Blog
The Iron Chain Defense Of The Hudson: The Great West Point Chain
May 19, 2025
During the American Revolution, control of the Hudson River was vital for both strategic movement and supplies. The British sought to split the northern colonies from the southern by cutting this key supply route. To prevent the Royal Navy from using the Hudson, various methods were proposed, including sinking ships and deploying iron-tipped logs called chevaux de frise. However, these attempts failed due to the river’s depth and width
In 1776, a massive iron chain was stretched across the Hudson between Fort Montgomery and Anthony’s Nose. Captain Thomas Machin, an artillery officer with engineering experience, oversaw the project. Despite significant challenges, including the chain breaking under the river’s force, it was reinstalled in 1777. However, during a British attack on Fort Montgomery, the chain was bypassed, and British forces burned nearby Kingston.
In 1778, it was decided that West Point, where the river curves sharply, would be a better location for a new chain. This location would slow down enemy ships, leaving them vulnerable to cannon fire. Machin led the effort to forge a stronger chain at Sterling Iron Works. The 600-yard-long chain weighed 35 tons and was designed to be installed in spring and removed each fall to avoid ice damage.
The chain was assembled at Brewster’s Forge and transported to West Point. Installed with the help of log rafts and anchors, it stretched across the river, forming a defensive barrier. Although never tested by the Royal Navy, the chain served as a crucial deterrent throughout the war. After the war, it was left to rust, but a few links were preserved and are now on display at West Point as a testament to this remarkable engineering feat.