page_title: Hudson River Chain
section_title: Fort Lee to Fort Washington chevaux-de-frise (1776)
hierarchical_section_title: Hudson River Chain / Fort Lee to Fort Washington chevaux-de-frise (1776)
caption_attribution_description: English: Full map title: A plan of the operations of the King's army under the command of General Sr. William Howe, K.B. in New York and east New Jersey against the American forces commanded by General Washington, from the 12th. of October, to the 28th. of November 1776, wherein is particularly distinguished the engagement on the White Plains, the 28th. of October.
context_page_description: The Hudson River Chain was two chain booms and two chevaux de frise constructed from 1776 to 1778 during the American Revolutionary War across the Hudson River as defenses to prevent British naval vessels from sailing upriver. These defenses along the Hudson River were overseen by the Highlands Department of the Continental Army. The most significant and successful was the Great Chain, constructed from West Point in 1778, and used through 1782 after the war's end. The huge links for the chains were forged at iron works in Orange County, New York.
context_section_description: As part of the barriers erected across the river, the Army constructed chevaux-de-frise, an array of logs sunk underwater, between Fort Washington on the island of Manhattan, and Fort Lee across the river in New Jersey. The logs were intended to pierce and sink any British ships that passed over it. An opening was left for the passage of American ships. After the British learned of the opening from a local resident, they successfully passed through the barrier several times. The British successfully captured both forts in the Battle of Fort Washington on November 16, 1776 and Battle of Fort Lee on November 20, rendering the defensive barrier moot.
caption: 1777 map detail showing the chevaux-de-frise between Fort Lee and Fort Washington
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