Abstract:
Immigrants settled Wilmington in 1730 and called it New Liverpool or Newton. In 1739 the city was incorporated and officially named Wilmington. Situated on a fresh-water harbor and near the Cape Fear River, Wilmington's maritime industry was always at the forefront. Shipbuilding and maritime trade accounted for the city's historic prosperity. Historically, ships from Wilmington engaged in naval encounters and privateering during the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War.