A major part of the Haven Towne Iron Bay fortification project were the defenses that controlled the entrance to the bay. This relatively deep and narrow channel was called “the gullet” and its strategic importance was obvious.
Two pairs of forts were built on both the north and south sides of the gullet. One pair, the chain forts, near sea level, hosted a massive iron chain that could be raised or lowered through mighty winches to open or close the approach
The other pair, high above the chain forts on the headlands, were equipped with huge cannons that commanded the sea and land approaches.