Snow's Cut, Cape Fear Are Great for Flounder

From Carolina Sportsman site.

The waters of the Lower Cape Fear River and Snow's Cut are great for catching flounder, especially large flounder.  Indeed the state record for this fish, twenty pounds, was caight here in 1980.  However, flounder fishing isn't as good as it once was, but you can still catch ten pounders and heavier.

Snow's Cut is a manmade  channel that carries the Intercoastal Waterway from Carolina Beach to the Cape Fear River.  Named for Major William A. Snow, project manager for the U.S. Corps of Engineers for the initial dredging, it is about 1.75 miles long and originally dredged to 120 feet wide and  12 feet deep.

Many locals opposed its construction because of the introduction of more salt seawater through Carolina Beach Inlet into the Cape Fear River ten miles inland, the project was apprived and completed.  It killed many of the cypress trees lining the river banks.

--Cooter

About William A. Snow (Snow's Cut)-- Part 3: How It Came to be Named That

Following the war, Major Snowserved in the Army Corps of Engineers in Kansas after which he obtained a BS in Civil Engineering at M.I.T..  For the next two years he was in Washington, D.C., as an assistant to the Chief Engineer in that district.

In July 1926, he was assigned to Wilmington, N.C., as the Chief Engineer of the Wilmington District.  he was 32 years old at the time.  His assignment was to complete the 93 miles continuation of the Intercoastal Waterway from Beaufort, N.C., to the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

There was only parcel of land to be cut in that stretch and that was what we now call Snow's Cut.  This would be to connect Masonboro Sound with the Cape Fear River.  

This cut was completed in 1920 and transformed Federal Point Peninsula into an island requiring a bridge to cross over.

The cut and bridge have been known ever since as Snow's Cut, named for the young Army Corps engineer.

--CooterCut

About Major William A. Snow (of Snow's Cut)-- Part 1: (How You Know You've Arrived at Carolina Beach, NC)

From the May 2017 Federal Point Historic Preservation Society Newsletter.

If you're driving on U.S. Highway 421 south of Wilmington, North Carolina, heading to the beaches on what is now referred to as Pleasure Island, you may notice crossing a pretty big bridge over some water.  That is the Snow's Cut Bridge.

That bridge always excited me growing up because that meant I got my first glimpse of the ocean and my favorite beach of all time, Carolina Beach.  The old heart started going pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat.  We have ARRIVED.  Hot Dog!!

Of course,  speaking of hot dogs, we already would have stopped at Paul's Place in Rocky Point for their famous hot dogs (with that sauce!!).  Just part of the going to the beach thing.

Well, that stretch of water that the bridge crosses has a name.  It is Snow's Cut.  It took its name from the man who engineered it, Major William A. Snow, a World War I veteran.  That water the bridge crossed is part of the Intercoastal Waterway and connects the Cape Fear River on the west side to sounds on the east side.

--Cooter

New Hanover County's Role in World War I-- Part 1

As I mentioned in the last post, I was able to attend the Federal Point Preservation Society's January meeting in Carolina Beach, N.C., at their History Center.

Dr. Jan Davidson of the Cape Fear Museum in Wilmington, N.C., gave the presentation "Service, Sacrifice & Memorialization: New Hanover County Residents in World War I."

The Society plans to have an exhibit at the museum for the 100th anniversary of World War I and plan to have it up by April.  The group was looking for someone to make a presentation on the war and couldn't have done any better as Dr. Davidson got her PhD on World War I.

Fort Caswell, by Southport, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, was actually an  military base in World War I.

There was a World War I Memorial honoring New Hanover High School students who fought in the war located in front of the high school which has now been moved to Wilmington's Riverfront.

--Cooter

Carolina Beach Declares Successful Summer Season in 1912

From the October 2, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Back Then."

SEPTEMBER 11, 1912:  "The season at Carolina Beach, which was one of the most successful in its history, formally closed on Sunday and the Harper line of steamers to this popular resort in a few days will go on their regular Winter schedule.

