Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys

on duty for several years in the Highlands, I consider it important to give the American reader some idea of the character of those obstructions, as the preservation of the navigation of the river was of vital importance in retaining a communication between the Eastern and Middle States, if, in fact, it were not a hinge upon which hung the final success of freedom's cause. On the evacuation of New York which followed the disasters on Long Island in 1776-the Americans hoped to hold Fort Washington, then eight or ten miles above New York, and Fort Lee on the palisades, a mile or two below upon the New Jersey shore.

The First River Obstruction, placed in the Hudson to impede its navigation, was just below Fort Washington. It was called a chevaux-de-frize, and consisted in part of docks or cribs of timber filled with stone, and of sunken vessels. This was an expensive experiment, as the river's channel there was some 5,000 feet, and it failed to meet the public expectation, In fact it was far from a state of completion when (July 12th) two of the enemy's vessels-the Phoenix of 44 and the Rose of 16 guns -although saluted by the batteries upon both shores, passed it and found a safe anchorage above.

On the night of August 16, those vessels with a bomb ketch and two tenders were moored not far from Yonkers, when an attempt was made to burn the flotilla by FIRE SHIPS, a plan for river defense devised by Capt, John Hazelwood, of Philadelphia. Two sloops filled with combustible materials were used for the occasion, and were conducted with whale boats for the escape of the crews, by Captains Ross and Thomas, each with nine men. The former first grappled with the Ketch, which was burned to the water's edge, and he fortunately escaped with all his men. His fire being first kindled, the approach of Capt. Thomas was discovered, but he nothing daunted grappled with the Phoenix, which was set on fire, but having a moment's warning she was saved by slipping her cables, getting free from her lurid adversary, and clawing off into the stream to extinguish her fires. Capt. Thomas and five of his men, finding their escape to their boat cut off by the flames on their own vessel, threw themselves into the river, and unable to reach their boat, were all drowned. Many of the inmates of the Ketch, are said to have been drowned. So alarmed were the captains of those ships, that they soon returned to New York; although they were somewhat injured in running the gauntlet between Forts Washington and Lee.

The Second River Obstruction.-This was a chain drawn across the Hudson near Fort Montgomery, in the autumn of 1776. Its management was given to a secret committee, from the members of the State convention: nor is it known that any professed engineer rendered them any essential assistance. A chain that had been used or designed for the river Sorel, was brought down and used, and the remainder was manufactured at Poughkeepsie. A letter from one of the Townsend family stated that the Fort Montgomery chain was manufactured at the Ring Wood Iron Works, New Jersey, and from cold short iron. Some of its iron may have been there wrought into bars, or the Sorel chain may possibly have been manufactured there in whole or in part; but the chain under consideration was much of it wrought and the whole of it arranged at Poughkeepsie. It was made of 1 1/2 inch bar iron, but from what mines it was forged, it is difficult to determine.

August 28, the secret committee reported the work of making the chain greatly delayed for the want of blacksmiths, and asked for the services of men at work there on a continental frigate; and September 3, the State committee granted their request. Again September 17, Gilbert Livingston, one of the chain committee reported to the State convention, that the chain had been delayed for the want of iron. October 22d, the convention directed Mr. Livingston to be sent down with the utmost dispatch to Fort Montgomery, with such parts of the chain as were fixed in the logs. The chain was evidently given its place about the middle of November, and soon after it parted twice, for on the 23d of that month the State Convention resolved that the blacksmiths making it should not be paid until a proper examination be made respecting it. The following certificate found among the Machin papers, explains the cause of the accident:

"FORT MONTGOMERY, Dec. 9, 1776.
"These are to certify that the chain that has been stretched across the North river at this fort, has been broke twice; the first, a swivel broke, which came from Ticonderoga, which was not welded sound; the second time, a clevin broke, which was made at Poughkeepsie, in a solid part of the chain, and no flaw to be seen in any part of said chain. Which we do certify at the request of Messrs. Odle and Vanduzer.
"JAMES CLINTON, B. GEN.
"ABM. SWARTWOUT, CAPT.
" JAS. ROSECRANS, CAPT.
"DANL. LAWRENCE, LIEUT."

