Nomination for Fort Phoenix

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 (July 1969) PH0006009 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HB No utm NAME COMMON: Fort Phoenix AND/ OR HISTORIC: 10) RECEIVED LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: Fort Phoenix Park CITY OR TOWN: Fairhaven Congressional District# 12 STATE 3.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: Bristol FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER NOV 9 1972 DATE CODE COUNTY: 025 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District - Building Site Structure Bristol CODE 005 OWNERSHIP STATUS Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: - In Process Being Considered Occupied X Unoccupied - Preservation work in progress ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific Transportation X] Other (Specify) Recreational - Comments OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: Town of Fairhaven STREET AND NUMBER: CITY OR TOWN: Fairhaven LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Bristol County Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 Massachusetts CITY OR TOWN: STATE CODE Bristol Taunton Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY:1.

Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth, 1971. Comprehensive Statewide Preservation Plan, 1970. DATE OF SURVEY: (1) 1971 (2) 1970 - Federal DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission, Office of the Secretary STREET AND NUMBER: State House CITY OR TOWN: STATE: Boston Massachusetts 025 NOV 1972 CODE 025 STATE: COUNTY: ENTRY NUMBER DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY A. DESCRIPTION (Check One) Deteriorated HECCONDITION Excellent - Good - Fair (Check One) MAK 17 1972 x Altered - Unaltered Ruins - Unexposed (Check One) Moved [x Original Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

NATION Fort Phoenix is located in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, at the mouth of New RE Bedford Harbor. Situated on a promontory at the northwestern end of Sconticut Neck, sixty feet above eventide, the Fort and the beaches along the cove of the Neck make up Fort Phoenix Park which is a recreational area for local residents. The Fort is at the northern end of the park and ensconced among the smooth shore boulders which characterize the promontory. Seventy yards south of Fort Phoenix is a small parking lot for visitors; east and north of the Fort is a causeway and jetty which extends across the harbor and west of the Fort is the harbor. The original construction of Fort Phoenix began in 1775 after the Battle of Concord and Lexington.

Major General Grey, in his account to Sir Henry Clinton of his raid on the harbor area described the Fort as enclosed with eleven pieces of cannon, a barracks and magazine. The local militia immediately rebuilt the Fort after Grey's attack and, since "it rose from ashes," it was named Fort Phoenix. Unfortunately, no description of the rebuilt Fort can be found. After 1794 when the Federal Government took over the task of sea coast defense, Fort Phoenix received no attention. However, local interest and Town ownership since 1922 has main- tained the structure so that today it is in an excellent state of preservation. The Fort is horse-shoe shaped; its east wall missing. The shape and dimensions of the Fort are irregular following the contours of the promontory on which it is built. This is particularly true of the exterior dimensions.

The design of the Fort is simple, consisting of an outer and an inner wall, between which sod and earth fill forms a parapet. The interior of the Fort is essentially square in shape with the west wall at a slightly oblique angle. At the northeast end of the Fort, the exterior wall forms an enclosed square, earth filled. This may have been a magazine or bomb-proof. The exterior walls of the Fort are constructed of bricks with a cement covering (added in 1950 to keep the bricks from being stolen). The walls are topped with a single row of tapered granite slabs. The height of the exterior walls varies with the contours of the rocks from six feet to fourteen feet. The distance between the exterior and interior walls also varies from five to fourteen feet. The south wall is 32 feet long and joins the west wall at a slightly oblique angle.

The west wall is 50 feet in length to the beginning of the northwest corner where it curves to meet the north wall. The north wall continues for 32 feet until it turns to form the enclosed earth-filled square mentioned above. The interior walls are four feet high and constructed of smooth granite blocks. The south wall, 36 feet long, joins the west wall at an oblique angle. The sixty foot long west wall meets the north wall at a 90 degree angle after adjusting in the northwest corner for one of the gun emplacements.. The fifty-five foot long north wall terminates at a short stairway which allows access to the parapet. In each of the interior walls are semi-circular recesses, four feet wide and three feet deep, which allowed the muzzles of the cannon to be moved forward over the parapet after they had been made ready to fire.

There are two of these recesses along the south wall; three along the west wall; and three along the north wall. Semi-circular slabs, created of 12 x 6 inch granite blocks linked together, are imbedded in the earth at each recess. Known as truck runs, they have a diameter of seventeen feet and a radius of twelve feet. A wheel at the base of the gun carriages rested on the [continued] Massachusetts Bristol County NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - Nomination Form Continuation Sheet Fort Phoenix Fairhaven, Massachusetts 025 7. Description runs and allowed the cannoneer, with the use of handspikes, to rotate the cannon and its carriage 180 degrees. There are five cannon mounted at the Fort on wooden supports. The cannons are made of cast iron and dated 1828. There is one smaller cannon, unmounted, and lying on the middle truck run of the north wall.

