Goat Island (Rhode Island) facts for kids
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Native name:
Nante Sinunk
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Newport Harbor Light (1842) on northern tip of Goat Island as seen from The Point. The Claiborne Pell Bridge can be seen in the background.
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| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 41°29.112′N 71°19.681′W / 41.485200°N 71.328017°W |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State | Rhode Island |
| City | Newport |
Goat Island is a small island located in Narragansett Bay, which is part of Newport, Rhode Island, in the U.S. A causeway bridge connects the island to the Easton's Point neighborhood. Today, Goat Island is home to the historic Newport Harbor Light (built in 1842). You can also find homes, a restaurant, event spaces, and a hotel there. In the past, the island was important for military defense. It had several forts and the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station. It was also the site of early conflicts with British ships, like HMS St John and HMS Liberty.
Contents
The History of Goat Island
Early Days and Forts
The Narragansett Indians originally called the island "Nante Sinunk." They sold it in 1658. Early colonists from Newport used the island to graze goats, which is how it got its current name.
In 1703, during the War of the Spanish Succession, an earthen fort was built on Goat Island. This fort was named "Fort Anne" after Queen Anne, who was the reigning queen at the time.
Pirate Burials
On July 19, 1723, a group of twenty-six pirates were buried on the north end of Goat Island. They had been tried in Newport just days before. This was a very large burial of pirates for the American colonies. Many people from across New England came to witness it.
Fort George and British Conflicts
In 1738, a stronger stone fort was built on the island. It was renamed Fort George in honor of King George II.
In 1764, people from Newport took control of Fort George. They fired shots at HMS St. John, a British ship. The crew of this ship was accused of stealing from local merchants. Later, in 1769, Rhode Islanders burned the British customs ship HMS Liberty. This happened when the ship drifted to the north end of Goat Island. These events were early acts of rebellion against British rule.
Goat Island During the Revolution
In 1775, the fort on Goat Island was renamed Fort Liberty. However, the British army occupied Newport from 1776 to 1779. During their occupation, they changed the fort's name back to Fort George.
After the Revolution
After the American Revolution, the fort was repaired in 1784. It was then renamed Fort Washington, honoring George Washington. In 1794, the city of Newport sold Goat Island to the U.S. federal government for $1,500. This was done to keep a military fort there to protect Newport Harbor. The fort was named Fort Wolcott to remember Oliver Wolcott, a general and member of the Continental Congress.
In 1824, the first Newport Harbor Lighthouse was built at the north end of the island. Fort Wolcott remained active until 1835. Its soldiers were then sent to Florida to fight in the Seminole Wars.
In 1851, the original lighthouse was moved to Prudence Island. It became the Prudence Island Light. The lighthouse you see today, the Newport Harbor Light, was built on a dike near the old lighthouse site. The area around this dike was later filled in when the hotel was built.
In 1869, the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station was established on Goat Island. It was built on the site of the old Army fort. Over the next 100 years, this station grew significantly. It produced many of the Navy's torpedoes during World War I and World War II. The torpedo station closed in 1951. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center was then created with a facility nearby.
Coast Guard Presence
Besides the lighthouse, the Coast Guard has kept a cutter (a type of patrol boat) at Goat Island since the late 1960s. The Point class cutter USCGC Point Turner (WPB-82365) served its entire 31-year career at Goat Island. It was in service from 1967 until 1998. The tradition of having a Coast Guard cutter stationed there continued. The Marine Protector class coastal patrol boat USCGC Tiger Shark (WPB-87359) was stationed there in 2005.
Modern Redevelopment
In the 1960s, Goat Island was sold to a private company called Globe Manufacturing. Over several decades, Globe built the Colonial Hilton Hotel. This hotel later became the Sheraton Islander Inn, then the Doubletree Hotel, and is now the Hyatt Hotel. They also built the Goat Island South Condominiums. The only remaining former navy building on the island was turned into the Goat Island Marina and Marina Bar & Grille.
In the 1990s, another company, IDC (Island Development Corp.), built the "Regatta Club." This is a venue for events. After some legal decisions, the Goat Island South Condominiums took ownership of the "Regatta Club." They now lease it to another company. In 2006, Longwood Venues and Destinations opened Belle Mer. This is a large event space for private parties, covering 7.5 acres.
Images for kids
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Fog horn on Goat Island
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Hyatt Hotel on Goat Island
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Marina Bar and Grille is located in the only U.S. Navy building remaining on Goat Island
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Condos on Goat Island, built in 1978 and 1979
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Former home of Thomas Rodgers on Goat Island
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Harbor Houses on Goat Island
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Harbor Houses on Goat Island
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Belle Mer
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Seawall on Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island
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Fort George with colonial era Newport in the background
- Frederic Denlson, Narragansett Sea and Shore, (J.A. & R.A. Reid, Providence, RI., 1879)
- George L. Seavey, Rhode Island's Coastal Natural Areas.
