Pennsville in Salem County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Moat and the Parados

Fort Mott State Park

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 6, 2015

1. The Moat and the Parados Marker

Inscription. The parados (Spanish for rear door) is the earthen hill adjacent to the gun battery. It serve as a shield against gunfire from the rear. Construction of the moat and parados at Fort Mott began in 1897 and took over two years to complete.

The earth used to build the parados came from digging the moat; 44,500 cubic yards of earth, over 200,000 tons, was moved with grapples, wheelbarrows, and shovels. The work was grueling. Each man was expected to move nearly five tons of earth daily for a wage of $1.25.

Once completed, the parados was 20 feet wide at the top and extended the entire 750-foot length of the main fortification wall.

(Inscription under the image at the top left)
The moat was constructed by hand using shovels and wheelbarrows. Mules were used to help move soil and shape the parados.

(Inscription under the image at the top right)
The parados originally reflected the “mirror image” of the moat. This feature provided a substantial obstacle to help thwart the advance of an enemy force attempting to capture the main gate line, as well as protect the gun crews from enemy artillery fire.

Topics. This

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memorial is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Spanish-American.

Location. 39° 36.259′ N, 75° 33.032′ W. Memorial is in Pennsville, New Jersey, in Salem County. It is on Fort Mott Road. The marker is located on the grounds of Fort Mott State Park. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Pennsville NJ 08070, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Wilmington, in South Jersey,

and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Observation Towers (a few steps from this marker); Battery Harker (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battery Gregg (about 300 feet away); Welcome (to Fort Mott) (about 400 feet away); The Wharf

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 6, 2015

2. The Moat and the Parados Marker

(about 500 feet away); Two Batteries in one (about 600 feet away); The Latrines (about 600 feet away); Pea Patch Island (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pennsville.

Welcome sign to Fort Mott image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 6, 2015

3. Welcome sign to Fort Mott

Sign at the entrance to the Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 6, 2015

4. Sign at the entrance to the Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 440 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.