Today, the West Point Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin remembers the large and heavy chain placed across the Hudson River 239 years ago.
From the Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York. 1777-1795— 1801-1804. Volume III.
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The New Chain in Position.
Necessity of More Troops for the Defenses of the Hudson — The Contemplated Expedition Against New York City.
To: His Excellency Governor Trumbull.
Poughkeepsie, May 1st 1778.
Sir, I am favored with your letter of the 10th ultimo by which I have the pleasure to learn that we may soon expect the aid required from your state and Massachusetts Bay for the defense of Hudson’s River.
The chain which exceeds the old one in point of strength was drawn across the River at West Point on the 30th of the last month but the works for its defense at that place, though in good forwardness are far from being complete and at present the want of a sufficient strength prevents their being carried on with vigor.
Your men will therefore be a most welcome reinforcement.
An expedition against New York for the same reasons mentioned in your Excellency’s letter was suggested by his Excellency Genl. Washington and the practicability of it submitted to Genls. McDougall, Parsons and myself.
Genl. Parsons who soon after our Consultation on that subject went into Connecticut, will have acquainted your Excellency with the result and the obstacles which prevented the carrying such expedition into immediate execution.
These will soon be removed.
The fortresses in the highlands may soon be completed or at least rendered defensible against a sudden assault.
Grass will supply the want of forage and sufficient magazine of provision I am persuaded can be collected and the militia wish to engage in the service.
This being the case I conceive that at the end of a few weeks there will [not] be any objections against a measure, which if successful will be attended with the most salutary consequences, and if not fully executed may be so conducted as at least to serve as a diversion favorable to Genl. Washington.
I expect Genl. Gates to take the command here in a day or two when I will take the Liberty of suggesting the matter to his consideration.
I am with very great Respect Your Excellency’s &c.
George Clinton
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Both general and contractual description of the chain and its construction can be found in the History of West Point, And Its Military Importance During the American Revolution: and the Origin and Progress of the United States Military Academy by Edward Carlisle Boynton, published in 1864:
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The chain, as it appeared when placed in its position, is thus described by General Heath in his Memoirs:
November 14th, 1780. — The great chain, which was laid across the Hudson at West Point, was taken up for the winter. It was done under the direction of Colonel Govion, Captain Buchanan, and Captain Nevers [Niven], with a strong detachment of the garrison, and with skill and dexterity.
This chain was as long as the width of the river between West Point and Constitution Island, where it was fixed to great blocks on each side, and under the fire of batteries on both sides of the river.
The links of this chain were probably 12 inches wide, and 18 inches long ; the iron about 2 inches square.
This heavy chain was buoyed up by very large logs, of perhaps 16 or more feet long, a little pointed at the ends, to lessen their opposition to the force of the water on flood and ebb.
The logs were placed at short distances from each other, the chain carried over them, and made fast to each by staples, to prevent their shifting; and there were a number of anchors dropped at distances, with cables made fast to the chain, to give it a greater stability.
The short bend of the river at this place was much in favor of the chain’s proving effectual; for a vessel coming up the river with the fairest wind and strongest way must lose them on changing her course to turn the Point; and before she could get under any considerable way again, even if the wind was fair, she would be on the chain, and at the same time under a heavy shower of shot and shells.
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By direction of General Putnam, Hugh Hughes, Deputy Quartermaster-General, visited the Stirling Iron Works of Noble, Townsend and Company on the 2d of February, and entered into a contract with the proprietors to construct a chain. This contract was as follows:
Articles of Agreement between Noble, Townsend and Company, proprietors of the Stirling Iron Works,
in the State of New York, of the one part, and Hugh Hughes, Deputy Quartermaster-General to the Army of the United States, of the other part, witnesseth: —
That the said Noble, Townsend and Company, jointly and severally engage to have made and ready to be delivered at their works to the said Hugh Hughes, Deputy Quartermaster-General, or to the Deputy Quartermaster-General of the Middle Department for the time being, on or before the first day of April next ensuing the date hereof, or as much sooner as circumstances will admit, an iron chain of the following dimensions and quality: that is, in length five hundred yards, each link about two feet long, to be made of the best Stirling iron, two inches and one-quarter square, or as near thereto as possible, with a swivel to every hundred feet, and a clevis to every thousand feet, in the same manner as those of the former chain.
The said Noble, Townsend and Company also engage to have made and ready to be delivered at least twelve tons of anchors of the aforesaid iron, and of such sizes as the said Hugh Hughes or his successors in office shall direct, in writing, as soon as the completion of the chain will admit.
In consideration of which the said Hugh Hughes, in behalf of the United States, agrees to pay to the said Noble, Townsend and Company, or their order, at the rate of four hundred and forty pounds for every ton weight of chain and anchors delivered as before mentioned, unless the general regulations on trade, provisions, &c, which are now supposed to be framed by deputies from the United States, shall be published and take effect before the expiration of four months from the date of this; in which case the price is to be only ,£400 per ton for the said chain and anchors.
The payment, if demanded, to be made in such proportion as the work shall be ready to be delivered, which shall be determined in ten days after requisition made by a number of competent judges, not less than three nor more than five, unconcerned with the proprietors, or the works, and, if condemned, to be completed at the expense of the said Company, who are also to repair, as aforesaid, all failures of their work, whenever happening, whether at the works or river, or in extending it across.
The said Hugh Hughes also engages to procure of the Governor of this State, for the said Noble, Town- send and Company, an exemption for nine months from the date hereof, from military duty, for sixty artificers that are steadily employed at the said chain and anchors till completed.
Agreeable to the said exemption, the said Company complying with the terms thereof. Providing also that the said Company give the said Hugh Hughes, or his successors in office, the refusal, by letter, of all the bar iron, anchors, &c, made at the said works in the said term of nine months, at the current price, unless what is necessary to exchange for clothing and other articles for the use of the works.
It is also agreed, by the said parties, that if the teams of the said Company shall transport the said chain or anchors, or any part thereof, to any assigned post, they shall receive for such services the same pay as shall be given by the United States for the like; the teams of the Company being exempted from impress by any of the Quartermaster-General’s deputies during the space of nine months.
Lastly, the said Company engage to use their utmost endeavors to keep seven fires at forging and ten at welding, if assisted with such hands as are necessary and can be spared from the army, in case of their not being able to procure others, the said Company making deduction for their labor.
In witness whereof, the parties have interchangeably subscribed their names this second day of February, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, and in the second year of American Independence.
Peter Townsend, In behalf of Noble & Company.
Hugh Hughes, In behalf of United States.
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Note: they removed the chain each winter to save it from the damage of ice on the river.
The West Point Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin shows with an artist’s images of the chain across the Hudson River.
