Type Fort Garrison 10 or 12 men Built by Hendrick Christiaensen | Past
commanders Jacob Eelkens Year built 1614 Demolished 1618 | |
 | ||
Materials Wooden structure
surrounded by earthenworks Events First Dutch fort
in North America Occupants Dutch traders and soldiers Similar Fort Orange, Fort Casimir, Fort Amsterdam, Fort Christina, Van Ostrande‑Radliff House | ||
Fort Nassau (a.k.a. Fort van Nassouwen) was the first Dutch settlement in North America, located beside the "North River" (the modern Hudson) within present-day Albany, New York, in the United States. The factorij was a small fortification which served as a trading post and warehouse.
Contents
History
Henry Hudson explored what would be known as the Hudson River for the Dutch in 1609, including Castle Island which was at the center of Native American fur trading routes from the interior. Hendrick Christiaensen chose Castle Island to build Fort Nassau, in 1614 or 1615 as a dual warehouse and military defense structure and named the fort in honor of the stadtholder of the United Netherlands, who was of the House of Orange-Nassau. Christiaensen built on the remains of a 1540 French fur traders' fort or store house. This was the first Dutch settlement in North America. Jacob Eelkens became commander on Christiaensen's death in 1616.
In 1617 a freshet damaged the fort to such an extent that it was abandoned and rebuilt on more secure ground at the mouth of the Normans Kill (called the Tawasentha by the natives) with the Hudson River. This new fortification was built by Eelkens on a prominence called Tawass-gunshee by the natives. Once the new fort was completed, the Dutch completed their first treaty with natives of North America. In 1618 a freshet destroyed the new fort, and it was abandoned for good.
In 1624, the Dutch built Fort Orange nearby.
Geography
Fort Nassau was built on what is now called Westerlo Island and was formerly called Castle Island. The island was part of the town of Bethlehem until 1926 when it was annexed to the city of Albany. It has been part of the Port of Albany-Rensselaer since 1932.
Structure
Fort Nassau was a 36-foot (11 m) long by 26-foot (7.9 m) wide building enclosed by a 58-foot (18 m) square stockade surrounded by an 18-foot (5.5 m) wide moat. The fort was defended by two large cannon and eleven swivel guns. The fort was garrisoned by 10-12 men.