After the British learned of the opening from a local resident they successfully passed through the barrier several times. The British successfully captured both forts in the Battle of Fort Washington on November 16, 1776, and Battle of Fort Lee on November 20, putting the defensive barrier in their hands. A change which did not have as dramatic an impact as that may suggest, as the nascent American Navy lacked ships of the size and power of the British, leaving it to resort to small and more maneuverable vessels regardless.