"With the gallant Capt. Harper still at the helm, Carolina Beach this year was even more popular than ever and the statistics of travel show that during the season 104,300 persons were handled between Wilmington and the beach and the beach and Wilmington."

The river steamer Continental was the primary mode of travel to Carolina Beach.  Passengers got off on the east bank of the Cape Fear River and a small train took them to Carolina Beach.  There were very few people living at the beach full time.

This was before roads were built to Carolina Beach so by far the fastest way there was via boat.

A Favorite Beach of My Family.  --Cooter

Wilmington Area in 1962: Planned Ferry at Fort Fisher and Full-Scale Military Maneuver

From the October 2, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Back Then."

SEPTEMBER 27, 1962:  A delegation from Southeastern North Carolina met with Governor Terry Sanford to ask his endorsement of a proposed Fort Fisher to Southport ferry. (It did come to pass and today is a great, scenic way to get from the Pleasure Island Peninsula across the Cape Fear River to Southport instead of going the fifty or so miles back to Wilmington to cross and then go to Southport.)

SEPTEMBER 11, 1964:  The Army Transportation Corps planned to land 1200 troops on Bald Head Island in a full-scale military maneuver.  Thirty-one vessels were used in the exercise which was headquartered at Sunny Point Army Ammunition Terminal.

Storming Ashore Like at Fort Fisher.  --Cooter

What is the Cape Fear (Besides the Name of a Movie)

From WECT Wilmingtonm, North Carolina.

The first mention of Cape Fear was about 400 years ago as being by the Lost Colony. John White, the head of the group, mentioned almost getting marooned on Frying Pan Shoals and he called it Cape Fear.

Also, one Edward Teach, better known as the pirate Blackbeard also called it that because of the dangers associated in sailing by it.

The name stuck.

From 1524 and for 140 years after that, it was called Rio Jordan because of Verrizzano and then the name changed with each new ruling country. It became the Charles River after English King Charles I, but renamed after Charleston started expanding. The name was then the Clarendon River.

When the Carolinas were split into North and South, it became the River of the Cape Fear in 1733 and later just the Cape Fear River.

So, Now You Know. --Cooter

The Cape Fear River in History

The first mention of Cape Fear, North Carolina rook place over 400years ago by Governor John White of the Roanoke Colony which later became the Lost Colony. Back then he was nearly marooned on the Frying Pan Shoals but was able to get off.

In 1524, the Cape Fear River was called Rio Jordan and continued with that name until Verrazzano came 140 years later.

After that, the name changed with each new ruler. It became the Charles River in honor of English King Charles II, but renamed the Clarendon River because of the expansion of Charleston to the south.

After North and South Carolina were split apart, it became the River of the Cape Fear in 1933, later changed to Cape Fear River.

In 1991, Robert DeNiro made a movie called "The Cape Fear."

What's in a Name. --Cooter

North Carolina's Fort Johnston

From the Historic Southport, North Carolina site by Dr. Michael D. Hogan.

I have already written about the fort, but will add some more information.

Today, only one structure remains of Fort Johnston.

At the start of the Revolution, British Royal Governor Martin fled here from New Bern and then to the British warship HMS Cruizer (or Cruzier). The colonists took the fort and millet stores and dismantled the cannons as they were in range of the British man-of-war.


From the March 27, 2010, Wilmington (NC) Star-News article by Amy Hotz.

Before there was a Southport, there was a Smithville, and before that, there was a Fort Johnston.

East Carolina University students have found artifacts at Fort Johnston's site dating back 260 years. In May, 2010, the Southport Branch of the North Carolina Maritime Museum moved to the fort. Improvements were made to the existing building as well as a new building and walkways.

A survey was needed, though because of the area's historical significance. "Shovel tests" every ten feet in a 30-by-30-foot area found brick and mortar, a lady's pin or broach, a Civil War bullet, bottle fragments and ceramic pieces. The earliest artifacts found at this test dated back to the early 1800s.

A Little-Known Historic Site. --Cooter

History of Fort Johnston, NC-- Part 3

On February 21, 1888, Fort Johnston was officially dropped as a seacoast defense. The only part of the fort remaining today appears to be the officers' quarters which has been used by a variety of groups from that time to today.

