Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Torpedo Building
Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Wadsworth
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 11, 2008
1. Torpedo Building wayside
Main illustration – “Battery Weed, the Torpedo Building, and related structures, c. 1920”
This structure, built from 1892-94, once held the key to New York Harbor’s defense. In the late 1800s, military engineers developed “torpedoes” – actually “mines” in current military terms – that could be exploded electrically from shore positions like Battery Weed behind you. New York’s torpedoes and their miles of cable were not permanently wired in place but stored here until needed.
These tracks connected the 323-foot by 42 foot Torpedo Building and the nearby cable storage tanks to the wharf. If New York was threatened, small rail cars could quickly transport the torpedoes and cables to specialized vessels ready to stretch them across the narrows. The Army tested this system in the late 1890s, but removed the torpedoes and cables in 1899.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 40° 36.331′ N, 74° 3.294′ W. Marker is on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It is in Fort Wadsworth. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Fort Wadsworth - Gateway National Park, Staten Island NY 10305, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battery Weed (within shouting distance of this
this page online
Also see . . . "Military Railroads of the New York Metropolitan Area". A brief look at the rail layout. (Submitted on August 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 11, 2008
2. Torpedo Building ruins
The building burned in the 1980s.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, February 12, 2006
3. Torpedo Building ruins
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 31, 2013
4. Torpedo Building and transport rails.
plus an M-149 Trailer, Water, 400 gallon (Water Buffalo)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
