Chaining the Hudson

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

This well-researched chronicle covers the struggle for control of the Hudson highlands and of the strategically vital waterway itself from 1775 to 1783. The narrative is concerned principally with military/naval inventions produced by ``rebel genius'' for use in that particular zone of operations during the Revolutionary War. They include flaming-tower signal systems, ingenious shallow-water obstructions and the first torpedo-carrying submarine. With one exception, none were great successes. In 1778, Lt. Thomas Machin of the Continental Army devised and directed the forging and assembly of a 1700-foot chain, which was then winched across the Hudson at West Point and provided with a shock-absorbing boom. The barrier proved to be a turning-point in the war, as it prevented the Royal Navy from ascending the river and splitting the colonies. Diamant's ( Bernard Romans ) painstaking reconstruction of this remarkable engineering feat is impressive. He goes on to trace the chain's fate after its ``honorable retirement'' in 1782. Most of it was sold to ironmongers, but segments have turned up in unlikely places, including a Beverly Hills antique shop, in recent years. Illustrations. (May)

Library Journal

In the spring of 1778 the Continental Army laid a 1500-foot chain across the Hudson River at West Point. Constructed of some 750 individual links, each almost three feel long and weighing more than 100 pounds, the chain prevented the British navy from operating on the upper Hudson for five critical years. American technology helped win the Revolutionary War. Diamant tells the chain's history from original conception to the disposition of the few remaining links. He also recounts other efforts to block the river. Excellent quotations and more than 100 illustrations grace this readable, popular history.-- Henry W. Fritz, Univ. of Montana, Missoula

Booknews

An enjoyable history from an unusual perspective. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)