Fort Mott, New Jersey – Legends of America
Okay, history buffs and casual explorers alike, let’s talk about a cool spot in New Jersey that’s got a story to tell: Fort Mott. Nestled in Pennsville, it wasn’t just any old fort; it was a key piece of the puzzle in defending the Delaware River.
A Three-Fort Strategy
Think of Fort Mott as one-third of a superhero team. After the Civil War, folks realized the U.S. defenses needed a serious upgrade. So, they came up with a plan: a three-fort system to protect the Delaware River. Fort Mott was joined by Fort Delaware (sitting pretty on Pea Patch Island) and Fort DuPont (over in Delaware City).
From Humble Beginnings
The land where Fort Mott stands today was actually bought way back in the 1830s. The government had the foresight to see it as a prime location for a future fort. Fast forward a few decades, and the Civil War showed everyone that military tech was changing fast. The U.S. needed to catch up.
Originally, the plan for Fort Mott (then known as "Battery at Finn’s Point") was pretty ambitious: eleven gun spots for those big Rodman cannons, plus a mortar battery with six emplacements. Construction started in 1872, but things stalled out. By 1876, only a couple of gun emplacements and mortar battery magazines were done. The project was put on hold.
Enter the Endicott Board
In 1885, President Grover Cleveland decided it was time to get serious about fortifications. He created the Board of Fortifications (nicknamed the Endicott Board), and they came up with a massive plan to build new forts and upgrade old ones. For the Delaware River, the idea was to spread the firepower across those three forts we talked about earlier.
The original plans for Finn’s Point were scrapped, and new construction kicked off in 1896. They brought in the big guns – literally! Three 10-inch and three 12-inch guns were mounted on "disappearing carriages." These babies could fire projectiles weighing hundreds of pounds, with a range of seven or eight miles. Talk about a punch! The fort also had some rapid-fire guns for extra oomph.
On December 16, 1897, the fort got a new name: Fort Mott, in honor of Major General Gershom Mott, a war hero from the Mexican-American and Civil Wars.
State-of-the-Art Defense
By the time it was finished in 1902, Fort Mott was packed with cutting-edge military technology.
Here’s a cool fact: Unlike most coastal forts built around that time, Fort Mott was designed to withstand a land attack, too! They built earthen walls and a moat behind the gun batteries to make it tough for anyone trying to sneak up from behind. Plus, the fort had four 5-inch guns that could swivel 360 degrees to take out attackers trying to flank the walls.
The fort was armed with Battery Arnold (three 12-inch guns) and Battery Harker (three 10-inch guns), both using those awesome disappearing carriages. There were also Battery Gregg and Battery Krayenbuhl, each with two 5-inch guns that could fire in any direction.
And then there was the unique Battery Edwards, the smallest and strangest of them all. It had two 3-inch guns in big concrete bunkers, rebuilt from older magazines. These guns were meant to protect an underwater minefield by blasting any pesky minesweepers. It was a one-of-a-kind setup for U.S. forts back then.
A Little Town All Its Own
Fort Mott wasn’t just about guns and soldiers; it was a whole community. There were over 30 buildings, including barracks, officer housing, a hospital, a store, a library, a guardhouse, stables, a YMCA, and even a school for the soldiers’ kids! Most of these buildings popped up between 1897 and 1905.
The Delaware River was the lifeline of the fort. Munitions, supplies, and building materials all came in by barge.
Life at Fort Mott wasn’t all work and no play. Sports were a big deal. They had baseball, football, and basketball teams. Officers could even hit the clay tennis court. And when they weren’t on duty, soldiers would go hunting in the marshes for ducks and muskrats.
Married soldiers and officers could live on the post (if there was room) or just outside the gates on Fort Mott Road. Some of those houses are still around today. Life for the families was usually quiet and peaceful. Many of them grew gardens or raised animals to keep busy. And when they needed a break, the nearby towns of Salem and Delaware City were just a short trip away.
Changes Over Time
In 1910, the two 5-inch guns from Battery Gregg were shipped off to Fort Ruger in Hawaii. In 1918, the guns from Battery Krayenbuhl were taken away for possible use as field guns in Europe. By 1920, Battery Edwards was disarmed.
From 1897 to 1922, Fort Mott was always staffed with troops. But as World War I approached, the fort started to seem a bit outdated. Fort Saulsbury, with its long-range 12-inch guns, was built closer to the coast and could take on enemies much farther out.
From 1922 to 1943, the government only kept a small crew at Fort Mott to maintain the grounds. In 1933, the officer’s quarters were actually floated across the river to Fort DuPont!
From Fortress to Park
Eventually, Fort Mott’s guns were taken apart and either moved to other locations or melted down for scrap. In 1943, the fort was declared "surplus property," and the barracks and hospital were torn down. Like most coastal forts built after the Civil War, Fort Mott’s guns never saw real combat. They were only fired for training and testing.
In 1947, New Jersey bought the land and turned it into a historic site and state park. Fort Mott State Park opened to the public on June 24, 1951.
Fort Mott and Finn’s Point National Cemetery were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Visiting Today
Today, you can wander through the old gun batteries and read the signs that explain what everything was used for. The park museum tells the story of Fort Mott and shows off the technology that was used to defend the river. Sadly, the original guns are gone, but the museum has a cool "gun yard" with some interesting exhibits.
The batteries are well-maintained, and there are two fire control towers still standing. The 1903 Guardhouse, the 1902 Headquarters/Administration building, the 1901 Ordnance building, and the 1904 Peace Magazine have all been restored. The ordnance building houses the park offices and the museum. And, of course, the Delaware River is right there, with a shoreline that’s perfect for a walk or a picnic.
So, if you’re ever in Pennsville, New Jersey, take a trip to Fort Mott State Park. It’s a great way to step back in time and learn about a fascinating piece of American history.