In preparing a report of the chain difficulties for the Continental Congress, the State committee say: "In perfecting the obstruction between Anthony's Nose on the eastern shore and Fort Montgomery, we endeavored to avail ourselves of the model of that which had proved effectual in the river Delaware, and were assisted by the advice and experience of Capt. Hazelwood, but the great length of the chain, being upwards of 1,800 feet, the bulk of the logs which were necessary to support it, the immense weight of water which it accumulated, and the rapidity of the tide, have baffled our efforts; it separated twice after holding only a few hours." The chain was required to sustain too much bulk of timber for its dimensions. It was supported by logs, which are believed not to have been much scored or seasoned, and not anchored, or if at all not sufficiently, hence the chain was broken. The logs were lengthwise across the stream.

In this condition of things, Mr. Livingston sought a consultation with Gens. Heath and Clinton, and Engineer Machin, when the latter, comprehending the difficulty, said he could still make it subserve its intended purpose. Mr. Livingston laid the result of this meeting before the State Committee November 30th, and on the same day that body "Resolved, That Mr. Machin be requested and authorized to alter and fix the chain intended for the obstruction of Hudson's river, in such manner and at such place as he may think best calculated to answer the purpose for which it was intended, and that this committee will advance the money necessary to defray the expense thereof." Capt. Machin so altered and lessened the bulk of its timber, and so sustained it upon floats of long-spars anchored by the aid of caisson-cribs filled with stone, that the chain met the expectation of its projectors. He completed that work in April, 1777, it is believed, and left it nearly or quite in its original position.

The Third River Obstruction- This consisted of a boom of some kind, placed in the river in front of the chain at Fort Montgomery. Tradition has not only said that a chain and boom were there in the summer of 1777 ; but the British account of its doings at that point in the autumn of that year, says that they destroyed a boom and a chain at that place, and another boom near Fort Constitution six miles above. We are led to infer that the first structure placed in the river and designated as a boom at Fort Montgomery, was of an imperfect and unfinished character, constructed of logs, and designed by the committee, which originally superintended the construction of that chain, and was intended to be superseded by the one making, as toe British account says, near Fort Constitution, some distance up the river. In certifying to his public services subsequently, Gov. Clinton said: "Capt. Machin was employed in constructing and making booms to draw across the river in front of the chain (in 1777) till the reduction of that fort by the enemy." And on the 13th of January following the passage of the obstruction by the enemy, Gen. Putnam in a letter to the Commander-in-Chief, and dated at West Point, speaking of the condition of things there-where preparations were then making to place other obstructions-says: "Parts of the boom intended to have been used at Fort Montgomery sufficient for this place, are remaining." Now, as the breadth of the river would require 300 feet less of boom at West Point than at Anthony's Nose, it is easy to conjecture that it had not been in the river or the enemy would have set it afloat; and it was too bulky an affair for the foe to attempt its entire destruction upon land. Besides, had it been in place, why would he have said intended to have been used? or why should Gov. Clinton have said Mr. Machin was employed in making this boom until the enemy came, if it were in the river before?

Object of a Boom.-The reader is ready to ask the character and object of a boom. It was constructed of logs or scored timber, held together by chains at their ends, and was intended to be drawn across the river a little below the chain, which it was designed to protect. The second, or West Point boom, was constructed of timber scored and wrought into a desirable form, with no little labor and artistic skill. If I may express an opinion, I should say that the boom was not as taut in the water as the chain, and was just far enough below that to be carried to it by force. That it was intended to receive a ship under full sail, and by the time the whole mass was animated-so as to be brought upon the chain-its force would be far spent; and thus enable the chain to receive and withstand any shock abreast with the force of a ship thus blunted; besides, the chain must, of necessity, have had a little slack. It is believed that the boom and chain at West Point could have successfully withstood the shock of several ships at once.

The Fourth River Obstruction.-On November 26, 1776, the State Committee "Resolved, That the navigation of Hudson's river be obstructed near Pollopels Island, at the northern entrance of the Highlands, agreeable to the plan recommended by Gen. James Clinton, and that the committee of this State will exert every measure necessary for that purpose." This is a small island near the eastern shore, nearly opposite New Windsor. The obstruction was placed between the western shore of the river and the island, and known as a chevaux-defrize. It was planned and constructed by Mr. Machin, in the fall of 1776 and spring of 1777; and the better to define the position of the engineer, the State Committee took action in the matter January 6, 1777, as follows: "Resolved, That Capt. Machin be empowered, with the advice and under the direction of Gen. George Clinton, to employ such and so many laborers and artificers as will be sufficient to perfect the obstructions in Hudson's river, and to layout and erect such works as will be necessary for the defense thereof." This obstruction consisted mainly of square cribs of round timber, locked at the corners as log dwellings were formerly made. Those cribs were filled with stone to hold them down, and in them were iron-pointed spars projecting southward and upward at an angle of 45 degrees, intended to pierce the bottom of a ship in an attempt to pass over them. This work was not entirely completed when the enemy passed it in the fall.