This has a plaque affixed to it which states its origin. In the center of the Fort is a flag pole and a large boulder with a commemo- rative plaque. 61171181/1.5 MAR RECEIVED LO REGIS 1922 NATIONA' INSTR

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) - Pre-Columbian| - 15th Century 16th Century 17th Century X 18th Century - 19th Century 1775 L 20th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education Prehistoric Engineering - Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture Landscape Art Architecture Commerce Literature Communications X Military Conservation Music C Political Religion/Phi- losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation Urban Planning Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

General Gage, bottled up in Boston Harbor after the Battle of Concord and Lexington in 1775, sent the H. M. S. Falcon southward to Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands in search of food supplies. The appearance of this emblem of royal tyranny in the waters of Buzzards Bay incited the people of the villages of New Bedford and Fairhaven to action. Captain Nathaniel Pope and twenty-five local militiamen outfitted a sloop, the Success, and sailed out into the Bay seeking a prize. Two native sloops, previously taken by the Falcon were found at anchor and captured at the cost of one Redcoat dead. The prisoners were escorted to Taunton jail and the men of Fairhaven had taken part in one of the first naval engagements of the War. The local militia next took precautions to protect their harbor and possessions from future enemy incursions.

A fort was begun on the northwestern end of Sconticut Neck and completed two years later, in 1777. During the early years of the War, the rebel colonies (without a formal navy) engaged heavily in privateering. Sir Henry Clinton described the area around Fairhaven and Bedford as a "noted rendezvous for privateers." In a retaliatory action on 5 September 1778, over 4, 000 British troops under the command of General Grey landed on the western shore of the harbor at Clarke's Point, marched inland destroying warehouses, stores and rebel property. Over seventy ships (including several recent prizes of Count D'Estaing) lay in the harbor and all were destroyed. The British then crossed the Acushnet River and marched down the Fairhaven side to Sconticut Neck.

The Fort was deserted and the British destroyed it, burning the carriages, knocking the trunions off the cannon, burning the barracks and blowing up the magazine. The rebel militia under the command of Major Israel Fearing put up some resistance, but were far outnumbered. The British, having completed their mission in less than eighteen hours, departed at midday, 6 September. The local militia immediately began to rebuild the Fort. Indeed, the Fort was rebuilt so rapidly that it seemed to "rise from its ashes" and was called Fort Phoenix. 91 110 RECÊiVED MAR 17 1972 NATIONAL REGIS 10.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Almon, J.(ed.), The Remembrancer or Impartial Repository of Public Events, 1779. American Archives, Washington: M. St. Clair Clarke and Peter Force, Fourth Series, VoL.II, 1837. Clark, William Bell, (ed.), Naval Documents of the American Revolution, Vol. I, Washington, 1964. Stevens, B. F., Facsimiles of Manuscripts in European Archives Relating to America, 1775-1783, Vol. XI, 1157.

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds R NW NE SE " LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds 41° 37 26" LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds 70° 54" 11" APPROXIMA TE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: 2.3 acres VEATEE ROTES ANO SQUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY POUNDARIES CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE STATE GT CODE COUNTY: CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Richard W.

Hale, Jr., Acting Chairman ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: Office of the Secretary, State House CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION DATE April 30, 1971 STATE CODE 025 Massachusetts NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. The recommended level of significance of this nomination is: National State Local I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register.

Roter Uthy Chiet, Oftice of Archeolofy and Hintoric Preservation Name Kamar Secretary of the Commonwealth and Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission Date 11/9/12 Date February 15, 1972 ATTEST: sparad ford Keeper of The Nation l Registe Tate 100.7 GP 0 901.087 INSTRUCTIONS Bristol DATE OF RECEIPT 3-10-72 PROPERTY FORT PhOENiX YES NO NUMBER DATA PAGE 3-2-73 PHOTO (S) PHOTO DESCRIPTION (S) MAP (S) MAP DESCRIPTION (S) LOGGED ACKNOWLEDGE 3-17.72 RESUBMIT_ 2 TECH j$ 5-15-72 REVIEW HISTORTAN lemllit fileny soudes t clich on this, bit ARCHEOLOGIST ARCHITECT ASST. KEEPER KEEPER WRITER/EDITOR DIRECTOR, OAHP EDITORIAL PROCESSING, EDITOR STATE MASS. REGISTER: NOV 18119 WAR 17 AECEVED 1972 NATIONA! REGIST 9 1972 Phag nles 10/3/22 Ok Chamben 1/4122 0ff 3562 3p7/T CDA 19/26/72 Federal Registry Entry.

