Harbor Islands- Long Island in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Defense System

Fort Warren-Georges Island

— Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area —

Defense System Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010

1. Defense System Marker

Inscription. From this vantage point it is possible to see the principal elements of Ft. Warren’s defense system. These are based on the 17th century, military theories developed by Louis XIV’s chief engineer, Sebastien de Vauban, and were modified to meet 19th century requirement. In theory, and attacking ship would be pounded by heavy fire from the ramparts. The fort’s earthen coverface and escarpments would absorb enemy fire from the channel. Any landing party would be raked by fire from outworks such as the coverface. If the enemy reached the moat they would be caught in a crossfire between cannon mounted in the flak walls of the bastions and rifle fire from the curtain wall.

(Inscription above the title) Cross-section of Ft. Warren’s Civil War defense system

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil.

Location. 42° 19.242′ N, 70° 55.746′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is on Harbor Islands- Long Island. Marker is on Georges Island. Marker is only accessible by boat. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hull MA 02045, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Escape! (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Warren (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate POWs

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Coastal Mines (about 400 feet away); Powder Magazine (about 500 feet away); Parade Ground (about 500 feet away); Bakery (about 600 feet away); Political Prisoners (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010

2. Defense System Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010

3. Defense System Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010

4. Defense System Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 3, 2010

5. Defense System Marker

Welcome to Fort Warren-It was built more than 150 years ago-a fort on an island, a key to the coastal defense of a new nation. It was transformed into a prison during the Civil War, housing hundreds of Confederates within its granite walls, ordinary soldiers and high level politicians alike. It served our nation for more than 85 year as a vigilant sentinel in the harbor. It made over into a park is an extraordinary island setting. Welcome to Fort Warren, on Georges Island. Welcome to the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 27, 2010

6. Defense System Marker

National Park Passport Cancellation Stamp

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 557 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.