The succeeding papers directed "To Capt. Thomas Machin, at Murderer's Creek," one of which was without date, were evidently written while the navigation of the river was being obstructed in 1777 :

"To Capt. Machin:
"SIR-I have already directed that no more timber should be cut on Mr. Ellison's land for the obstructions to be made in the river (except it should be such long walnut pieces as could not be so conveniently had anywhere else), until a proportionate share of timber for that use was also got on lands lying equally near the river. I am surprised, therefore, to hear that a company of carpenters are in his woods cutting away timber of every kind, which I trust may be without your order or knowledge. He is willing you should take such long walnut pieces as you want and can't get as conveniently elsewhere; other kind of timber we certainly can, and more so. I expect, therefore, you will direct the carpenters to desist cutting in his woods till further orders from me.
"I am your most obd't serv't,
"GEO. CLINTON."

"NEW WINDSOR, 31st, Jan'y, 1777.
"DR. Sir-I set out for Kingston to-morrow morning, where business will detain me a few days. I wished to have seen you before I set out. I cannot now expect it. I think the artificers neither go out early enough in the morning, or continue late enough in the evening at work. I was surprised this day to see many break off a little after three in the afternoon. It was said that they had not been home to dinner, but allowing that to be the case, from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon is not by any means a day's work. To cure this mischief I enclose you an order which you'll publish among those employed, and endeavor to carry it into execution. If you think the hours are too long, make any alteration you think right; but pray, whatever hours are fixed on, contrive to make them work.

" I am in great haste your most obed't,
"GEO. CLINTON."

"Capt. Machin."

"Orders to be observed by the artificers and others employed in obstructing the navigation of Hudson's river, 13th, Jan'y, 1777.

"As high wages are given by the public at this season of the year, when the days are short and the weather fickle, in order to have this most necessary work (on which not only the safety of this State, but of the whole continent depends,) completed in due season :-It is therefore expected that those who are employed and receive the public money, will be faithful in the service and do the most they can. It is the business of the master workmen who have contracted to carryon the work and taken the charge of small parties under them, to see that they are diligently employed and work faithfully. It is for this they are allowed extra wages, and it is expected that in this way they will earn, or in justice they cannot expect to receive it. The monthly pay rolls must be attested (if required) by the master workmen, and an honest man can never return a man for a full day's pay who has not done a full day's work. This would be dishonest and punishable; but that every possible guard may be set against deception, and that all account for pay of artificers and others may stand fair and uncontrovertible, the engineer is to fix upon the hour in the morning at which all hands are to be at work-the hour they are to quit for dinner, the time when they are to return to work after dinner, and break off in the evening; and to cause the rolls to be called over by such person or persons as he shall appoint at those and such other times as he shall see fit; and mark the defaulters (if any) that a proper deduction may be made from their wages. It is. expected at present that those employed near the barracks will work at least eight hours every day, at those employed where the timber now lays, or at that distance, at least seven. The time for working each day to be lengthened when the days grow longer.
"GEO. CLINTON, B.- Gen'l."

Fac-simile of a letter from Gen. Washington "to Brig.-Gen. Knox, commanding the corps of artillery." It was written during the visit of Capt. Machin to the Commander-in-Chief, at his winter quarters.

The following paper, which is without date, will explain itself:

"SIR-I am informed that the Inhabitants of Kingston are desirous of making some Works for the Defence of their town. I approve of their intentions, and wish to give them every assistance in my power in the execution of this business; and that the works may be constructed on a Plan most efficient and least expensive, I request you will repair to that place and assist in laying them out, in which Col. Bruyn will advise. It will not be practicable, neither do I conceive it necessary to enclose the town, as the houses are stone, and will form (if the Windows and Doors are properly secured) good Lines of Defence. Small Redoubts or block-houses, therefore, at the different and most commanding quarters of the Town, are all that to me appear necessary; which ought to be constructed each for a Piece or two of artillery, so as to clear the lines formed by the houses; and when it can be, conveniently, these should be so contiguous to each other as to be within the reach of Musketry, which will be a saving of Ammunition. In constructing these works, it is to he observed that Artillery against them is not to be apprehended.
" I am your most obed't serv't,
"GEO. CLINTON.
Capt. Machin."