Crosswicks Creek Site III facts for kids
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Crosswicks Creek Site III
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General area of the site in 2015
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| Location | Crosswicks Creek, Bordentown and Hamilton Township |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1778 |
| Architectural style | 18th century vessel |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001795 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 26, 1990 |
The Crosswicks Creek Site III is a special place in New Jersey. It holds the underwater remains of ships from the American Revolutionary War. These ships were sunk way back in 1778.
This important historical site is located near Bordentown and Hamilton Township. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 26, 1990. This means it's recognized for its importance in military and maritime history.
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The Crosswicks Creek Shipwrecks
What is the Crosswicks Creek Site III?
Imagine old wooden ships resting at the bottom of a creek! That's what the Crosswicks Creek Site III is. It's an archaeological site, which means it's a place where scientists study human history by looking at things left behind. Here, they study the remains of ships from the time when America fought for its freedom.
Ships from the Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary War, the American forces had many ships. These were called Continental ships. In 1777, the British Army took control of Philadelphia, a very important city. This trapped many American ships in the Delaware River and its nearby waterways.
Why Were the Ships Sunk?
In 1778, before the British left Philadelphia, they planned to destroy the American ships. These ships were hidden in different waterways, including Crosswicks Creek. To stop the British from capturing or using them, the American forces decided to sink their own ships. This act is called scuttling. Two of these scuttled ships were in Crosswicks Creek.
Finding the Sunken Ships
For many years, these sunken ships were hidden beneath the water. Then, in 1984, a team of historical archaeologists found them. They were doing a survey, which is like a careful search, and discovered the two shipwrecks. These discoveries helped us learn more about the Revolutionary War and the brave efforts of the American forces.
