Fort Wadsworth

Fort Wadsworth

Fort Wadsworth is located in Staten Island and is deemed one of the oldest military forts in the history of the United States. Fort Wadsworth does not receive nearly enough recognition of as other forts simply because no actual battles have been fought there. However, it has rich history that dates all the way back to Dutch times. It is important to begin the discussion of Fort Wadsworth by mentioning its earliest roots with the Dutch. Because it was originally built and owned by the Dutch in the 1600s, there is not much research to be shown from that long ago. Most of the research comes from when it was later fortified by the British in 1779 and then eventually closed down in 1994[1].  According to the National Park Service, it is one of the oldest military installations in the nation and it occupies 226 acres on the northeastern shore of Staten Island, directly adjacent to the Verrazano Bridge which leads into Brooklyn[2]. Upon visitation to Fort Wadsworth there are various trails to take that can lead to different sectors of the fort. Each sector holds its own very special part of history and even holds various weapons such as cannons and different types of guns. These items were once used at some point in history, however, now they are open to the public. In fact, tours are offered every day to bring you to the 9 biggest points in Fort Wadsworth: Training Mortar, fort Tompkins, battery Duane, six pounder, south cliff battery, battery weed, torpedo shed/wharf, north cliff battery, and mount sec house[3]. These locations are points of interest for those visiting Fort Wadsworth. Each stop has their own unique history and has artifacts that was used at that part of the fort. For example, at Battery Duane located within Fort Wadsworth, there is one of the first counter-weighted “disappearing” gun batters in the United States. Once the gun is fired, it is lowered so it is not as visible to the enemy. This was constructed in 1896 and is still located within Fort Wadsworth.[4] Similar to battery Duane, other points that are in the tour of Fort Wadsworth hold old weapons, whereas other points, such as the Mount Sec House, were used to house soldiers or servants.[5] All of these points are open to the public and serve as good resources for anyone who is interested in learning more about Fort Wadsworth.

Fort Wadsworth is the oldest military location in the country. Existing research about Fort Wadsworth states that in the 17th century, guns were mounted in the place of where Fort Wadsworth is right now[6]. This was the earliest origins of the fort. It is believed that Fort Wadsworth was originally built with the intent of keeping our enemies from the new colonizers, the Indians to be specific. The Indians at the time were still living within the same area as the Dutch colonizers, which made tensions escalate rather quickly[7]. The Indians were known to have issues with the colonizers because they did not want to be pushed off their land. With this being said, according to A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor, the native Indians proved to be one of the biggest obstacles for those living in Staten Island in its earliest years. In fact, there were three separate attempts to establish a fort where present day Fort Wadsworth is, which were all destroyed and attacked by the Indians. After the first attack, they decided they were going to build another fort which the authorities of New Amsterdam wrote saying “whereas a short time ago, some of our people on Staten Island have been murdered by the Savages. Therefore, to prevent further mishaps and to protect the people still living there, we have judged it very advisable and proper to erect upon the said Island a small redoubt at so small an expense as possible”[8]. However, once again because of the Indians, they were not able to build the fort without it being attacked[9]. As more Dutch colonists attempted to establish themselves in Staten Island, the Indians began to fight back. As the attacks became more frequent, many people chose to leave Staten Island and head to present day Manhattan[10]. Despite many people leaving, some people chose to stay. However, the governor Peter Stuyvesant said that the resident number was “too small to justify even a minute force”[11]. Finally, by the 1660s a fourth attempt to establish a fort was successful about one mile south of present day fort Wadsworth. In the beginning Governor Stuyvesant was not happy because he did not want to build a fort to protect an Island where barely anyone was living. However, in April of 1663 Governor Stuyvesant received a letter from the directors of the West India Company which stated, “For the sake of greater safety, we consider it highly necessary and have recommended in the enclosure, that proper attention be paid to the safety and protection of the mouths of the rivers on Long Island and Staten Island”[12]. From this moment on, the Fort began to be built in order to not only protect the people living on Staten Island from internal enemies, such as the Indians, but also protect them from external enemies, the British. The fort would not be named Fort Wadsworth for another almost 200 years. This fort ended up being one of the main army bases during the British attacks that would happen fairly soon. Soon after this, the English would invade and Stuyvesant would surrender in 1664.

