Robert Erskine facts for kids
Robert Erskine (1735–1780) was a clever Scottish inventor and engineer. He moved to the British colony of New Jersey in 1771. There, he took charge of the ironworks at Ringwood, New Jersey. Later, he supported the American fight for independence. In 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, he designed a special underwater barrier. This barrier was placed across the Hudson River near Manhattan to stop British ships from sailing upriver.
In 1777, General George Washington made him the Geographer and Surveyor General of the Continental Army. This was a very important job, and he held the rank of colonel. In this role, Erskine drew more than 275 maps. Most of these maps showed the Northeast region of America.
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Early Life and Inventions
Erskine was born in Scotland and studied at the University of Edinburgh. When he was young, he started a business, but it didn't work out. However, he was a brilliant inventor! He created machines like the "Continual Stream Pump" and the "Platometer." These were special water-powered devices. He also experimented with other hydraulic systems, which use water to create power.
Because of his inventions, Erskine became well-known in Scotland as a skilled engineer. He also cared about his community and became a respected leader there.
Moving to New Jersey
In 1771, when he was 36, Erskine was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This was a big honor in the world of science. That same year, the owners of an ironworks near Ringwood, New Jersey, hired him. He was to replace the previous manager, who had spent too much money and almost ruined the business.
Erskine immediately started working hard to make the ironworks successful again. But his plans were interrupted by the start of the American Revolutionary War. Erskine supported the American side. He was worried that his workers might leave to join the army. So, he organized them into a local citizen army called a militia. In August 1775, he was made a captain of this group.
Helping in the Revolutionary War
When the war really began, the American colonists were worried. They feared that British warships would take control of the Hudson River. If that happened, it would cut off New England from the rest of the colonies.
Erskine designed a special underwater barrier called a marine cheval-de-frise. Imagine big, pointed logs tied together across the river. This barrier was meant to stop large warships from sailing past. It was placed in 1776 between Fort Washington (on the north end of Manhattan) and Fort Lee in New Jersey.
George Washington was very impressed with Erskine when they met in 1777. Washington quickly appointed him to a very important job: Geographer and Surveyor General of the Continental Army. In this role, Erskine drew more than 275 maps of the northern part of the war.
His maps were incredibly detailed, showing roads, buildings, and other important features. They were very helpful to General Washington and are still valuable today for understanding history. Many of these maps are kept at the New-York Historical Society.
Erskine also continued to run the Ringwood ironworks. This was crucial because the ironworks supplied important weapons and materials to Washington's army.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1780, while he was out on a map-making trip, Erskine became sick. He passed away on October 2, 1780, likely from pneumonia. He is buried at Ringwood Manor in Ringwood State Park in New Jersey.
Erskine received several honors for his work. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1771. He was also chosen as a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1780.
Today, Erskine Lake and Robert Erskine Elementary School, both in Ringwood, are named after him.
Images for kids
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Ringwood Manor, with an old cannon and a piece of the Hudson River Chain in front
