Above: Plaque to right of the east sally port entrance reads:
FORT JAY
This important example of military architecture is a dramatic reminder of the early defenses erected in New York Harbor to protect the City from invasion by sea. Like so many other fortifications in this country, its star-shaped plan was inspired by the designs of Sebastien de Vauban, the great French military architect. The fort was completed in 1798, and named after John Jay, then Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Strengthened in 1806-1808, the massive walls, bristling with 100 guns, helped to deter the British from attacking the City in the War of 1812. Today it is under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard. Plaque provided by the New York Community Trust, 1975. 		Various other Fort Jay views #9 --

66th of 74 views in NYCHS Governors Island prison history virtual tour.

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© Copyright 2006 New York Correction History Society. Images & text. Non-commerical educational use with source credit permitted.

Terminal:
3 views, begin
Page 01 		En route:
5 views, begin
Page 04 		Docking:
3 views, begin
Page 09 		Building 140:
5 views, begin
Page 12 		Castle Wms:
4 views, begin
Page 17 		Prison yard:
6 views, begin
Page 21 		Sprial stairs:
4 views, begin
Page 27
Tiers, cells:
7 views, begin
Page 31 		From roof:
4 views, begin
Page 38 		Castle cannon:
5 views, begin
Page 42 		Fort moat:
8 views, begin
Page 47 		Fort cannon:
3 views, begin
Page 55 		More fort:
9 views, begin
Page 58 		8 return views:
ferry: Page 67,
terminal: P. 71