Following the British takeover, not much happened with Fort Wadsworth for another 100 years. According to the national park service, Fort Wadsworth was fortified by the British in 1779 and it was a prime location for the British in the Revolutionary War[13]. In fact, British used the fort as a staging area and they would use both Staten Island and Long Island to set up ships in an effort to attack New York.  As we know, eventually the British surrendered, granting the colonies their freedom. Fort Wadsworth was then handed back to America to be used as they please. Fast forward another 33 years to the war of 1812, and for a reason that is still unknown to historians today, Fort Wadsworth was never attacked. The British chose to leave Fort Wadsworth alone and chose to attack and burn Washington as opposed to New York[14]. During this war, Fort Wadsworth as mainly used to house men as they were preparing for battle. At this point in time, Fort Wadsworth was capable of holding over 750 men. However, only about 558 were recorded to have stayed there during the war of 1812[15]. It is important to note that not one battle was fought at the grounds of Fort Wadsworth. Instead, during this time it was used to house the men, watch the harbor for British ships, and to hold artillery and weapons. Whether this was intentional or not is unknown to historians. However, this fact sets Fort Wadsworth apart from all the other forts. To end the discussion of the 19th century, it is imperative to talk about the role Fort Wadsworth played during the Civil War. Many soldiers were housed at Fort Wadsworth. In fact, by 1863, the post’s numbers rose to 1400 men and reached its highest number of soldiers, 1,921 by the following February[16]. It was at this point that Fort Wadsworth was given its name. In fact, according to the national park service website “In 1865, the name Fort Wadsworth was given to honor Brevet Major General James Wadsworth, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness during the Civil war”[17]. The fort was officially purchased by the government in 1847[18]. Similar to the war of 1812, no battles were fought at Fort Wadsworth.

Fort Wadsworth would see an unprecedented amount of change in the 20th century. Although this would be around the time it is closed as an active fort, it would live to see a great amount of transformation. For starters, Fort Wadsworth experienced two world wars in the first half of the 1900s. Not much happened with Fort Wadsworth during World War 1. However, according to the national park service website, shortly after World War 1, Fort Wadsworth became an infantry post[19]. It was during World War Two that Fort Wadsworth played quite an interesting role. For starters, the coast soldiers continued to man the seacoast defenses and oversee the New York harbor all throughout World War Two[20]. In order to understand the role Fort Wadsworth played during World War Two, it is important to provide a brief history of World War Two itself. The United States was engrossed in the middle of a world war. The United States and Italy were on two opposing sides. During the last three years of the war, 375,000 Germans and Italian prisoners came to the United States from the battlefields of Africa and Europe.[21] They were processed at entry ports once they arrived in the country and were immediately escorted to camps throughout the nation wherever their labor was needed. They were used for mainly war time needs. However, in 1943, it had been decided that everyone who was considered an Italian prisoner of war, would fight for the side of the allies[22]. This would mean the Italian prisoners of war were helping fight for the United States of America. However, many people had problems with this. Numerous soldiers were placed at Fort Wadsworth. The United States Army created Italian Service Unites (ISU) to organize this new help. Members of the ISU were paid about $8 per month, they were allowed visitors from relatives, lenient mail regulation and the opportunity to leave the base so long as they were escorted by an American military escort[23].

Members of the ISU were used United States army uniforms. Italy was stitched in white letters on the left sleeve. The hat also had a green and red cloth patch on it with “Italy” written in white letters on it in order to represent the Italian flag. Fort Wadsworth was soon named the headquarters of the ISU and appointed Brigadier General John M. Eager as chief administrator. The General worked in the embassy in Rome and spoke fluent Italian and was able to communicate with the prisoners. This proved to be extremely helpful when tensions rose among the American soldiers and the prisoners. Both the Americans living outside the Fort Wadsworth area and the soldiers living within Fort Wadsworth expressed serious concerns with the Italians. They were not ready to trust the fact that they were working with them as allies. There were high tensions and often times there were numerous fights that erupted between the two. Italian Americans who were living outside the area, showed kindness and often invited them outside with them in order to help them in forming relationships with the Americans. By 1944 tensions had flared down and the Italian soldiers were beginning to form relationships with the churches and the people directly outside the Fort Wadsworth area. The article that spoke about the Italian Prisoners within Fort Wadsworth, The Reflections on Italian Prisoners of War: Fort Wadsworth 1943-1946, ended with a beautiful quote describing one of the most valuable things that happened at this fort “Yet despite the tensions and frustrations of the war years, many friendships formed at Fort Wadsworth continued years after the war had ended”[24].

After World War Two had ended, there was not much going on at Fort Wadsworth. In fact, the next major thing that would happen at Fort Wadsworth would be its closing. It was used for minor things such as overseeing Nike missile firing batteries and schooling. However, in 1994 the Navy turned over Fort Wadsworth to the National Park Service’s Gateway Recreation Area[25]. Although there were several rumors of its closing in previous years, once it was actually released that it would no longer be used as an active fort, the public responded in a way that was unexpected. There were protests and groups were even formed in an effort to save Fort Wadsworth. People were absolutely devastated that Fort Wadsworth was closing as an active fort. In fact, as soon as rumors circulated about the closing of Fort Wadsworth, a newspaper article was released in 1972 with the title “Longest-Run Fort, Wadsworth, is Closing!”. The article states “Meanwhile two Save Fort Wadsworth committees are protesting the army’s proposed deactivation of the fort, which has served under three flags- Dutch, English and the American”[26]. The newspaper quoted Col. Richard a. Chidlaw as to why the Fort was closing. He said, “a reduction in military strength in association with our withdrawals in Vietnam”. The article went on to interview other people in the Staten Island area, on their feelings about the closing: “Besides breaking the fort’s link with the past, Mr. Amodeo says, the closing will inconvenience more than 1,700 military men from Staten Island and New Jersey who used the ports facilities”. By the 1990s, another article was released talking about the plans to turn the fort into a park.[27] The article stated something that truly resonates and is important to remember when looking back at the history of Fort Wadsworth, “The 300-year old fort, which never fired a shot in anger, will become the newest national parks….’The question we always get is, what famous battles were fought here?’ says Roger Scott, a National Park Service public affairs specialist. ‘And the best answer we can give is, well the fort did its job so well that no one bothered to attack’”[28]

