The Great Chain

 

 

 

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                              Head-Quarters, New York, 21st July, 1776.

     Sir--You are without delay to proceed to Fort Montgomery, or Constitution, in the Highlands, on Hudson's River, and put yourself under the command of Col. George Clinton, or the commanding officer there,--to act as Engineer in compleating such works as are already laid out,--and such others as you, with the advice of Col. Clinton, may think necessary: 'Tis expected and required of you, that you pay close attention to this business, and drive on the works with all possible dispatch. In case of attack by the enemy, or in any action with them, you are to join and act with the Artillery on that station; and to return to your duty in the regiment as soon as you can be spared from the works.
                               I am, sir, your most humble serv't.
                                               GO. WASHINGTON

     George Washington's order was addressed to Captain Thomas Machin, an engineer in the Continental Army. Captain Machin had distinguished himself at the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he laid out the fortification lines and was wounded in the arm during the battle. He was a member of the Sons of Liberty and he participated at the Boston Tea Party.
     In 1778, Captain Machin designed and installed the Great Chain which was floated across the Hudson River from West Point to Constitution Island. The chain was manufactured in six weeks at Sterling Iron Works in Warwick, New York. When all of the links were assembled, the chain measured 600 yards across and weighed over 65 tons.
     Rafts were built of 12 foot waterproof timbers. Each raft held ten links, a swivel and a clevis. The rafts were attached to each other with 4 waterproof logs 16 feet in length. When these rafts were floated into position on the river, the chain links were joined. The south end of the chain was anchored at a cove on the West Point of the river, and the north end of the chain was anchored at Constitution Island. Both ends of the chain were anchored in heavy log cribs filled with large rocks on shore.
     A separate log boom was built and installed about one hundred yards downstream from the chain. This was an additional barrier to slow or halt British ships, which would then be targets for shore batteries located on both sides of the river.
     The chain remained in place from 1778 to 1783. To avoid winter ice damage to the rafts, the chain was removed each winter and put back in the river each spring. No British ship ever passed or attempted to pass it.

References:
1) West Point Fortifications
2) Wikipedia--Hudson River Chain
3) History of Schoharie County, Thomas Machin
4) AG Corps Print--Washington's Watch Chain
5) Chain and Boom History