American Revolution
Fort Jay is situated on the location of earthworks originally built to defend New York City during the American Revolution. General Israel Putnam constructed the first earthen fortification this site starting in April 1776, and armed it with eight cannons for the defence of New York Harbor. Additional artillery were added and on 12 July 1776 Fort Jay engaged HMS Phoenix and HMS Rose. The American cannons inflicted enough damage to make the British commanders cautious of entering the East River, which later contributed to the success of General George Washington's 29-30 August retreat from Brooklyn into Manhattan after the defeat in the Battle of Brooklyn. The Americans abandoned the earthworks that September with the eventual British occupation of New York City. The British Army improved the existing earthworks and used the island as a British Navy hospital until they departed on 25 November 1783. At that time Governors Island was conveyed to the State of New York.
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