Fort Greene Park Marker

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Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Greene Park

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

1. Fort Greene Park Marker

Inscription.
The Prison Ship Martyrs Monument memorializes thousands of American soldiers, sailors, and civilians who died aboard British prison ships moored in Wallabout Bay (East River) from 1776 - 1783.
Revolutionary War Heritage Trail

Erected by State of New York.

Location. 40° 41.532′ N, 73° 58.491′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. Marker can be reached from Washington Park when traveling south. Click for map. Marker is in Fort Greene Park, just outside the museum and visitor's center. Marker is in this post office area: Brooklyn NY 11205, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Prison Ship Martyrs Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Greene Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clinton Hill Historic District (approx. ¾ mile away); Brooklyn Borough Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Where the Dodgers Made Baseball History and Jackie Robinson Changed America (approx. 0.8 miles away); Ponkiesberg Fortification (approx. 0.9 miles away); Brooklyn Heights Historic District (approx. one mile away); Church of the Saviour (approx. one mile away). Click for a list of all markers in Brooklyn.

More about this marker.

Marker in Fort Greene Park Photo, Click for full size

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

2. Marker in Fort Greene Park

The Marker features a map of New York State with Revolutionary War Heritage Trail Sites indicated. It has a caption of “The Revolutionary War Heritage Trail links historic sites that tell the story of New York’s decisive role in America’s fight for independence.”

Also see . . .
1. Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. (Submitted on November 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)

2. The Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. Fort Greene Park Conservancy. (Submitted on November 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)

Fort Greene Park Museum & Visitors Center Photo, Click for full size

By R. C., December 6, 2008

3. Fort Greene Park Museum & Visitors Center

Marker is to the left of the entrance in this view.

1776 - Prison Ship Martyrs Monument - 1908 Photo, Click for full size

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

4. 1776 - Prison Ship Martyrs Monument - 1908

The British took many prisoners of war during the Battle of Brooklyn. As they ran out of space to house the prisoners, they used decommissioned or damaged ships that were anchored nearby as floating prisons.

Prison Ship Martyrs Monument Photo, Click for full size

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

5. Prison Ship Martyrs Monument

After the Revolutionary War, the bones of patriots who died on the prison ships would occasionally wash up in Brooklyn and Long Island. These were ultimately re-interred in the crypt which today is the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. It was constructed on land which, during the war, was part of Fort Putman.

Alternate view of the tower and the urn at its top. Photo, Click for full size

By R. C., December 6, 2008

6. Alternate view of the tower and the urn at its top.

Fort Greene Park Missing Cannon Photo, Click for full size

By R. C.

7. Fort Greene Park Missing Cannon

There appears to have been an object mounted to this platform. It could possibly have been a naval cannon. Its fate is unkown.

Entrance to the crypt where the remains reside. Photo, Click for full size

By R. C.

8. Entrance to the crypt where the remains reside.

Fort Greene Park Museum Photo, Click for full size

By R. C.

9. Fort Greene Park Museum

Inside the museum near the monument you can discover the history of the event, the monument, and the park.

Credits. This page originally submitted on November 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,339 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on November 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. 2. submitted on November 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. 3. submitted on December 31, 2008, by R. C. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. 4, 5. submitted on November 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on December 31, 2008, by R. C. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey.