Cape Fear (headland) facts for kids
Cape Fear is a well-known piece of land that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. It's located on Bald Head Island along the coast of North Carolina in the southeastern United States. This area is mostly made up of sandy beaches and the mud carried by the Cape Fear River. The river flows into the ocean through an estuary (where a river meets the sea) south of Wilmington.
Cape Fear gets its shape from two curved lines of shifting, low-lying beaches. These are created by longshore currents, which are ocean currents that move sand along the coast. These same currents also form the dangerous, changing sandbanks known as the Frying Pan Shoals. This area is part of the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" because many ships have wrecked there over time.
Along the beaches, you'll find sand dunes. These dunes are mostly covered by plants like sea oats. Further back from the water, these plants mix with other grasses such as saltmeadow cordgrass and panic grass. You can also see seaside goldenrod, spurge, and other small plants. Together, they form a strong, salt-tolerant grassland that helps keep the dunes stable.
The Cape Fear estuary is where the Cape Fear River meets the ocean. This river system drains the largest watershed in North Carolina. A watershed is all the land where water drains into a specific river or body of water. About 27% of North Carolina's population lives in this watershed.
Contents
Exploring the History of Cape Fear
Early Explorers and the Name
The Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano was sailing for France when he arrived at or near Cape Fear. This happened on March 1, 1524, after he crossed the Atlantic Ocean.
The name "Cape Fear" comes from an expedition in 1585 led by Sir Richard Grenville. His ship was sailing to Roanoke Island when it got stuck behind the cape. Some of his crew members were worried their ship would crash, and that fear gave the cape its name. It is one of the five oldest English place names still used in the U.S. today.
Cape Fear During the Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary War, British General Sir Henry Clinton landed at Cape Fear. This important event took place on May 3, 1775.
Cape Fear in Movies
The 1962 film Cape Fear and its 1991 remake were set in the Cape Fear area. However, neither movie was actually filmed there.
