Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2010 22:03:55 GMT 10
For over a century debate has raged over the identity of the builders of this structure. Speculation has ranged from the Norse to the Chinese to the Norwegians and Swedes. Most archeologists maintain that the tower was built in Colonial times and that there is no mystery surrounding its construction. But the full story of how this great monument came into being may not yet have been told.
Constructed of small slabs of unfinished stone held together with a mortar of shells, sand and water, the tower is built upon eight round columns separated by an equal number of arches supporting the remains of two upper stories. Now just over 24 feet in height, it once stood at least several feet taller.
Interestingly, the Newport Tower was not built around a perfectly circular plan. From southeast to northwest the diameter measures 22 feet, 2 inches, but when measured from east to west, the diameter lengthens to 23 feet, 3 inches.1 This thirteen-inch differential is only one of many strange design aspects and may be an important clue towards determining the purpose of the structure
Constructed of small slabs of unfinished stone held together with a mortar of shells, sand and water, the tower is built upon eight round columns separated by an equal number of arches supporting the remains of two upper stories. Now just over 24 feet in height, it once stood at least several feet taller.
Interestingly, the Newport Tower was not built around a perfectly circular plan. From southeast to northwest the diameter measures 22 feet, 2 inches, but when measured from east to west, the diameter lengthens to 23 feet, 3 inches.1 This thirteen-inch differential is only one of many strange design aspects and may be an important clue towards determining the purpose of the structure
Archeologists and historians for the most part agree that Governor Benedict Arnold—grandfather of the Revolutionary War traitor—had the Newport Tower constructed in the mid 17th century. As evidence, they point to a passage in governor Arnold's will in which he refers to the tower as "my stone-built windmill."1
Of course Governor Arnold never actually states that he built the structure. He may simply have been referring to the pre-existing stone tower that now resided on his land. In any case, all the will really proves is that the tower was in existence prior to the Governor's death in 1677.
Of course Governor Arnold never actually states that he built the structure. He may simply have been referring to the pre-existing stone tower that now resided on his land. In any case, all the will really proves is that the tower was in existence prior to the Governor's death in 1677.
In examining the eight pillars that support the upper walls of the tower, it can readily be seen that the columns do not sit flush against the upper walls. In fact they overhang the upper levels by several inches. Proponents of the theory that the Norse constructed the tower point out that this design was a common feature of medieval European baptisteries where an outer structure would be built around the central stone core
So if Governor Arnold's contemporaries didn't build the tower, who did? Popular local opinion has long held that the tower was built by the Norse. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow helped to popularize this theory with the publication of his poem "The Skeleton in Armor" in which he makes several references to the Newport Tower.2
Proponents of the Norse theory often point to the unit of measurement they believe was used during construction. Unlike other Colonial structures that were built using the English foot, the Newport Tower appears to have been based using an ancient Scottish unit of measurement known as an ell which is equivalent to three Norse feet
Proponents of the Norse theory often point to the unit of measurement they believe was used during construction. Unlike other Colonial structures that were built using the English foot, the Newport Tower appears to have been based using an ancient Scottish unit of measurement known as an ell which is equivalent to three Norse feet
www.unexplainedearth.com/newport.php#1
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