Province and Carpenter's Island

The Province and Carpenter's Islands, located near Philadelphia, were pivotal sites during the siege of Fort Mifflin in October 1777. Capt. John Montresor and his British troops began constructing artillery batteries on these islands on October 7, 1777, to attack the fort. Visitors can explore these historic locations, which played a crucial role in the British strategy to gain control of the Delaware River. The construction of these batteries was met with fierce resistance from American forces, who attempted to disrupt the British efforts with bombardments from Comm. John Hazelwood’s vessels and land-based attacks on October 11 and 12. Despite these efforts, the British successfully completed the batteries, continuing the siege of Samuel Smith's forces at Fort Mifflin.

The significance of Province and Carpenter's Islands is highlighted by their strategic importance in the broader context of the Revolutionary War. The British occupation of Philadelphia on September 26, 1777, was undermined by their inability to control the Delaware River, which was essential for supplying their troops and Loyalists in the city. The longer the American forces could hold the river, the less effective the British occupation of Philadelphia became. The successful construction of the artillery batteries on these islands ultimately allowed the British to wrest control of the fort and the river from the Americans, marking a turning point in the siege. Visitors to the area can follow the Delaware River Heritage Trail to gain a deeper understanding of the movements and strategies employed by both sides during this critical period.