Built 1644 Designated CP January 10, 1984 Area 1 ha Added to NRHP 14 April 1975 | NRHP Reference # 75001908 Opened 1644 Phone +1 781-631-0000 | |
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Location Marblehead, Massachusetts Part of Marblehead Historic District (#84002402) Address Fort Sewall Ln, Marblehead, MA 01945, USA Similar Abbot Hall, Chandler Hovey Park, Jeremiah Lee Mansion, Marblehead Light, Robert "King" Hooper M | ||
Fort sewall
Fort Sewall is a historic coastal fortification in Marblehead, Massachusetts. It is located at Gale's Head, the northeastern point of the main Marblehead peninsula, on a promontory that overlooks the entrance to Marblehead Harbor. Established in 1644, it is one of the oldest English coastal fortifications in the United States. It was rebuilt with a blockhouse in 1775 during the American Revolution. After the American Revolution, the federal government took over the property. During the War of 1812, on April 3, 1814, the USS Constitution, perhaps the most famous American ship of war ever to sail, took shelter under the guns of Fort Sewall from a pursuing pair of British frigates, the Tenedos and the Endymion. Despite lacking the ammunition and powder needed to sink or drive off the two frigates, the fort's garrison was able to bluff the British by running out all of their guns and acting as though they were preparing to attack. Faced with a 36-gun frigate and the defensive batteries of a fort, the British elected to retreat, none the wiser.
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During the Civil War, Massachusetts troops were garrisoned at Fort Sewall, 12 pieces of artillery were mounted to defend Marblehead Harbor, and a few Confederate prisoners of war were held here.
The fort was turned over to the town in 1922, and is now open as a public park. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.