Hudson River Chains

The Hudson River Chain was a blockade across the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey, intended to prevent British naval vessels from entering the river during the American Revolutionary War. It was constructed by stretching a chain across the river between Fort Washington, on Manhattan Island, and the New Jersey Palisades in New Jersey.

Chevaux-de-frise were placed in the channel between Pollopel's Island and the western shore of the river, just above the upper entrance to the Highlands. A chain and boom were stretched across the river from Anthony's Nose to Fort Montgomery, at the lower entrance to the Highlands. In the spring of 1778 the most notable of all these obstructions, a heavy chain supported by huge logs, was stretched across the Hudson from West Point to Constitution Island, opposite. It was constructed at the Stirling Iron Works, in Warwick, Orange County, by Peter Townsend, under the supervision of Timothy Pickering. The task was completed in six weeks.

The links were carted to New Windsor, where, at Captain Machin's forges, they were put together, and the whole floated down the river to West Point on logs late in April. The links weighed from 100 to 150 lb (46 to 68 kg) each. The length of the chain was 1,500 feet (457 m), and its entire weight was 186 tons. The logs that buoyed it were placed transversely with the chain, a few feet apart, and their ends secured by chains and strong timbers. The ends were made secure to the rocks on both shores. Fort Constitution, on Constitution Island, defended one end, and a small battery the other. In winter it was drawn on shore by a windlass, and replaced in the spring. The British never attempted to disturb it; but it was said that Benedict Arnold, when he prepared for the execution of his treason, took measures for weakening the chain — how is not stated.

References

• Hudson River Chain. Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History, Vol. IV, p.447, Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1905.