Turtle Gut Inlet

Turtle Gut Inlet. . , The island that now makes up the Wildwoods was once two islands. Turtle Gut Inlet separated the two. Turtle Gut was filled in artificially in 1922 to make one big island.

The waters around Cape May and the Wildwoods were of great importance to the Revolutionary War because they are the opening of Delaware Bay. In 1776 Philadelphia served as our capital and the only way by water was thru Delaware Bay. Ships were the main method of transporting goods.

To prevent the Americans from receiving war supplies thru the port of Philadelphia, the British Navy established a blockade of the Delaware Bay with their many ships.

In early June, the Brigantine Nancy, loaded with supplies. 386 barrels of gunpowder, 50 fire locks, 101 hogsheads of rum, 62 hogsheads of sugar and set sail for Philadelphia.

The future "Father of the Navy" Captain John Barry was alerted that the Nancy was headed his way and would need protection since she only had a eleven man crew and six cannons. Hardley a match for the British Orpheus's 32 guns and the Kingfisher's 16 guns.

Barry received a flag code from Nancy that she needed help. Barry in turn signaled the Reprisal and Wasp. Longboats from all three set out to aid Nancy.

In early hours of June 29 blocked from entering Delaware Bay, the Nancy headed for Turtle Gut Inlet under a heavy fog. The British lost sight of her. When the fog lifted, the British closed in to attack the Nancy. The Nancy Captain, Hugh Montgomery, decided it was best to run the ship into the shore line of Turtle Gut Inlet. It would give them distance from the British and allow the crew to carry supplies to the shore.

The Longboats from the three American vessels came to their aid. Under heavy fire from the British, they unloaded Two thirds of the supplies ashore. Unable to hold out against the British cannons, Captain Montgomery had the crew abandon ship. He then improvised a fuse by wrapping gunpowder in one of the sails. The fuse led to the the remaining supply of gunpowder. It was lit as men abandon the Nancy.

The British unaware that a fuse was set, boarded the ship as the Nancy exploded killing 30-40 men.

The Americans lost one man. Lt. Richard Wickes, who is buried at Cold Spring Cemetery.

The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet took place fifteen months after the first battle of the Revolutionary War. It was the only battle fought in Cape May County.