Fort Mifflin Road
Philadelphia, PA 19153

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The Chevaux-de-frise

To impede vessels from sailing upstream or impale them as they progressed, stockades called chevaux-de-frise: crates with iron tipped stakes and massive timbers with metal spikes were desigend to be floated and then sunk across the river's main channel in a line reaching from Fort Mifflin to Fort Mercer.

These river obstructions were placed at several key defensive locations in the Delaware River. In addition to being used at Fort Mifflin, the chevaux-de-frise was also implemented further south at Billingsport. Also adding to the defense of the Delaware was the Pennsylvania Navy under the command of Commodore John Hazlewood. The combined effort of Fort Mifflin, Fort Mercer, the gunboats of the Pennsylvania Navy and the blockade of the chevaux-de-frise proved to be a formidable defense against a superior British Navy.