The War of 1812

The War of 18 12. Lewes Maritime History Trail. , During the War of 18 12, British vessels blockaded the mouth of Delaware Bay in an effort to disrupt shipping patterns and supply lines and cause economic hardship in the Mid-Atlantic. But when crews attempted to land at Lewes to replenish their ships, they were repelled by companies of well-organized local militia. The British commander tried to negotiate for supplies, but that too failed. Finally the commander warned Lewes officials that "whatever sufferings may fall upon the inhabitants of Lewes may be attributed to yourselves …" , On April 6-8, 1813, Lewes sustained heavy cannon fire from the British ships and was bombarded by Congreve rockets, the first use of this new technology against the Americans. Contrary to claims in a famous political rhyme that "the commander and all his men shot a dog and a hen," personal letters from that era record that damage from the intense 22-hour bombardment was extensive. , Nevertheless, manning a sizable fortifcation that stretched from this site westerly along the canal, local volunteer soldiers prevented the British from advancing here but did not stop their progress elsewhere. The fort in Lewes closed in 1815, immediately after the war.