Fort Adams (1) Advanced Redoubt

 (184?-1946) - Established in 184? as a redoubt in advance of Fort Adams on the northern end of Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island. Mostly completed under the supervision of 1st Lieutenant Isaac Ingalls Stevens. Abandoned in 1946.

History
Established in 184? as a redoubt in advance of Fort Adams on the high ground about 1/4 mile from the fort. The original intent was for the Advanced Redoubt to deny any enemy approaching from the land side the ability to lay siege to the fort from the high ground. The redoubt was itself a sophisticated stone fortress that included inner and outer ditches, reverse fire galleries, interconnecting tunnels and a central core with an unusual dual circular staircase. Access to the central core over the inner and outer ditch was by drawbridge. The outer ditch formed a square and had reverse fire galleries that were connected to the inner works by tunnels. The inner works were bounded by the outer ditch and the inner ditch. While the outer ditch was square in shape, the inner ditch was shaped like a horseshoe around five sides of the central core. The sixth side of the central core faced the outer ditch and contained a drawbridge.

As the military need for the redoubt declined it was use for a variety of other purposes.


 * On 25 Mar 1905 the B' and BC stations for the adjacent mortar Battery Edgerton and Battery Greene as well as the F' were located on a tower on the redoubt and accepted for service.


 * On 29 Oct 1921 two 3" M1917 antiaircraft guns were mounted on the south side of the redoubt and accepted for service. In July 1938 a third gun was added.


 * On 6 Jul 1923 the plotting rooms for the adjacent mortar Battery Edgerton and Battery Greene were located in the southwest corner of the redoubt and accepted for service. Some parts of the installation remain.


 * On 10 Jan 1928 the fire control switchboard was located in the southeast corner of the old redoubt.

The Redoubt was abandoned along with Fort Adams in 1946.

Current Status
Part of Fort Adams State Park, Newport County, Rhode Island. Parts being restored but the redoubt is not yet open to the public.

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