this harbor, have been repaired and a new barrack erected.
Marblehead. The fort at this place, with the magazine, barracks, and block house, has been repaired.
Gloucester, Cape Ann. The old fort of stone, in front of this place, with the block house and magazine, has been repaired.
Newburyport. On the point of Plume Island, at the mouth of Merrimack river, a battery of wood, filled in with sand and surmounted with sod, has been erected. It contains a barrack and brick magazine, and was constructed of wood on account of the shifting sands.
New Hampshire.
Portsmouth Harbor. Fort Constitution, on Newcastle point, at the entrance of this harbor, is an enclosed work, built principally of stone masonry. It is now complete with the necessary buildings.
Fort McClary, a new strong work of masonry, has been erected on Kittery point, opposite Fort Constitution. It is now finished with new barracks, magazine, and guard house.
District of Maine.
Portland Harbor. Fort Preble, a new enclosed work of stone and brick masonry, with a brick barrack, quarters, and magazine, is completed. This work is erected on Spring point, and commands the entrance of this harbor, through the main channel.
Fort Scammel, also a new work of similar materials, is erected on House island, opposite fort Preble, and commands the main and other channels. It is now complete with it block house and other buildings.
Fort Sumner battery, to the north of the town, has been repaired.
Kennebeck. At Shaw’s point, on the west side and at the mouth of this river, a battery and brick magazine are completed, with a brick barrack ready for the accommodation of a small garrison.
Sheepscutta. On Davis’s point, on the east side of this river, and about one mile below the town of Wiscasset, a strong battery, brick magazine, and a block house, are ready for immediate use.
Damariscotta. On the southeastern angle of Narrow Island, in this river, and in the town of Boothbay, a battery and brick magazine are completed. A block house is begun, but not finished.
St. George's River. At Robinson’s point, on the east side of this river, a small battery is begun, and materials provided for proceeding with the work as soon as the season will permit.
Pandescott and Baggaduce River. Nothing more has been done on this river, then select a site and procure materials for a battery, which is on Perkin’s point, on the north side of the river, opposite the northwest end of Noodle’s Island.
Machias. A small battery has been erected at this place.
Passamaquoddy. A battery and block house have been erected, and a garrison placed in the works. Cannon have generally been mounted on the works now prepared for their reception, and will be ready for mounting on the others, as soon as they are in sufficient forwardness for the purpose.
Upwards of one hundred traveling carriages have been completed for heavy cannon, and a large proportion of them, with cannon and necessary apparatus, have been distributed in the various seaports.
The following sums have been advanced for the erection and repair of fortifications, and the construction of gun carriages, during the year 1808, viz.;
For New Orleans, $80,373
Georgia, North and South Carolina, $204,289
Virginia and Maryland, $111,432
Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, $5000
New York, $379,133
Connecticut and Rhode Island, $11,000
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, $223,475
$1,014,702
For completing the works already commenced, and for erecting such others as have been contemplated, or may be deemed expedient, it is believed that an additional appropriation, to the amount of four hundred fifty thousand dollars, will be necessary, exclusive of the expense of a line of block chains, &c. across the harbor of New York. The chain and timber for these blocks have been already secured, at an expense of upwards of 40,000 dollars; but, by the latest calculations made by persons considered as competent for the purpose, it appears that, to complete this plan, as here to for proposed, would require an expenditure of one million of dollars.
For a forwarding facility to that part of the contemplated defence of New Orleans, which depends on gun boats, a canal, from the river near the city to Lake Pontchartrain, of sufficient width and depth to admit, at all times, a passage for the gun boats stationed in the river and lake, would be highly important.
And as a company has been formed for the purpose of opening a canal from the lake to the city, by the way of the Bayou St. John, and proceeded far towards its completion, it is believed, from information received from said company, that, with the aid of ___, the canal may be extended, so as to open the communication as proposed above.
It is therefore submitted for consideration, whether an appropriation should be made to enable the President of the United States to affect so important and object.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient servant,
H. Dearborn.
The President of the United States.
Fort Norfolk Documents
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1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809,
1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819
1820,
1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849,
1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859
1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869
1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879
1880,
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