Fort Delaware - Delaware City, DE
Posted by: 
94RedRover
N 39° 35.375 W 075° 34.053
18S E 451265 N 4382360
Constructed in 1817, Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island was orignally for protection of the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia, but soon became a feared prison for Confederate Soldiers during the Civil War.
Waymark Code: WM6NNF
Location: Delaware, United States
Date Posted: 06/27/2009
Views: 4
Pea Patch Island, as it was known to the locals, was a private hunting ground for Dr. Henry Gale. In 1794, the French military engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant surveyed the island as an ideal location for a river defense fort. The US military offered Gale $30,000 for the island, but Gale refused. The military then appealed to the Delaware State Legislature, and the island was seized from Dr. Gale on May 27, 1813.
Construction began in 1817, but a fire destroyed the original structure. By 1833, the original structure was torn down, and the fort that stands today began construction between 1848 and 1859. At the time, it was the largest fort in the United States and cost over $1,000,000 to build! The fort is surrounded by a deep moat, with revolving cannons on all sides.
In 1862, during the Civil War, the island was used as a prison for Confederate prisoners of war. Originally, the fort was designed to hold 2,000 prisoners, but by 1863, the number had surged to over 10,000. Wooden barracks were built on the parade grounds to house the prisoners, 212 men to each of the 54 barracks. Some 2,900 prisoners died at Fort Delaware as a result of disease. They are buried at Finn's Point in New Jersey.
The State of Delaware acquired the fort in 1947 and opened Fort Delaware State Park. Access to the island is by ferry only, leaving from Delaware City in Delaware or Fort Mott in New Jersey. Volunteers at the park, dressed in period garb, reenact life at the fort in 1864. Each "character" is based on a real person who was housed here. Artillery and 19th century lifestyle demonstrations are conducted throughout the day. Vistors can walk through the fort, including the officers quarters, mess hall, kitchens and cannon turrets.
As you can imagine, there is much suspected paranormal activity on the island. Ghost Hunters and even Britain's Most Haunted have done specials on the fort.
The year the "Fort" was constructed or started.: 1817
Name of "Country" or "Nation" that constructed this "Fort": United States
Was this "Fort" involved in any armed conflicts?: No it wasn't
What was the primary purpose of this "Historic Fort"?: Used for defence of a border or land claim.
Current condition: Much restoration, even ongoing
This site is administered by ----: Fort Delaware State Park
If admission is charged -: 11.00 (listed in local currency)
Open to the public?: Restricted hours -Admission charged
Official or advertised web-page: [Web Link]
Link if this "Fort" is registered on your Countries/ State "Registry of Historical Sites or Buildi: [Web Link]
Link to web-site that best describes this "Historic Fort": Not listed
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