What If New York State Had Seceded?

 

The Act of New York, granting the Federal Government the use of sites for military installations inside New York Harbor contains this language: “The United States are to retain such use and jurisdiction, so long as said tract shall be applied to the defense and safety of the city and port of New York and no longer.”

 

New York Harbor

 

 

Federal Miliary Installations Inside New York Harbor

 

Fort Layfayette in New York Harbor 1861

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Layfayette Seen From Brooklyn

 

 

 

 

The Brookyln side pier for the Varranzano-Narrows Bridge, built in 1960, occupy the site where Fort Layfafette was situated in front of Fort Hamliton at the mouth to the channel between Staten Island and Brooklyn. (see below for map)

 

Brooklyn Navy Yard 1861

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location of Brooklyn Navy Yard

 

 

Fort Hamliton, at the Narrows

 

 

Location of Fort Hamliton at the Narrows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Happened in April 1861

A Trial Lawers Notebook

President Lincoln’s War Fleet

Joe Ryan