Fort Greene in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Spanish Memorial Plaque
Fort Greene Park
Who is this monument dedicated to?
This plaque honors the 126 Hispanic soldiers who died in Brooklyn on prison ships during the American Revolution.
Over 11,500 men and women died of overcrowding, contaminated water, starvation, and disease aboard 16 British prison ships in nearby Wallabout Bay. These brave patriots represented all 13 colonies and at least 13 different nationalities.
Spain sent much much-needed weapons, blankets, uniforms, and cash loans to George Washington's army. Thousands of Hispanic soldiers and sailors, born to both Europe and the Americas, gave their lives to help the birth of the new nation. The supporting of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world was an instrumental part of the United States' victory.
This plaque honors the faithful soldiers who gave their lives for the cause and remembers the contribution of Spain to the Independence of the United States.
How was it created?
The restored plaque replaces the original, which was gifted by King Juan Carlos of Spain to Fort Greene Park in 1976 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the United States' independence. The original plaque can be seen in the park's visitor center.
In 2021, Iberrola, The Daughters of the American Revolution, the Government of Spain, and The Queen Sofía Spanish
this page online
Erected by NYC Parks. (Marker Number 301.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the NYC Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.
Location. 40° 41.509′ N, 73° 58.501′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Fort Greene. Marker can be reached from Washington Park just north of Willoughby Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Washington Park, Brooklyn NY 11205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Prison Ship Martyrs Monument (here, next to this marker); On the Occasion of the Bicentennial of the United States of America (a few steps from this marker); Delafield Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Ginkgo (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Prison Ship Martyrs Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Greene Park
Also see . . . Lost and Found: The Cycles of Loss and Recovery of Brooklyn’s Prison Ship Martys Monument and the Me. Describes marker to the memory of Spanish prison ship martyrs dedicated by Spain's King Juan Carlos I in 1976. The marker was removed to Ft.Greene Visitor Center after decades of exposure to the elements and apparent vandalism and was replaced with a new marker in 2021. Photographs of both markers are included in the article.
Excerpt: "King Juan Carlos I arrived in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Park on Saturday June 5, 1976 to great fanfare. Juan Carlos I’s ancestor, King Carlos III, had helped the colonists achieved their independence nearly two centuries previously with his supply of money, matériel, and men. Many of those Spaniards made the ultimate sacrifice; well over one hundred of them alone perished in British prison ships moored off Brooklyn Wallabout Bay during the war."(Submitted on March 13, 2024, by Lou Claudio of Safety Harbor, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 58 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the original plaque inside the visitor center (likely qualifies for its own profile). • Clear, daylight photos of the marker and its context. • Can you help?