Fort Wadsworth, rich in history, is one of the most special places in New York. It has served under three flags, five wars, and has seen New York not only develop as a city but as a microcosm to change and development in the United States of America. It served as a microcosm because as the United States of America changed, so did Fort Wadsworth. Despite the numerous challenges and oppositions faced such as wars and enemy invasions, it remained standing tall ready for anything that was going to happen. This is pretty significant and symbolic because this too, is how the United States of America came to be. As previously stated, what made Fort Wadsworth so unique was its ability to maintain peace in times of war. The fact that a battle was never fought at this fort, yet it was revered as one of the greatest forts, goes to show just how special Fort Wadsworth is. It represented durability, strength and hope in the face of some of the darkest times of history in the United States of America.

 

[1] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/historyculture/ftwad.htm, accessed November 8, 2017

[2] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/historyculture/ftwad.htm, accessed November 8, 2017

[3][3] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/upload/fowawalkingtourupdated3july2012-small.pdf

accessed November 8, 2017

 

[4] [4] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/upload/fowawalkingtourupdated3july2012-small.pdf

accessed November 8, 2017

[5] [5] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/upload/fowawalkingtourupdated3july2012-small.pdf

accessed November 8, 2017

[6] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[7] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[8] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[9] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[10] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[11] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[12] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[13] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/upload/fowawalkingtourupdated3july2012-small.pdf

accessed November 8, 2017

[14] John Hanc, “Open Secrets: The Hidden Pleasures of our Parks: Fort Wadsworth, (2003)

[15] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[16] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[17] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/upload/fowawalkingtourupdated3july2012-small.pdf

accessed November 8, 2017

[18] Frederick R. Black, “Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor”, (1983)

[19] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/upload/fowawalkingtourupdated3july2012-small.pdf

accessed November 8, 2017

[20] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/historyculture/ftwad.htm, accessed November 8, 2017

[21] Janet E. Worrall, “Reflections on Italian Prisoners of War: Fort Wadsworth, 1943-46”, (1922)

[22] Janet E. Worrall, “Reflections on Italian Prisoners of War: Fort Wadsworth, 1943-46”, (1922)

[23] Janet E. Worrall, “Reflections on Italian Prisoners of War: Fort Wadsworth, 1943-46”, (1922)

[24] Janet E. Worrall, “Reflections on Italian Prisoners of War: Fort Wadsworth, 1943-46”, (1922)

[25] Seton Hall University, Department of History, Academic Integrity Policy, https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/historyculture/ftwad.htm, accessed November 8, 2017

[26] Julie Ibbotson, “Longest-Run Fort Wadsworth Is Closing, (1972).

[27] Joe Matthews, “Battless fort to see action as park Survivor: A 300-year-old Staten Island fort that was never attacked and whose defenses were called ‘useless’ is opening as national park in May”, 1997.

[28] Joe Matthews, “Battless fort to see action as park Survivor: A 300-year-old Staten Island fort that was never attacked and whose defenses were called ‘useless’ is opening as national park in May”, 1997.

Works Cited

Black , Frederick. “A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York Harbor .” 10 Nov. 2017.

“Detailed History of Fort Wadsworth.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 26 Feb. 2015, www.nps.gov/gate/learn/historyculture/ftwad.htm.

Hanc, John. Open Secrets: The Hidden Pleasures of Our Parks: Fort Wadsworth . 7 Aug. 2003, https://search.proquest.com/docview/279728492?accountid=13793.

Ibbotson, Julie. “Longest-Run Fort, Wadsworth Is Closing.” New York Times, 19 Mar. 1972.ProQuest Historical Newspapers [ProQuest], search-proquest-com.ezproxy.shu.edu/hnpnewyorktimes/docview/119481958/9F5A4DD7EFA44149PQ/6?accountid=13793.

Matthews, Joe. Battless Fort to See Action As Park Survivor: A 300 Old Staten Island Fort That Was Never Attacked and Whose Defenses Were Called ‘Useless’ Is Opening as National Park. 18 Mar. 1997.

Worrall, Janet E. “Reflections on Italian Prisoners of War: Fort Wadsworth 1943-46.” Italian Americana , vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 147–155. EBSCO.

Photo Credit: Scott Beale/ Laughing Squid, http://laughingsquid.com

Pictures of Fort Wadsworth:

photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid
This picture shows the blockhouse that was built by the Dutch at Ford Wadsworth. It sits adjacent to the Verrazano Bridge.
photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid
This picture is taken from above the blockhouse.

This picture is taken from the Verrazano bridge looking down at the Blockhouse. The various paths to the other sections of the fort are shown in this picture.