Lewes Historic District in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

REPLACED

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The Bombardment of Lewes

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, May 14, 2009

1. The Bombardment of Lewes Marker

Inscription. In March of 1813, the Royal Navy established a blockade of the Delaware Bay and River. The British squadron, under the command of Commodore John P. Beresford, RN, took up stations off Lewes and the Delaware Capes, and began to conduct raids along the coast in and effort to disrupt maritime commerce and shipping. Many small actions resulted with numerous vessels being captured and destroyed. On this location was one of two fortifications that were built to protect the town of Lewes. These earthworks mounted several cannon, and were manned by militia under the command of Colonel Samuel Boyer Davis. After Delaware authorities refused a demand to provide supplies, the British ships took up bombardment positions off the town. From April 6th into the 7th, Lewes was shelled for twenty-two hours, with the British firing as many as 800 projectiles into the town. This was the first use of the Congreve rocket against the Americans during the War of 1812. Naval fire was successful in striking and damaging the fortifications and many buildings in town. Although short of ammunition, the American batteries were able to effectively reply

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and cause damage to enemy vessels. On April 7th the British withdrew to more distant positions. They continued to maintain the blockade until 1815.

Erected 2003 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-167.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1813.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 46.558′ N, 75° 8.34′ W. Marker was in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It was in the Lewes Historic District. It was on Front Street (Delaware Route 267) 0.1 miles Savannah Road (U.S. 9). Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on Delaware’s Beaches.

It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the

The Bombardment of Lewes Marker as seen on Front Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2010

2. The Bombardment of Lewes Marker as seen on Front Street

Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named The Bombardment of Lewes (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Bombardment of Lewes (a few steps from this marker); The War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); Otis H. Smith City Dock (a few steps from this marker); The Cannonball House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Cannonball House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Explorations of Giovanni da Verrazzano (within shouting distance of this marker); Last Lewes Pilot Skiff (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker. The new marker was erected in 2023 and has a different inscription.

Also see . . . Lewes Historical Society. (Submitted on May 24, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

The Bombardment of Lewes Marker - in shadow under tree, center right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, May 14, 2009

3. The Bombardment of Lewes Marker - in shadow under tree, center right

- view from across Front Street.

The Bombardment of Lewes Marker, at right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2010

4. The Bombardment of Lewes Marker, at right

Period cannon in "1812 Park" - U.S. Post Office in background across Front St.. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, May 14, 2009

5. Period cannon in "1812 Park" - U.S. Post Office in background across Front St..

Cannon on display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2010

6. Cannon on display

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,202 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 6. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.