Amazing Facts about Charleston Harbor

The Charleston Harbor is an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, located in South Carolina. The Estuary is formed by the junction of Cooper and Ashley rivers. Sullivan and Morris’ islands shelter the entrance. Charleston Harbor creates parts of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Charleston is famous for its amazing historic architecture and also home to a spectacular harbor. The harbor attracted settler’s attention to relocate from Charles Towne Landing to White Point Garden. In 1682, the colony announced the harbor as the colony’s port of entry.

Charleston Harbor History

Charleston Harbor is home to Fort Sumter, Confederate forces fired the Civil war’s first shots on Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor in 1861 during the Civil War.

The First Battle of Charleston Harbor occurred near Charleston, South Carolina that took place on April 7, 1863, during the Civil war. The ship, under the leadership of Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, was attacked at the entrance of Harbor. 

The harbor was the place of the first successful attack in history on February 17, 1864. The H.L Henley made a fearless attack in the night on the USS Housatonic during the American Civil war.

The 12-foot natural depth of the harbor was the main reason for the construction and growth of Charleston. The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1852 allowed the federal government to dredge the channels of the Charleston harbor to a depth of 17 feet. The work was interrupted by the civil war and failed to complete until the war’s end. The Charleston harbor jetties were constructed at the entrance between 1878 and 1886.

Charleston Harbor Facts

At present, the harbor is dredged to a depth of 45 feet. The new plan to deepen the harbor’s channels to 52 feet to permit the entrance of post-Panamax ships started in 2015 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The harbor plays a vital role in the economy of South Carolina along with the State Ports Authority operating five public terminals.

The Charleston harbor is one of the most productive ports in the US. Shipping remains one of Charleston’s top industries.

The harbor became a famous recreational site, with yacht clubs, marinas, the South Carolina Aquarium, and the annual Charleston Maritime.