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For the Fort Independence in Washington, D.C., see Fort Independence.
The Castle
377160 2016-01-07 00015
197
Site
Worldmap Loc Img 172
Map MarkerThe Castle
People
FactionsCommonwealth Minutemen (—2240/2287—)
Other
QuestsTaking Independence
Old Guns
With Our Powers Combined
Defend the Castle
Technical
Cell NameTheCastle01 (tunnels)
ref id000adec8 (tunnels)
TerminalsSecurity Terminal
Security Terminal
 
Gametitle-FO4
Gametitle-FO4

We've gotten big enough that we're having trouble communicating with all our settlements. It's a good problem to have. And I have a solution. I think it's time to retake the Castle. It used to be the Minuteman HQ, way before my time. Well-fortified, centrally-located, and most important - it has a powerful radio transmitter we can use to broadcast to the whole Commonwealth.

Preston Garvey, Fallout 4

The Castle also known as Fort Independence[1][2] was the stronghold of the Commonwealth Minutemen until 2240, and is also a possible settlement now. This granite star fort that once provided harbor defenses for Boston, Massachusetts is located on Castle Island.

Background[]

For the pre-war history, see Fort Independence on Wikipedia

The first earthen fortification was constructed on the site in 1634 to defend the colonial town of Boston from attack by sea. The first fort soon fell into disrepair and was rebuilt mainly out of timber, in the 1640s. The timber fort was taken down and a new fort of brick was constructed in its place in 1701. Although the earlier incarnations of the fort were simply known as "the Castle," this larger brick fort was called "Castle William" in honor of their King, William III.[3] In the centuries following the Great War it, interestingly has taken its original name; "The Castle."

It served as the headquarters for the Commonwealth Minutemen until 2240, when the Castle was partly destroyed by a gigantic Mirelurk Queen, and most of the Minutemen leadership died.[4] Their General at the time, McGann, was cut off from the battle early on when the tunnel to his quarters collapsed. While waiting for rescue he secured the armory by activating its security.[5] Eventually, as he ran out of supplies[6] – and conceded that help was not coming – he drank wine he found, easing his passing into oblivion.[7]

Rebirth[]

Almost fifty years later, the Commonwealth Minutemen under Sole Survivor (as General) retook the fort. Culling the mirelurks that since made it their nest, they cleaned out the egg clutches and corpses and reactivated their communications equipment, returning a critical asset back into Minutemen hands.[8] Once this is done an old legendary member from before the Castle's loss calls the General back to open it's West Bastion, and access its Armory. Giving the Minutemen access to their artillery once more.[9]

Settlement information[]

The Castle's courtyard is spacious with plenty of room for growing crops or constructing buildings if desired. There is also accessible open water to the north (outside the walls of the fort) which can be useful for large scale water production. Being a fort, the Castle is already well fortified from attack, which is good given that the area is prone to raids. Most notably, there is almost no junk that can be scrapped for building materials, so supply lines will likely be needed to supplement the Castle's resources.

Layout[]

The Fort's walls have been destroyed and ripped open by the invading Mirelurk queen, but it's otherwise in good condition. The battlements contain remnants of the Minutemen artillery units and offer excellent vantage points against encroaching enemies. The courtyard includes the main antenna and radio center and the settlement workshop, while the fort rooms contain a well developed settlement with a well developed infrastructure, available after Taking Independence is completed. Notably, these rooms contain a kitchen with a cooking stove, a first aid store, a chemistry station, and a meeting room. A weapons workbench and an armor workbench are available after gaining access to the armory.

The Castle tunnels[]

The tunnels can only be accessed during the quest Old Guns, by going down the stairs in the meeting room in the east corner of the fort. The tunnels are just that: a winding series of tunnels underneath the Castle. Lined with various storerooms, the hallways spiral around to room containing an emergency generator and chemistry station. The halls continue down toward some barracks, where Sarge is still operational. A nearby door leads to the western bastion, where the Castle's armory lies.

Inhabitants[]

Notable loot[]

Appearances[]

The Castle appears only in Fallout 4.

References

  1. Preston Garvey: "Everyone's here, General. There it is. Pretty impressive, huh? Its real name is Fort Independence, but the Minutemen always just called it the Castle. Now you can see why I wanted to take it back."
    (Preston Garvey's dialogue)
  2. Alana Secord: "We're still monitoring increased activity around Fort Independence, though there's no immediate cause for concern."
    (Alana Secord's dialogue)
  3. Fort Independence on Wikipedia
  4. Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Collector's Edition p.517: "[18.08] THE CASTLE
    Historians have noted the original name for this settlement was Fort Independence, but the people of the Commonwealth now refer to it simply as the Castle. This place has a long and storied history; it is one of the first forts in America and predates the Revolutionary War. In recent times, it served as the base of operations for the Minutemen as they attempted (and failed) to establish a Provisional government. In 2240, the Castle was partly destroyed by gigantic Mirelurk, and most of the Minutemen leadership died.
    Still, it is generally agreed that the location could yet become an excellent base of operations for the Minutemen (and an exceptional settlement) if it can be reclaimed from the sea creatures. Note that the map information refers to interior corridors within the fortification walls."
    (Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Map)
  5. The Castle terminals; Security Terminal, Attacked in the night
  6. The Castle terminals; Security Terminal, Bolstered my position
  7. The Castle terminals; Security Terminal, Final entry
  8. Preston Garvey: "We've gotten big enough that we're having trouble communicating with all our settlements. It's a good problem to have. And I have a solution. I think it's time to retake the Castle. It used to be the Minuteman HQ, way before my time. Well-fortified, centrally-located, and most important - it has a powerful radio transmitter we can use to broadcast to the whole Commonwealth."
    (Preston Garvey's dialogue)
  9. Old Guns
Fo4 Minutemen Flag
Fo4 Minutemen Flag
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