12-5-72 Logged NOV 9 1972 Card NOV 9 1972 COMMENTS: Annual Edition Entry WORKING NUMBER 3:/ 7,72.39/ CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Neg * 2 ExTeRiOR: FoRT PhoeNix FAiRHAVEN, MA DiRECTION: SOOTHEAST NPS Number- Now 2 1972 Tit10: Aort Phoeney 240C.. Bustal Chly, mase. eterión: Jocengs.

E UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STATE Massachusetts COUNTY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) Bristol FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER NOV 9 1972 DAT NAME COMMON: Fort Phoenix AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCA TIO STREET AND NUMBER: Fort Phoenix Park CITY OR TOWN: Fairhaven STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 COUNTY: Bristol PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: Massachusetts Historical Commission DATE OF PHOTO: 1971 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Massachusetts Historical Commission, Office of the Secretary) State House, Boston, Massachusetts IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Exterior: facing southeast CO 0 REOE MAR17 NATIONAL REGISTER Neg *12 HPS Number Nov. 9,1972 Tit1o Dort Phoenu INTeRiOR: FORT PhOeNiX FAiR HAVeN, MA Loc. Bueston Caty, mase.

Interio : s.W UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Massachusetts COUNTY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) Bristol FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER NOV 9 1972 COMMON: Fort Phoenix AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCA TION STREET AND NUMBER: Fort Phoenix Park CITY OR TOWN: Fairhaven STATE: Massachusetts CODE COUNTY: 025 Bristol HOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: Massachusetts Historical Commission DATE OF PHOTO: 1971 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Massachusetts Historical Commission, Office of the Secretary State House, Boston, Massachusetts DENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

Interior: facing northwest DI RECEIVE MAR 17 NATION REGIS Form 10-301 (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Bristol FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER NOV 9 1972 DATE Z - U 2 - NAME COMMON: Fort Phoenix AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: Fort Phoenix Park CITY OR TOWN: Fairhaven STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: U. S. G. S. New Bedford South, Mass. SCALE: 1: 24,000 DATE: 1963 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference.

COUNTY: Bristol CODE 005 PECEVEDI NAT REGIS gIT 55' -Radio Fecility 1Playground Island Fnoenix Park NEW BEDFORD SOUTH QUADRANGLE MASSACHUSETTS-BRISTOL CO 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) 342 343 770 000 FEET 32 26'' (MARION) 70°52'30" 41°37'30" ** FAIRHAVEN *oLittle Egg Island 4609 I CORPORATE nior High sch (8810 4608 wood Parkio BELLEVUE Playground Sewage Disposal- AAYANNOR Butler, Flats ° Lighthouse Cilymary Hospital 220 000 FEET 4607 COVE 27 1606 FORT PHOENIX U.S.G.S. NEW BEDFORD SOUTH, Mass Scale: 1:24,000 1963 1617 81/19 RECEIVED MAR 17 1972 NATIONAL REGISTE ETITE - 35' (SCONTIG UIT SNECK) LAM VIETEM E LIBERTATE John F. X. Daroren Secrelary of the Commonoealth The Commonvealch of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary Peate Hlouse, Boston 02133 February 17, 1972 The Office of Archeology & Historic Preservation National Park Service 801 Nineteenth Street, N.W. Washington, D. C.

20006 Attention: Miss Mary Means CERTIFIED MAIL Enclosed are National Register submissions for: 1. Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven, Massachusetts 2. Citizens Hall, Stockbridge, Massachusetts These have been declared eligible for submission by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the State Review Board, and have been signed by Secretary of the Commonwealth, John F. X. Davoren, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission and designated the State Liaison Officer. Sincerely yours, Bihwobu Hali/ Richard W. Hale, Jr.

Acting Chairman Massachusetts Historical Commission CTTBLD RWH/akc enclosures REGISTI NATIONAL ETTenTO ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACLUSETTS Date Entered NOV 9 1972 Name Mochanica Hall Essex Conpany Machine Shop The Bauley Palie Company tousing Districc Fort Fhoensx Location Horcester Vorcester County Lawrence Esser County Bolyoke Lanpaon County Fairhaven Lx15tol County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Fon. Zaward I. Erooke Ton. Adwazd P. Boland ton- Michaei J. Larrington Bon. Silvio O. Conte lon. Margarot M. Hockler Director, lortheast Region PHR State Liaison Officex Bon. Joln D. X. Davoren Fecretary of the Cormonwealth Chairmen, lassachusettr llstorical Conmission 40 Deacon Street Boston, Massachuretts 02100 NRcwland:mm 11/13/72