Picture of the day - June 4, 2007

The Wilmington, NC Waterfront

Photo courtesy of Michael G. Warren Photography. Today's picture features the waterfront area of one of America's great historic cities: Wilmington, North Carolina. Wilmington is a special place where the charm and history of the old south meets international commerce. At the dawn of the Civil War, the Confederates realized that it would be virtually impossible to ultimately win the war if Union forces successfully blockaded Wilmington's dual shipping channels leading from the Cape Fear river to the sea. To prevent that from happening, they built Fort Fisher along with several smaller forts to protect the ships that dared to run the blockades. Against heavy odds, Confederate forces managed to keep the ports open for most of the war ensuring steady deliveries of supplies from nations friendly to the south. But in January 1865, the Union navy went for broke and staged a massive bombardment of Fort Fisher, followed up quickly with an all-out assault. The confederates put up an intense and valiant defense, but the fort fell nonetheless. A few weeks later Wilmington was captured as well. The rest, as they say, is history. Just a few months after the fall of Wilmington, General Lee found himself surrendering to Grant at Appomattox, Virginia. Today, Wilmington is one of the country's busiest sea ports with thousands of shipments coming into and departing from her docks every year. If you live on the east coast and buy a product made overseas, chances are it entered the country at Wilmington! About the photo: Photographer Michael G. Warren took today's picture of a sailboat docked on the Cape Fear river in Wilmington, NC. Here is his story behind the image: "This photo was taken while on a business trip to Wilmington, NC. The final event of the day was a two hour boat trip down the Cape Fear River on an old steam engine boat. I saw this old, but in mint condition sail boat and I was just drawn to it. If I remember correctly the shot was taken at 6:00 PM with lowering sunlight which caused a lot of shadows, but the photo turned out good I think." Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"