The History of Alcatraz Island Essay - 4099 Words

The History of Alcatraz Island Alcatraz Island has quite a distinct history. Many people know that Alcatraz served as a federal prison, but most are reluctant to know that this island served as fort. Built before the Civil War, it served two main purposes. First, that it was to guard the San Francisco bay area from enemy ships against a foreign invasion, and second, to hold hostage prisoners of war or POWs as they were called. In this report, Ill show you how this fortress came to be a federal prison, why it is no longer in operation today, and most importantly, to show why it was built in the first place. When the great Gold Rush of 1849 first started, California grew from what would be considered a small, unpopulated state, into†¦show more content†¦By the early 1860s, Alcatraz had 111 cannons. Some were enormous, firing a fifteen-inch ball weighing over 450 pounds. Defenses included a row of brick enclosed gun positions called case mates to protect the dock; a fortified gateway or a Sally Port to block the entrance road; and a three-story citadel on top of the island. This served both as an armed barracks and as a last line defense strategy. Even though Alcatraz was built to withstand a foreign invasion, its most important use was during the Civil War, 1861 - 1865. Seeing as it was the only completed fort in the entire bay, it was vital in the protecting from Confederate Raiders. Early in the war, ten thousand rifles were moved to Alcatraz from the State armory, to prevent them from being used by southern sympathizers. The crew of a Confederate privateer were among the first inmates to be held within The Rock. Alcatrazs notoriety as a penitentiary overshadows its earlier, and longer use by the Army. Surprisingly, this small island once was the most powerful fort west of the Mississippi River. There was some limited modernization of the islands defenses after the Civil War. Rifled cannons were mounted. In 1854 some 450 electrically controlled underwater mines were brought to the i sland to protect the Bay. However, as the ships of potential enemies became more and more powerful, the defenses were increasing! ly obsolete. In 1907 Alcatraz officially ceased being a fortress and became PacificShow MoreRelatedAlcatraz Island: A Brief History1608 Words   |  7 Pagesprison officers (Mahaney, Erin. History and Facts about Alcatraz. About.com). Closing The Great Depression of the 1930s resulted in the already pricey expenses to run the army barracks to almost double. The current prisoners were departed to other prisons in Kansas and New Jersey. In 1933, the Army deserted the prison.\ Alcatraz would continue as a prison for more than 100 years, but just under a different control†¦ Federal Penitentiary Establishing Alcatraz was obtained by the federal bureauRead MoreMen Who Were Sent to Alcatraz Essay722 Words   |  3 PagesAlcatraz began in 1850 as a military prison. Later it became a federal prison. Then on the verge of 30 years it was closed. Then for a while Indians used the island. Alcatraz was used to house the criminals who provoked problems at other jails. The island was located off the coast of California. The island has had many uses over a span of 122 years. Alcatraz was first used as a Military prison. They used it as a Military prison from 1850 to 1934. In 1934 it was changed to a federal prisonRead MoreDid Anyone Ever Escape Alcatraz? Essay1000 Words   |  4 Pagesthere escape from Alcatraz, but it cannot be proven. 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INTRODUCTION I. If you disobey the rules of society, they send you to prison; if you disobey the rules of the prison, they send you to Alcatraz. II. Alcatraz has been a popular social topicRead MoreAlcatraz Would Continue as a Prisoner but Under a Different Control1702 Words   |  7 Pages The military prisoners that were on Alcatraz at the time would build the new military prison from 1909 through 1911. The new cell house was equipped with 600 cells, â€Å"†¦a hospital, a mess hall, and other prison buildings† (history.com). Research around this subject states, that when the prison was completed it was the world’s largest reinforced building (NPS). 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This probably was due to it’s location, which was on Alcatraz island, located around a mile away from shore, surrounded by the supposedly shark infested, strong currents, ice cold water of the bay. Today, the prison is only used as a tourist attraction, a mere shadow of what it once was. (DeconstructingRead MoreInformative Speech Outline on Alcatraz Essay1090 Words   |  5 Pages* Alcatraz Informative Speech Outline General Purpose: To inform the class Specific Purpose: To describe to the audience a brief history of Alcatraz. Thesis: Alcatraz has been a popular social topic because of the mystery that surrounds it and the stories exaggerated in movies and television shows. INTRODUCTION I. If you disobey the rules of society, they send you to prison; if you disobey the rules of the prison, they send you to Alcatraz. II. Alcatraz has been a popular social topic