Fort Miller (Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Miller/Fort Darby |
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| Naugus Head, Marblehead, Massachusetts | |
 Fort Miller/Fort Darby
Location in Massachusetts
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| Coordinates | 42°31′12″N 70°51′43″W / 42.52000°N 70.86194°W |
| Type | Coastal Defense |
| Site information | |
| Owner | private |
| Controlled by | Town of Marblehead |
| Site history | |
| Built | circa 1629-1632 |
| In use | circa 1632-1900 |
| Demolished | circa 1900? |
| Battles/wars | American Revolution War of 1812 American Civil War |
Fort Miller was an important old fort located in Marblehead, Massachusetts. It was also known as Fort Darby or Darby's Fort for a long time. This fort was built around 1630 and was used for about 270 years, until the early 1900s. Its main job was to protect the coast from attacks by ships.
Around 1861, the fort was renamed Fort Miller. This was to honor James Miller, a brave colonel who fought in the War of 1812. He was famous for his actions in a big battle called the Battle of Lundy's Lane. Later, James Miller worked in nearby Salem from 1824 to 1849.
History of Fort Miller
Building the First Fort
Fort Miller was the very first fort built in Marblehead to defend the coast. It was constructed between 1629 and 1632. Colonial forces, led by the acting Governor of Massachusetts, John Endecott, oversaw its building.
The fort was first called Fort Darby. Some people think it was named after a similar piece of land in England. It was built on Naugus Head, which is at the northwest part of Marblehead's peninsula.
Even though it was in Marblehead, Fort Darby was actually placed to protect the harbor of Salem. Another fort, Fort Pickering, was built on Winter Island in 1643 to help defend Salem. In 1634, the Gale's Head Fort (which later became Fort Sewall) was built as Marblehead's main defense.
Fort Miller in Wars
Fort Darby was used during the American Revolutionary War. This was when the American colonies fought for their freedom from Great Britain.
Later, the fort was repaired for the War of 1812. During this war, the United States fought against Great Britain again. Fort Darby was used as a lookout spot and a place for soldiers to practice drills near Fort Sewall.
For the American Civil War, the fort was rebuilt and made stronger. It became a battery with five guns. This is when it was renamed Fort Miller.
Life at the Fort
Fort Miller had five large guns to defend the coast. It also had a magazine, which was a safe place to store ammunition. There was a bomb-proof shelter on the parade ground, which was a strong building to protect soldiers during attacks. Outside the fort, there were barracks where the soldiers lived.
A report from January 31, 1865, showed what kind of guns the fort had. It had two 8-inch smoothbore guns, two 24-pounder smoothbore guns, and one 32-pounder rifle. Smoothbore guns have a smooth barrel, while rifles have grooves inside that make the bullet spin.
The 11th Unattached Company of Massachusetts militia was stationed at Fort Miller. These soldiers protected the fort from December 1864 to June 1865. The fort continued to be used through the Spanish–American War, which happened in 1898. After that war, the fort was likely taken down.
