Prison Ships Martyrs' Monument

There is also a "prison ships martyrs' monument" in Fort Greene Park. It is dedicated to the American soldiers who lost their lives in Wallabout Bay during the American Revolution. During this battle, the British had captured Americans aboard ships in the bay and provided them with atrocious living conditions. As a result, over 11,500 American deaths resulted from malnourishment and disease aboard the vessels. In 1873, America decided to put a crypt with the soldiers' remains atop the hill in the park.

The city eventually commissioned for a monument dedicated to the soldiers. the architecture firm of McKim, Mead and White won the opportunity to do the design and they created the largest freestanding doric column in the world at the time. The granite column rises 149 feet over top of the crypt. It also holds an eight ton urn at the top.

I also noticed that they fly a POW MIA flag below the American flag at the monument. I think that this is a very special touch to the park. While it may not create a social space, it certainly brought about some proud memories and introspection for me personally. I would be amiss not to mention my own valiant grandfather who courageously served as a bombadeer and was shot down while serving our country in WWII. He ended up serving as a POW in Germany for some time. Thank you, and rest in peace, Thomas Albert McQuade. You were an amazing man.