This is such an amazing revelation! How many movers and shakers know about it? When it first came up on this List, I thought it related it to a weapons or ammunition depot of olden days... because of WAshington's presence at West Point during the RWar. Along with these thoughts--I found a website in which William Wade, Master engraver, taking the steamer trip from New York to Albany and back in 1846, drew his impressions of the river banks as he traveled each direction. This can be found at http://hhr.highlands.com It's a charming site--I made copies to illustrate relevant chapters in my Family History--giving credit of course.... The Intro--from the website: "This little book is less than six inches tall, but this panorama of the Hudson River opens up in accordion fashion to over six feet. The book presents both sides of the River, but in order to see the west bank right side up, one must turn the book upside down." [northerly is one side of the book, southerly on the reverse side] The text from 'Wade's Panorama' relates to his engravings and has been included--original spelling has been maintained:. A priceless example of the life and times that also inspired The Hudson River School of painting. The page entitled "Bend in the River" is West Point and the site of the chain across the Hudson in 1777 is indicated. "Constitution Island [east bank across from West Point] "divides the Hudson unequally at the bend round the point, the western branch being a marshy shallow. This island, a mass of rock, was defended by batteries on a level with the water, and the glacis formed in the rock bade defiance to trenches. A heavy chain was cramped into the rocks at either end, supported by buoys, stretched across the angle made by the river and formed an effectual bar. This chain prevented the English from ascending the river in their armed ships, and the great object of the works on both sides was to protect it. Twenty pieces of heavy ordnance, discharging grape, menaced those who should attempt to cut a link, with destruction. And the roller on which the chain moved, suffered it to grow slack, thereby preventing any iron beaked vessel from breaking it under the combined forces of wind and tide. As soon as the shock was thus broken, the chain could be immediately made tense, and the vessel must be turned aside and stranded on one or the other shore." Jan jgrellim@sbcglobal.net > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ed Maul" <rowdyrebel@optonline.net> > To: <nywestch@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 10:44 AM > Subject: Re: [NYWESTCH] massive old structure in Ossining > > >> Chain was across Hudson at WEST Point. >> Ed >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: <Plantinga@aol.com> >> To: <nywestch@rootsweb.com> >> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 1:30 PM >> Subject: Re: [NYWESTCH] massive old structure in Ossining >> >> >>> >>> In a message dated 7/6/2007 7:21:15 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, >>> mklaffky@columbus.rr.com writes: >>> >>> the tunnels were apparently originally built as an >>> escape route for G Washington and troops, who had an encampment near by >>> >>> >>> As a young girl traveling by car between Dutchess County and New York >>> City >>> to visit family, my mother would tell us stories to keep us busy. One >>> of >> the >>> stories was about a chain being placed across the Hudson to stop >>> British >>> ships that might come up the Hudson. Wasn't that chain at Ossning? >> Could that >>> have anything to do with the tunnels, etc.? >>> >>> Joan R. Plantinga >>> San Jose, CA >>> >>> >>> >>> ************************************** See what's free at >> http://www.aol.com. >>> *************************************** >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> NYWESTCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >