Conanicut Battery

Two forts reside at this park...

Area

The Conanicut Battery is a perfect example of how the United States military utilized strategic locations throughout time. Conanicut Battery is located in Jamestown and has an open view of Narragansett Bay. The fort itself was constructed during the Revolutionary War, and is located at the top of a gradual uphill from the bay to give that distinctive height advantage seen in most of the forts we visited. To the south of the fort, the U.S. military implemented batteries that were used for early reconnaissance. The six batteries were also located on a hill and were positioned at different heights. The largest battery of the six was located at the top hill and was likely the most important. The thick plant life currently in front of the batteries was cut away for optimized visuals.

The oldest being...

Revolutionary War Battery

Overview

When It Was Active: 1776-1781
Occupied By: Colonists, British, and French
Built By: U.S. forces (1776). Rebuilt by British (1778)

Picture from the Battery Day Reenactment in 2017

Construction

When the Rhode Island General Assembly first built the fort, it was most likely a simple crested mound. Once the British took over, they redesigned the fort into what is visible today. Parapets, ranging from 3-5 feet tall, and ditches, around 3 feet deep, surround the entire battery except for the one entrance on the eastern backside of the fort. Bastion areas are still visible in the Southwest and Northeast corners. On the Western front face, there is a visible dip in the parapet. This small cutout indicates the placement of a large piece of artillery, most likely the main piece of weaponry against the incoming ships.

Strategy

Sitting right on the coast of the West Passage, this fort had a direct line of fire for any ships trying to make their way further up Narragansett Bay. Again, like other forts, the land around the battery was free of trees and any visible obstructions. The two bastions on opposite corners would have provided an even better view for ships on the horizon, and also serve as important defense against threats from inland forces.

Narrative

This battery was built quite quickly for the purpose of defending the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. Despite having such a strategic position, when the British did come up the passage six months after the fort was constructed, it had already been abandoned and the British ships had no issue sailing past Jamestown. They took advantage of the abandoned fort and improved it themselves. Two years later in July of 1778, the British fired at two French ships with the 24 pounder cannons of the fort. There was little damage done to the French fleet and after the attack, the battery was abandoned for good.

Plaque commemorating history of the battery.

Also at this location...

WWI and WWII Firing Stations

Overview

When It Was Active: 1916-1945
Occupied By: 243rd Coast Artillery Regiment
Built By: U.S. Forces (1916)

Military observationists at work

Construction

There are six buried cement bunkers placed at ascending elevations on the hill top of the peninsula. Each bunker is about 7-8 feet deep and can only be entered through a rooftop ladder entrance. On the front faces of the bunkers, there is a 1 foot wide viewing slot that has the remains of wood framed windows as cover. The slots provide views to the East, West, and South, providing a combined clear view of the surrounding waterways.

Strategy

The U.S. military saw the advantages of building Command Stations and observation stations at the location of the Battery used during the Revolutionary War. The strategic location offered a perfect view of the bay, especially at its higher elevation. Observers stationed within the posts would warn surrounding forts, including Fort Wetherill, Fort Greble and Fort Adams, of incoming ships. The bottom three Stations were used for observation, and the top three were command centers for officers. The firing stations also served as Harbor Defense Command Post in 1934. It also served as Harbor Mine Command in 1943, protecting East and West Passage mine fields because of its clear view. The Conanicut stations were useful because of how easy the Bay was to access. Without a vantage point, it would be hard for forts with artillery to find and take out their targets.

Narrative

During World War II, the German u-boats were a problem for the U.S. forces. It was the job of observation posts, like this one at the Conanicut Battery, to spot these vessels before they could do any damage. Despite the minefields and submarine nets in place within Narragansett Bay, one submarine seemed to slip through the cracks. On May 5, 1945, German submarine U-853 sunk the U.S merchant ship SS Black Point. On the following day, the U-853 was found and sunk by a combination of Navy and Coast Guard ships. The wreck sits to the east of Block Island and is now a popular recreational dive site. The remains of this vessel so close to Rhode Island stand as an important reminder of just how important Rhode Island was during World War II.

Wreckage of U-853