Battle of Brooklyn Underwater Memorial, Conceptual Plan, Gowanus Canal, 2014

On the 27th of August 1776, a critical battle was fought between the forces of England, and it’s former colonists of America. Had the now independent Americans not managed a strategic retreat across the Brouwer’s Mill bridge of Gowanus Creek, American independence would have been crushed, and Brooklyn would still be a part of Canada.

photo: Daniel Barry, New York Times

Underwater Ghost Concept: Eymund Diegel

To celebrate both this strategic historic turning point, and the now sparkling waters of the Gowanus that are expected with the Superfund cleanup and new Flushing Tunnel, it is proposed to reconstruct an underwater monument tracing the course of this ‘Bridge to Freedom” . Such a monument will serve to remind a passer-by on the Union Street Bridge that by going backward we also move forward.

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Battle of Brooklyn Underwater Memorial, Conceptual Plan, Gowanus Canal, 2014

Published on Mar 24, 2011

Hall of the Gowanus Digital Library

This is an exploration by Eymund Diegel of ways to commemorate one of the most important bridges in American history, Brouwer’s Mill Bridge, built around 1645. This Bridge played a critical role during the 27 August 1776 Battle of Long Island, becoming a “Bridge to Freedom” for retreating American colonists fleeing from English forces. Without it, there would have been no America. The monument would also celebrate the clean water from the Superfund cleanup and City Flushing Tunnel reopening. With the water now transparent enough to see the bottom of the Canal, passing pedestrians on the Union Street Bridge would be reminded that by going backward, we also move forward.

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