Fort Wool, Military fortress in Hampton Roads Harbor, Virginia.
Fort Wool is an artificial island fortress in Hampton Roads Harbor featuring two tiers of casemates and gun emplacements for coastal defense. The installation sits at a strategic point where the harbor opens to the sea.
Construction started in 1819 under French engineer Simon Bernard, who had served under Napoleon, to defend the Chesapeake Bay after British raids. The fort was built as a response to vulnerabilities exposed during earlier conflicts.
The fort served as a key observation post during the American Civil War for monitoring military movements. Walking through its remains today, visitors sense how critical this location was for controlling the waterway.
The fortress is visible from multiple vantage points, including from Interstate 64 during the bridge crossing or from the water during boat tours. The most rewarding way to experience the site is aboard a ferry service that provides closer views of the structure.
The fort sits on Rip Raps shoal, an artificial formation made from rocks dumped by sailing ships entering the harbor, which continued sinking during construction. This unusual foundation makes the fortress a remarkable example of military engineering adaptation.
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