The Pennsylvania Navy Part 2 (Ep22)

In the previous episode, we described how the Pennsylvania Assembly’s Committee on Safety established the Pennsylvania Navy, developed three forts along the Delaware River, and installed a series of underwater hazards to big ships sailing up the Delaware. These were all meant to defend Philadelphia from the powerful British Navy. It worked until the British Army sidestepped the River defenses in their efforts to reach Philadelphia. They landed at the top of Chesapeake Bay in Elk Head, Maryland, and marched the 50 miles north to win the Battle of Brandywine Creek and occupy the American capital. The forts and navy positioned south of the City suddenly found themselves with a very different objective. If the forts could be held, and the Pennsylvania navy and its line of underwater spikes – known as chevaux de frise – could be maintained, then the British Navy would be unable to resupply General Howe and the British troops in Philadelphia. The Brits would be starved out and forced to evacuate the City. The patriots just had to hang onto the choke point they had created until the Delaware River froze in winter. Both sides were frantic to beat the calendar. The British tried to seize the forts, destroy the Pennsylvania Navy, and remove the underwater spikes. The Americans tried to stop them. In this episode, the British and Americans square off in two major Revolutionary War clashes – the Battle of Fort Mercer (also known as the Battle of Red Bank), and the Battle of Fort Mud Island (today known as the Battle of Fort Mifflin). By the end of both, one side is clearly victorious. Timestamps for major events/discussions: [03:22] – The Hessians march on Fort Mercer [07:56] – The attack on Fort Mercer begins [10:21] – The British retreat [11:58] – General Howe resigns his commission [13:13] – The HMS Augusta and Merlin are lost [19:07] – The attack on Fort Mud Island begins [25:46] – Evacuation of Fort Mud Island [31:16] – The fall of Fort Mercer [33:00] – The fate of Fort Mud Island (Fort Mifflin) [34:36] – Places to visit [36:09] – Books to read Books to read: • Fighting for Philadelphia: Forts Mercer and Mifflin, the Battle of Whitemarsh, and the Road to Valley Forge, October 5, 1777 - December 19, 1777 by Michael C. Harris, Savas Beatie LLC, 2025 • The Pennsylvania Navy, 1775-1781, the Defense of the Delaware by John W. Jackson, Rutgers University Press, 1974 – which is sadly out of print • Robert Morris: Financier of the Revolution by Charles Rappleye, Simon & Schuster, 2010 Places to visit mentioned in this episode: • Fort Mifflin (the renamed Fort Mud Island) – a terrific Revolutionary War and early American historical site, located in the City of Philadelphia, right off the grounds of Philadelphia International Airport. • Remnants of Fort Mercer -- visit Red Bank Battlefield Park, where the fort once stood and where, as the name indicates, the battle of Red Bank was fought. The park is owned by Gloucester County, New Jersey. Note: dogs are not allowed in this park. Calls to action: • Follow us on Instagram to learn when new episodes drop or to be a part of our chat community IG: pennsylmaniapod • Join our email list to receive news on the podcast by emailing us at producer@pennsylmania.com or signing up at our website • Provide feedback on this episode, or give us ideas for new episodes, by emailing us at producer@pennsylmania.com Link to website: www.pennsylmania.com