Jean Foncin, a French military engineer, designed a five sided fort for Castle Island that was in place during the War of 1812. He also worked on the design of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, the famous “Star Spangled Banner” fort.
Not as Easy as it Looks: Building Fort Independence “Pour elever les fortifications necessaires a la defense du port de Boston, j’ai construit le fort independence a la Satisfaction des citoyens de cette Ville.”
- John Foncin to President Thomas Jefferson*
”Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Peckham
Lieutenant Lewis Peckham drew the watercolor sketch of Foncin’s plan. Despite his skill as a draftsman, Peckham’s wife was not impressed. She placed an ad in Vermont and Pennsylvania newspapers. Beware of a Monster… (Lewis Peckham) had deserted my bed and board…I do denounce him a Liar and a Villain and a person not to be trusted by either sex. He is a robber of innocence…He is despised by his comrades and pitied by his acquaintances. …I have to caution all young females as well as old women to beware of this monster; wherever he may go...In consequence of his standing in the army, I took him for a gentleman but alas, I was deceived.
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National Park Service
Plan of Fort Independence - Massachusetts Historical Society
Foncin’s Design of Fort Independence
Traditional castles had high walls that were easily shattered by modern cannons. The star shaped fort had lower, thicker walls that could absorb some cannon shots. Multiple angles made direct hits more difficult. Five bastions allowed defensive fire from every direction.
*“To erect the fortifications necessary to defend Boston Harbor, I built Fort Independence to the satisfaction of the citizens of that city.”
- Jean Foncin to President Thomas Jefferson
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- Gilbert Stuart portrait, Art Institute of Chicago
Lost in Translation
Writing in French, Jean Foncin, appealed to President Jefferson in April 1803. Apparently he expected a salary but was paid for individual projects. “Pardon me, Sir, for writing in my native language. I do so…to avoid any improper expressions.” Secretary of War Henry Dearborn reprimanded Foncin: “I regret that there had not been a better understanding of the subject previous to your engagements.” Cost estimates for Fort Independence were “so incorrect as to prove either a want of candour or judgement.”