A History Of Irish Workers At Fort Adams

Irish Workers at Fort Adams – Newport, RI

Scotsman Alexander McGregor oversaw the masonry work at Fort Adams, which is the oldest and largest coastal defense works of its type in the Unites States.

Construction of Fort Adams in Newport, RI  began in 1824 and spanned three decades.

By 1831 over 300 Irish immigrants worked six days per week to build Fort Adams.

• 52 masons worked for about $1.72 per day
• 2 carpenters at $1.50
• 1 wheel-wright at $1.23
• 2 smiths at $1.23
• 250 laborers at $1.00 for moving earth.