GLOUCESTER CITY BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Sailing the 1777 Approaches to Fort Mifflin Aboard the Schooner North Wind
A guided cruise on the Delaware River that follows the route and sights encountered by Vice Admiral Lord Richard Howe during the November 1777 attempt to capture Fort Mifflin — essential context for visitors planning a historic visit to the fort.
Sailing the 1777 Approaches to Fort Mifflin Aboard the Schooner North Wind.
This cruise on the Delaware River recreates the views Vice Admiral Lord Richard Howe would have seen in November 1777 as British forces moved against Fort Mifflin. Running from Gloucester City and tied to a visit to the fort itself, the outing pairs on-water perspective with the living-history context of Fort Mifflin.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Revolutionary-Era Perspective
The cruise traces the same river approaches Admiral Howe’s squadron used in November 1777, letting passengers see Fort Mifflin and its river defenses from the water while connecting that landscape to the battle for control of the Delaware.
Sail on the Schooner North Wind
Passengers ride aboard the Schooner North Wind, a platform from which the historic sights on the Delaware are framed and read against the story of the 1777 campaign.
Views Near the Philadelphia Airport and Fort
The route moves through the stretch of the Delaware adjacent to Fort Mifflin and the approaches by the Philadelphia Airport, offering a sense of the strategic river corridor involved in the 1777 actions.
What the day feels like
What the Cruise Feels Like
The outing is a focused historical sail along the Delaware River: embarking with a visit to Fort Mifflin, then viewing the fort and river approaches from the deck of the Schooner North Wind to visualize the 1777 naval action led by Vice Admiral Lord Richard Howe.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this cruise suits — and an important participation note.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Admission to Fort Mifflin is required to participate on this cruise; secure fort admission before planning to board.
The cruise is run by Gloucester City Sail and sails aboard the Schooner North Wind.
The outing follows the Delaware River approaches around Fort Mifflin and through the river corridor by the Philadelphia Airport, providing the historical vantage points tied to the 1777 events.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Do I need admission to Fort Mifflin to join the cruise?
Yes. Admission to Fort Mifflin is required to participate on this cruise.
Which vessel is used for the cruise?
The cruise sails aboard the Schooner North Wind.
Who operates Fort Mifflin Sails?
The outing is operated by Gloucester City Sail.
Where does the cruise take place?
The cruise sails on the Delaware River in Gloucester City, New Jersey, with views of Fort Mifflin and the river approaches near the Philadelphia Airport.
What historical period does the cruise focus on?
The cruise focuses on the November 1777 actions when Vice Admiral Lord Richard Howe's squadron attempted to capture Fort Mifflin.
What will I see from the water?
Passengers view Fort Mifflin and the river approaches that were involved in the 1777 campaign.