Pea Patch Island facts for kids
Pea Patch Island in 1998 showing Fort Delaware
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 Pea Patch Island
Location in Delaware
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Delaware River |
| Coordinates | 39°35′23″N 75°34′16″W / 39.58972°N 75.57111°W |
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United States
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| State | Delaware |
| County | New Castle County |
Pea Patch Island is a small island in the Delaware River in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. The island is low and marshy. It sits in New Castle County, Delaware, facing Delaware City, Delaware and Finns Point in New Jersey. This island was once important for military defenses. Today, it is owned by the State of Delaware and is part of Fort Delaware State Park.
Contents
Island's Beginning and Name
Pea Patch Island first appeared as a mud bank in the Delaware River in the 1700s. There's a fun story about how it got its name. People say a ship carrying peas crashed on the island. The peas spilled out and started growing, giving the island its unique name.
Building Fort Delaware
The island's location in the river made it a good spot for defense.
Early Forts
In the 1790s, a planner named Pierre Charles L'Enfant suggested using the island. He thought it could help protect nearby cities like New Castle, Delaware and Philadelphia. During the War of 1812, workers built a seawall and dykes on the island. This was to prepare for building a fort.
By 1814, the island was ready for the first Fort Delaware. This fort was shaped like a five-pointed star. It was built between 1815 and 1824. Sadly, a fire destroyed this fort in 1831.
The Current Fort
Construction on a much larger fort began in 1836. However, work stopped for ten years because of a legal fight. Two states argued over who owned the island. Delaware eventually won the case.
Work on the current fort started again in 1848. This fort has an irregular pentagon shape. It was mostly finished by 1860.
Civil War Prison
During the American Civil War, Union forces used Fort Delaware. It became a camp for Confederate prisoners. Many prisoners from the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg were held there. Some prisoners and guards who died at the fort are buried nearby. Their graves are at Finns Point National Cemetery in New Jersey.
Modern Defenses
Around the year 1900, the fort was updated. A large battery was built inside the fort. It held three powerful 12-inch guns. Other parts of the island also got smaller guns.
On the shores near the island, two other forts were built. These were Fort DuPont and Fort Mott. They also had modern weapons. Plans were made to place underwater minefields in the river for extra protection.
During World War II, the defenses around Pea Patch Island were no longer needed. A new fort, Fort Miles, was built closer to the mouth of the Delaware River.
Island Expansion
In the early 1900s, the United States Army Corps of Engineers worked on the river. They dug a deeper channel around the island. They used the extra dirt to make the island bigger. This doubled the island's size on its northern end.
Visiting Pea Patch Island
Today, you can visit Pea Patch Island by ferry. Ferries leave from both the Delaware and New Jersey sides of the river.
Nature and Wildlife
Besides its historic fort, the island is a special place for nature. It is an important wetlands stop for migratory birds. These birds travel along the Atlantic Flyway. Pea Patch Island is home to the largest colony of herons in the U.S. north of Florida.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Pea Patch para niños
