Fort Gaines (Dauphin Island, Alabama)

USA / Alabama / Dauphin Island / Dauphin Island, Alabama
 military, place with historical importance, fortification, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, American Civil War 1861-1865
Fort Gaines was begun in 1846 on Dauphin Island as part of the Third-System of coastal fortifications.

As of 1851, it was intended to be armed with twenty-five 32-pounder guns, five 18-pounder guns, five 12-pounder guns, three field pieces, twenty flank howitzers, twenty 8" heavy seacoast howizters, one 10" heavy mortar, two light 10" mortars, two light 8" mortars, one 16" stone mortar and five coehorn mortars for a total of 89 guns.

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One of two masonry forts that protected Mobile Bay. Admiral Farragut's fleet was able to enter Mobile Bay and defeat the Confederate naval squadron, thus cutting off the forts from supply and reinforcement. Both forts were taken by Union troops landed after the naval battle.

Fort Gaines was a twin of Fort Clinch in Florida, but Clinch had a Carnot's wall.

The fort is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), but is also considered one of "America's Most Endangered Places" by the National Trust for Historical Preservation, as a result of erosion and other damage sustained from hurricanes and tropical storms.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Gaines_(Alabama)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   30°14'54"N   88°4'32"W

Comments

  • I have been here. Also, when MTV had that show called "Fear" this was one of the ghostly locations that these kids were sent to. I got to tour every aspect of this place and I must say that it was very creepy, especially in one of the tunnels where the roof had caved in on some people. Talk about feeling watched.
This article was last modified 8 years ago