Hudson River Chain - Fort Washington's chevaux-de-frise (1776)

Fort Washington's chevaux-de-frise (1776)

As part of the barriers erected across the river, the Army constructed a chevaux-de-frise, an array of logs sunk underwater, between Fort Washington on the island of Manhattan, and Fort Lee across the river in New Jersey. The logs were intended to pierce and sink any British ships that passed over it. An opening was left for the passage of American ships. As the British learned of the opening from a local resident, they successfully passed through the barrier several times. The British captured Fort Washington on November 16, 1776, rendering the defensive barrier moot.