Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Caponier
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
1. The Caponier Marker
Fort Hamilton, with its heavy guns, defended New York City against ships. This structure defended Fort Hamilton against land attack. The caponier was a flank battery designed to sweep the back of the main fort with cannon fire and to protect the gate immediately behind you. Such a battery used canister - containers of small iron balls – which made the cannon into gigantic shotguns. Enemy infantry or marines attempting to take Fort Hamilton from the rear would have had to charge through devastating fire.
Though most forts had some sort of flank defense, caponiers are rare in U.S. military architecture. This one is probably the nation’s earliest example, as well as its best surviving specimen. Finished by 1829, Fort Hamilton’s caponier became militarily obsolete before the end of the nineteenth century and served most of its first 150 years as a storehouse.
On 11 June 1980, New York Area Command dedicated this part of the original fort as the Harbor Defense Museum of New York City.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical date for this entry is June 11, 1980.
Location. 40° 36.534′ N, 74° 1.929′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Fort Hamilton. Marker is on Sheridan Loop, on the left when traveling south.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Hamilton Officers’ Club (within shouting distance of this marker); June 1975 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker); Projectiles for U.S. 20-inch Rodman Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Long Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish 24-Pounder (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); On July 4, 1776 (about 300 feet away); 13-inch Seacoast Mortar, Pattern 1861 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.
Also see . . . "The Bona Fide Museum Right Here In Bay Ridge". Bay Ridge website entry (Submitted on January 29, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
2. Marker on the Caponier
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
3. Harbor Defense Museum at Fort Hamilton
U.S. Army Center of Military History website entry:
The Caponier at Fort Hamilton now serves as the Harbor Defense Museum. The marker is located between the two doorways.
Click for more information.
The Caponier at Fort Hamilton now serves as the Harbor Defense Museum. The marker is located between the two doorways.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
4. Marker at Fort Hamilton
The entrance to the Caponier (left) and the original gate to Fort Hamilton (right) can be seen in this photo.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
5. Inside the Caponier
The Harbor Defense Museum contains exhibits spanning the periods from the Revolution through World War II.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
6. Soldier Defending the Caponier
This display shows one way that soldiers would protect Fort Hamilton from a land attack.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
7. Fort Hamilton
Marker is located on the grounds of Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, NY.
via Hey Ridge, unknown
8. The caponier, home of the Coast Defense Museum
The plaque is visible near the "OPEN" sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,078 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8. submitted on January 29, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
