Wilmington rose to fame as North Carolina's “Port City” because of its connection to the Cape Fear River as well as its bustling railroad system which extended for 161 miles, and which at one point, was the largest railroad system in the world.
Were there pirates in Wilmington NC?
A popular hideout for pirates and considered a safe place to careen their ships, some of the most infamous pirates sailed up the Cape Fear River just south of Wilmington.