A Giant Among Forts

Imagine this twenty acre fort filled to capacity: 2,400 soldiers here to defend Newport with 468 cannon sited along the most probable attack routes.

Though designed to house an imposing force, Fort Adams was normally garrisoned with several hundred troops during peacetime. When America engaged in war, however, the fort and surrounding area teemed with thousands of soldiers patrolling the ramparts and training for combat.

Simon Bernard, who had served as a lieutenant general of engineers under Napoleon, designed Fort Adams using many of the advanced fortification techniques of French engineers.

[ Along Bottom of Marker :]Fort Adams Newport, RI

Circa: 1825

Size: 871,200 sq. feet

Material: Granite, Shale & Brick

Soldiers: 2,400

Guns: 468

Fort McHenry Baltimore, MD

Circa: 1796

Size: 85,000 sq. feet

Material: Earth & Brick

Soldiers: 1500

Guns: 60