Fort Norfolk History - 1848 Request
J. Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy then wrote to Honorable William L. Marcy, Secretary of War on July 25, 1848 to request the transfer of Fort Norfolk.
William L. Marcy, Secretary of War replied to J. Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy on August 4, 1848:”The enclosed report of the Colonel of Engineers suggests that an arrangement could be made for the accommodation of the Navy Department without a final transfer of the property, and the objections mentioned as to the final transfer would be thus avoided.”
Colonel Jos. G. Totten report of July 28, 1848 stated; “I have to report on this matter, that the fort named above was formally with Fort Nelson once opposite, but now no longer existing - the main reliance for the defence, by fortifications, of Norfolk and the Navy Yard. This line of defence has of late years been deemed wholly inadequate in point of strength and efficiency - as being too near for a principal line to the objects designed to be covered - and as relinquishing all control over the entrance to Hampton Roads and James River. A first line of defence has accordingly been commenced, and partially completed, at the entrance to Hampton Roads, namely across from Old Point Comfort to the Rip-Raps, and thence to the shore of Willoughby's Point.
But, when objects of importance are to be covered, it is deemed of material advantage to have a second line of defence. And altho’, in the present case, a second line - if now to be provided denovo, might assume other forms, magnitude, and perhaps even, positions - still, as Fort Norfolk exist, might be put into an efficient condition in a short time, is a work of a certain capacity, and strength, and occupies a commanding position - prudence demands, in my opinion, that it should be retained as a second line, and not injured in anyway. Especially is this demaned so long as the first line of defence is incomplete; and it is known to all that as yet the superstructure of Fort Calhoun on the Rip-Raps is scarcely begun, and that nothing has been undertaken at Willoughby's Point.
Fort Norfolk, at a small expense, and in a short time, could be made to direct upon the channel a fire of from 25 to 30 guns of the heaviest caliber.
It is thought, however, that the object of the Navy Department may be obtained without doing injury to the fort; or interfering with its restoration, at any time, to a state of efficiency as a strong water battery.
There appears to be room on the parade of the fort for the erection of one or more capacious buildings. Leaving a space of not less than 30 feet width in front of each of the quarters or barracks, that is to say along each of three sides of the parade; and a space of not less than 20 feet wide of the foot of the Rampart, on the other side - all the remaining space on the parade might, be appropriated as the site of one or more magazines. As this fort, even when put in order as part of a second line, is not likely to be occupied at all by troops during a period of peace; and in time of war only by a small garrison, the ordinary objection to a restricted parade space would be much lessened, and need not be urged.
I think the old quarters and barracks should not be destroyed, because I believe them to be susceptible of repairs. The Navy Department might perhaps find it advantageous to repair them to some extent, in order to get accommodation for the persons they will desire to keep their in charge of the magazine.
Under conditions such as are mentioned above the fort might, I think, be transferred to the use of the Navy, with the understanding however that whenever in the opinion of the War Department it shall be proper to enter upon the repairs of the fort in reference to defence the fort shall be re-transferred to that Department for every purpose connected with its control, equipment and service - the Navy department retaining only the use of the magazines they shall have erected within the same.”
On August 11, 1848, J. Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy responded to William L. Marcy, Secretary of War; ”When the application was made, it was not known, that the Old Fort would be wanted in the defences of that part of the country. Finding that such is the fact, the application is withdrawn.”
Also on August 11, 1848 Joseph Smith, Chief of Bureau of Yards & Docks Commander J. D. Sloat; to inform him that the Navy withdrew the application for Fort Norfolk and told him, “you will therefore please furnish and and Estimate of such temporary improvements as are necessary to make the present Magazine accessible by boat, at high water. It is contemplated to build a shell house at St Helena, and you will please consider as to the best location for such a building.”
Commandant John D Sloat replied;”I have reason to believe that if the Secretary would press the subject, Fort Norfolk could be obtained for our use; In the event of its been necessary at any future time to occupy that site for defensive purposes , it could be returned & the Magazine being there, would be no objections; but it is more than probable it will not be wanted for many years, if ever.
Our present Magazine was built for temporary purposes, and a more inconvenient site could no be found in this neighborhood; to make it accessible at low water would require a wharf of over 300 yards, and the whole establishment is altogether so inconvenient and inadequate for the purposes of this command that I am of opinion that all the money spent there is just so much thrown away.
In my opinion there is no situation at “St. Helena” suitable for a Shell House, if for filled shells, it would be entirely too near the yard, if for empty shells, it would be very inconvenient. To save labor & risk the Shell House should be in the immediate vicinity of the Magazine.
I have not yet had time to visit and examine the Magazine since the receipt of your letter of the 11th inst, but shall do so as soon as possible. It is, as you aware, very much exposes, the person, who is normally the keeper has been confined to his bed for the last eight or none months, and lives at a considerable distance, consequently the boys have access to the premises and are constantly shooting about the grounds, & frequently make fires in the immediate vicinity; for these and many other reasons I hope another site may be selected and the establishment be put on a safe & convent footing.”
Commander Joseph Smith replied; “The Magazine must answer for the present, and if it be accessible at half tide, the wharf need not be extended to low water line.
St Helena is considered the best site for a Shell House at our disposal, and not more exposed than other places adjacent; nor is the danger to the property in the Yard, in the event of an explosion, believed to be of serious moment.”
More History
Back, 1673, 1775, 1787, 1789, Army before 1793, 1793, 1794, More 1794, First Fort, 1795, 1796-1800, 1801-1806, 1807, 1808-1811, 1812, 1813, 1813-1814, 1816, 1817-1818, 1820-1821, 1824, 1835, 1840, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1848 Request, 1849, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1854 Keeper's House, 1854 Changes, 1858, 1859, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1875, 1884, 1893, 1903, 1923, Next
Source of Information
John Haviland, "Plan of the U. S. Hospital Grounds & Buildings", National Archives, College Park, MD - Cartographic (RDSC), Record Group 71: Records of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, 1784 - 1963, Series: Bureau of Yards and Docks Plans of Navy Facilities, 1815 - 1966, 551-2-19.
V F Johnston, "V F Johnston to Joseph Smith", January 21, 1848, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, Nov 3 1846 - Sept 15 1848, Box No. 154, Entry 5.
Joseph Smith, "Joseph Smith to L. Kearney ", January 22, 1848, National Archives, Record Group 71 Records of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Records of the Office of the Chief of Bureau, 1820 - 1946, Letters Sent 1842 - 95, Vol. 04 of 104, PI-10, E. 1, 50.
V F Johnston, "V F Johnston to Joseph Smith", January 26, 1848, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, Nov 3 1846 - Sept 15 1848, Box No. 154, Entry 5.
John D Sloat, "John D Sloat to Joseph Smith", May 17, 1848, National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks, Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk, Nov 3 1846 - Sept 15 1848, Box No. 154, Entry 5.
Joseph Smith, "Joseph Smith to J. Y. Mason ", July 20, 1848, National Archives, Record Group 77 (Office, Chief of Engineers),Land Papers, Virginia (Craney Island, Mill Creek Bridge, Ferry Point, Ft. Norfolk, Yorktown Monument, Arlingtron Estate, Willoughby Spit); Washington (General), Box No. 61, NM-19, Entry 171.