Fort Billingsport
The lower line of river obstructions–see chevaux-de-frise–was guarded by a small fortification at Billingsport, New Jersey. This Fort was not defensible from land attack and was ultimately abandoned by the Americans when the British approached by land. This allowed the British Navy to remove some of the obstructions from that line and proceed further upriver towards Philadelphia, first to try unsuccessfully to join the attack on Fort Mercer–see Fort Mercer–Timeline–, and then to bombard Fort Mifflin–see Fort Mifflin Timeline. There is today a very pleasant small park, nestled between industrial sites, that commemorates the site of the Fort. A nice description of the park can be found here: https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/paulsboro_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm#paulsboro-fortbillingsport
This map shows the original plan of the fortification there and also the revised smaller plan, which apparently represents what was actually built:
Schenawolf, H., “Battle for the Delaware river in the American Revolution: Courageous Determination,” Revolutionary War Journal (October 14, 2020), https://www.revolutionarywarjournal.com/battle-for-the-delaware-river-in-the-american-revolution-courageous-determination/
There is no attempt to recreate the fortifications in the modern day park but, as can be seen on the first cited website, there are some small monuments to what occurred there, including one to the officers who were in charge of the evacuation of the Fort. The soldiers from the Fort were apparently taken to Fort Mifflin, where they were presumably subject to the horrific bombardment of that Fort that followed.
Today, the view from this small park shows that the river has been dredged to permit large vessels to pass and is also evidence that the Philadelphia area remains a port of significance. This is a picture of the park, taking in October 2021, and, in the background, a container ship passing downriver.
