Fort Delaware - Tour the Fort

Touring the Fort

Diary Entry of A.J. Hamilton,
July 1863
Union Artillery Soldier

"Fort Delaware is situated on a small and partly artificial island in the middle of the Delaware River just about the entrance of Delaware Bay.

It is distant from Philadelphia about 45 miles, from Baltimore about 50. The mouth of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal is exactly opposite to the Fort on the Delaware side. The surface of the island is about on a level with the river. At low tide, it is prevented from inundation by a strong dyke of stone and earth which is built entirely around it.

Immediately inside of the dyke is a broad ditch running parallel to it entirely around the island while numerous others are cut in different directions to prevent the occurrence of swamps. At high tide the island is capable of being submerged with at least six feet of water.

The Fort is a strong work of bricks and granite. It has five equal or nearly equal sides, the angles being rendered acute by strong bastions. It contains three stories or tiers of guns.
Each bastion is defended by two heavy (10-inch) guns in the lower tier. In the second tier each bastion has one heavy gun flanked by two smaller ones. The third or rampart tier of bastions is defended by three heavy guns.

The work has the capacity of mounting sixty-four barbette, sixty-six casemate and twenty-two bastion guns, in all, one hundred and fifty-two. She has now in position about one hundred twenty. The whole is surrounded by a strongly walled moat, fifty feet wide and fifteen feet deep.

The sally port is guarded by a heavy drawbridge. It is accessible from the opposite side by a small postern which will only allow two men to pass at a time."

How to Get Here?
Fort Delaware State Park is accessible by boat from Delaware City, Delaware. and from Fort Mott State Park in New Jersey. Private boats are prohibited from docking at the park.

From I-95 take Rte 1 South, exit 4A. Follow Rte. 1 South to Rte. 72, Delaware City exit. Follow Rte. 72/9 South to Delaware City and take a left turn at the traffic light on Clinton Street. You will see the boat dock on the right, at the end of Clinton Street.

To take the Three Forts Ferry from Fort Mott State Park, follow Rte. 49 South from I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike exit 1) to Fort Mott Rd. Turn right onto Fort Mott Rd. and follow signs for the Three Forts Ferry to Fort Mott State Park. Tickets and information are available at the visitors' center.

For a close-up map to Delaware City, click here.

For more information

www.destateparks.com/fdsp

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Three Forts Ferry
The Delaware River Bay Authority provides passenger ferry service to Fort Delaware State Park in Delaware City, Delaware, and Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville, New Jersey. Fort Dupont State Park is located just south of Delaware City on Rte. 9. It is not accessible by the ferry, but is open to the public for limited recreational activites.

From the dock at Delaware City, it takes approximately ten minutes to reach Fort Delaware State Park, and a half-hour to reach Fort Mott State Park. Once at Fort Delaware, a jitney provides transportation from the island dock to the granite and brick fortress. Here, authentically-clad historic interpreters begin your journey back to the summer of 1863.

Both the ferry and jitney are accessible to people with disabilities.

Adults	$11
Children 2-12	$6
Seniors (62+) and Active Duty Military (with ID)	$10

Three Forts Ferry rates include transportation to both Fort Delaware and Fort Mott State Parks

When is the Fort Open?
Fort Delaware State Park is open weekends and holidays from the last weekend in April through the last weekend in September. From mid-June to Labor day, the park is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Do I Need Reservations?
Only groups of 20 or more need to make reservations, call 302-834-7941 for more information. The Three Forts Ferry leaves the Delaware City Dock every hour, beginning at 10 a.m., with the last returning ferry leaving Fort Delaware State Park at 5pm. Tours are available upon arrival. Visitors are not permitted to spend the night at the Fort. For special events such as Garrison Weekend and special program packages, click here.

What Can I Expect to See?
Beginning with a pleasant boat ride from Delaware City, you will see Fort Delaware perched on Pea Patch Island just as the Rebel prisoners during the Civil War saw it. You will arrive at the dock and hop aboard a jitney that will take you up the long drive to the Sally Port or entrance of the Fort. You may spot some Island wildlife along the way, but the majesty of the Fort rises up from the ground where Union soldiers marched and drilled in the 1860's and captures your attention.

You will then disembark the jitney and cross the moat as you enter the Sally Port. A coolness will wash over you as you walk beneath the thick brick and granite walls. The parade ground awaits.The parade ground, surrounded by the walls of the Fort, reveal the Officers' Quarters, the Mail and Supply Clerk's offices, the Mess Hall and the staff offices. An orientation room just beyond the Sally Port offers an array of artifacts and a scale replica of the Island during its Civil War prison years. Pick up a schedule and choose from a number of exciting activities for the entire family!

Breath-taking river views and cool breezes coming off the river greet you as you climb to see the impressive artillery that still operates here! The massive 8 inch sea coast gun is fired daily by Fort Delaware's own Heavy Artillery troops!

Amenities:
The lower level of Fort Delaware is accessible to people with disabilities. Restrooms are available outside the Fort. Picnicking is permitted and grills are available for public use. Water and soda machines are available to visitors. A full-service gift shop is located inside the fort, and operated by the Fort Delaware Society. An additional gift shop is located at the Delaware City Ferry ticket office. Tickets for limited edition programs may be purchased at either gift shop.

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