Fort Fisher 150th Anniversary Commemorated

Even though Fort Fisher did not exist fifty years earlier at the conclusion of the War of 1812, there is a Wilmington connection to the war.

During the War of 1812, Wilmington was never attacked by the British, despite being the biggest city in North Carolina and a major port and being right near such a huge supply of naval stores which would be very important to the Royal Navy.

However, three Jeffersonian Gunboats were built near Wilmington.  One, Gunboat No. 166, was built at Smithville (now Southport), across the Cape Fear River from Fort Fisher and some twenty miles downriver from Wilmington.  It later operated in South Carolina and was named the Alligator.

Fort Johnston, at Smithville existed during the Civil War as well.

--Brock-Perry