Fort Matanzas St Johns Florida United States
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Matanzas Inlet, the southern mouth of the Matanzas River, can be used as a rear entrance to the city of St. Augustine.
Such an approach avoids St. Augustine's primary defense system centered at Castillo de San Marcos.
Governor James Oglethorpe of Georgia in 1740 uses the inlet to blockade St. Augustine and launch a thirty-nine day siege, which St. Augustine endures, but the Spanish realize the need to protect the inlet.
Construction begins in 1740 under Governor Manuel de Montiano.
Convicts, slaves, and troops from Cuba are used as construction labor.
The fort is sited on Rattlesnake Island and has a commanding position over Matanzas Inlet.
Fort Matanzas is constructed of coquina, a common shellstone building material in the area.
It is fifty feet (fifteen meters) long on each side with a thirty-foot (nine point one meter) tower.
The marshy terrain is stabilized by a foundation of pine pilings.
The standard staff for the Fort is one officer in charge, four infantrymen, and two gunners, though more troops can be stationed if necessary.
All soldiers at Fort Matanzas serve on rotation from their regular duty in St. Augustine.
Five cannons are placed at the Fort—four six pounders and one eighteen pounder.
All guns can reach the inlet, which at this time is less than a half mile away.
As the Fort is nearing completion in 1742, the British under Oglethorpe approach the inlet with twelve ships.
Cannon fire drives off the scouting boats and the warships leave without engaging the Fort.
This brief encounter is the only time Fort Matanzas will fire on an enemy.