January 13, 2022

FORT GAINES

51 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528

“Fort Gaines is a historic fort on Dauphin Island, Alabama, United States. It was named for Edmund Pendleton Gaines. Established in 1821, it is best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War.” Wikipedia

This well-preserved fort was built between 1819 and 1853 by the government to defend the new territory of Alabama. It was here that Admiral Farragut of the Union Navy supposedly said, “Damn the torpedos! Full speed ahead!” After Farragut and his ships forced their way into Mobile Bay, Union soldiers laid siege to Gort Gaines, which surrendered on August 8, 1864.

In 1898, as a result of the Spanish-American conflict, the fort was modified and concrete gun mounts and ammuniton magazines were added. The fort was also used in both WWI and WWII, mainly as camp and/or training sites. The U.S. government sold the fort in 1926 and has been deeded to the Daupin Island Park and Beach Board.

I found Fort Gaines to be better preserved and had more accessible areas than other Civil War era forts I’ve visited. I found the one gun bastion that has been preserved in its original condition fascinating with the brick work creating a water collecting system and steps down to the ammunition room and tunnel system. I enjoyed being able to explore the different rooms/buildings, and especially found the outdoor kitchen and the latrine to be interesting.

The fort is designated as one of the Eleven Most Endangered Histoic Sites in America due to on-going shoreline erosion. I sincerely hope measures can be taken so we do not lose this historical treasure.