Hudson River Chains

Hudson River Chain. The obstruction of the Hudson River, to prevent British vessels passing up during the Revolutionary War, and thus defeat the ministerial project for dividing the Union, occupied much of the attention of the patriots. First there were vessels sunk, and a sort of chevaux-de-frise constructed in the channel between Fort Washington, on Manhattan Island, and the Palisades.

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 co. 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 lbs. each. The length of the chain was 1,500 feet, 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 the Benedict Arnold, when he prepared for the consummation of his treason, took measures for weakening the chain — how is not stated.