At one time, it was used by the US Army Corps of Engineers and later the US Surveying Corps.

During World War II it was a USO building.

In the 1950s, officers from the Air Rescue Unit stayed there and then it was transferred to Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal in 1955.

This year, the Southport Branch of the North Carolina Maritime Museum will move into it.

It is listed on the National register of Historic Places.

A Little-Known Fort. --Cooter

History of Fort Johnston, NC-- Part 2

Continuing with yesterday's post.

In 1754, soldiers at Fort Johnston were sent off the fight in the French and Indian War.

In 1759, men went off to fight the Cherokees.

When the Revolutionary War broke out, British Royal Governor Josiah Martin fled from New Bern to Fort Johnston and transferred the government there. A month later, he fled to a British ship and away from the colony. Patriots burned the fort.

After the war, the fort was abandoned and soon became overgrown with vines and bushes. However, president Washington and Congress created the First System of Fortifications and Fort Johnston was one. Money was spent for its rebuilding. In 1795, the first documented 4th of July celebration in the state took place there.

During the War of 1812, the garrison was increased but saw no action.

By 1836, it was mostly evacuated with troops going off to fight the Seminoles in Florida.

In 1838, Fort Johnston's military significance was reduced drastically with the construction of the larger and stronger Fort Xaswell by the Atlantic coast.

During the Mexican War, the fort served as a recruitment and training facility.

I wrote about its role in the Civil War in my August 18th Saw the Elephant Blog.

More to Come. --Cooter

The History of Fort Johnston, North Carolina-- Part 1

Fort Johnston is a fort located by Southport, NC, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River south of the city of Wilmington. It dates back to the colonial days. Last week, I wrote about it on my Civil War blog Saw the Elephant, http://sawtheelephant.blogspot.com.

From the May 10, 2010, MyReporter column in the Wilmington Star-News. Much of the information is gleaned from Wilson Angley's "A History of Fort Johnston on the Lower Cape Fear."

The fort was built by the colony as protection against Spanish attack. In 1744, North Carolina Royal Governor Gabriel Johnston (for whom the fort was named) ordered a fort to be constructed. However, work was progressing slowly and it was nowhere near completed when, on September 4, 1748, two Spanish privateers made their way up the Cape Fear and captured a sloop on tried to seize slaves working on the fort. They also looted Brunswick Town.

The fort was finally completed in 1749, but no longer needed for protection against the Spanish. Its new job was to prevent diseases from entering the colony and on foggy days, fired its cannons to warn ships.

More to Come. --DaCoot

USS North Carolina to Remain in Wilmington

After sitting in the Cape Fear River mud ever since the 1960s, the hull of the battleship USS North Carolina, my favorite all-time warship, is in really desperate need of repair.

The Battleship Commission had considered having the ship towed to either Norfolk, Virginia, or Charleston, SC, to be drydocked, which would have caused the ship to be gone for many months.

Now, they have decided to build a temporary cofferdam around the ship, pump the water out and do the repairs. Not only will the ship remain in place for the tourism, but this will result in s a savings of millions of dollars.

Great idea and at least Charlie the Alligator, the local resident of the basin, won't lose his home.

Glad to Hear It. --Cooter

A Night to Remember: The Sinking of the John D. Gill-- Part 2

The HMdb, Historical Marker Database had a Marker of the Week located in Southport, North Carolina. The article said that World War II markers in the US, other than memorials are rare because with few exceptions, the war didn't reach our shores.

But, there is a marker here for a Filipino mess boy and others who died in the 1942 sinking of a US Merchant Marine tanker off Fort Fisher and the Cape Fear River by a German U-boat.

The marker is dedicated to the memory of Catalino Tingzon who was on the tanker SS John D. Gill which was torpedoed and sunk off the Cape Fear by the U-158, March 12, 1942. The citizens of Southport cared for the survivors.

This article got me to researching more into the sinking.

More to Come. --Cooter