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Basaic Says: The entrance into the interior of the fort is gained through a doorway called a Sally Port. Sally Ports frequently have intricate designs that set them apart from the utilitarian design of the fort itself. The date the fort is commissioned is usually placed over the Sally...
Basaic Says: Across from the entrance to the fort is a nice museum with several displays showing the history of the fort and the area.
Basaic Says: Around the fort are displays showing the different types of canons and guns used through the years at the fort.
Basaic Says: This is where they would observe the mined area of the bay and set them off when enemy ships approached.
Basaic Says: This battery was built in 1899 and house two 4.7 inch quick-fire guns. The battery overlooked the part of the bay where mines were usually emplaced and prevented mine-sweeping ships from clearing the mines.
Basaic Says: The building in the right foreground is the hothouse furnace. The cannonballs were heated in here until they were red hot. This meant that when they hit wooden ships they not only damaged the ship but set them on fire. This practice discontinued when metal ships were built.
Basaic Says: This battery got its name because there used to be a lighthouse mounted in the center. This emplacement was built in 1843.
Basaic Says: These flank casements are placed so that a heavy concentration of fire can be brought on any enemy soldiers attempting to cross the ditch and gain entrance to the fort.
Basaic Says: These gun emplacements are mounted on what is called a bastion. A bastion is a projecting corner of a fort shaped to allow more gun emplacements and a heavier concentration of fire.
Basaic Says: This concrete gun emplacement was installed during the upgrades between 1898 and 1899. It housed two 12-inch, breech-loading "disappearing Rifles". The gun used 268 pounds of explosive to fire a 1046-pound shell 8 1/2 miles.
Basaic Says: This is all that remains of the ten sided barracks known as the Citadel, which was destroyed during the siege in 1864.
Basaic Says: These rooms stored the large amounts of black powder required by the fort. The fort had two magazines originally but a third was added in 1870. In 1864 the fort had 60,000 pounds of black powder stored here.
Basaic Says: These arched rooms were to protect the gun positions but there were rarely any canon mounted here. They were mainly used for the storage of food and other supplies.
Basaic Says: Fort Morgan had what was called a dry moat but it served the same purpose as a regular moat; making it more difficult for the enemy to gain access to the inside of the fort. There were firing positions built into the bastions from where the soldiers could fire on any enemy...
Basaic Says: The cleared ground sloping up to the fort walls is called a Glacis. It helped protect the fort, and its occupants, from gunfire. You will normally see seven flags on display near the entrance representing the groups that controlled the area: France, Great Britain, Spain, the...
Helpfulness
There is a ferry that operates between Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island on the other side of the bay. When we visited Fort Morgan, it was not yet back in operation after the hurricanes of 2005, although the pier looked like it had been reconstructed. The ferry was running when we visited Dauphin Island in March. It seemed like the ferry would have to dodge the offshore oil platforms. There was a small area with soft drink machines, and I think there was also a bathroom somewhere near the dock.
State Highway 59 (running North and South) in Gulf Shores intersects with State Road 182, he which runs to the West. The common name is West Fort Morgan Road. From this intersection to the end of the Fort Morgan peninsula and the ferry landing is approx. 25 miles. The landing is located on the Fort Morgan Historic site. Note: State Road 59 may be accessed from I-10 at Exit 44, proceed South thru Loxley, AL., to Gulf Shore
One Way Ticket Prices (note - no plastic - only cash)
Autos, Pickup Trucks & Vans with one driver $14.00
Motor Homes with one driver $29.00
Motorcycles with one rider $ 6.00
* Each additional passenger per vehicles $ 4.00
*All trailers or boats, add $10.00
* Children under 12 Free
Round Trip Tickets Auto $25.00
Motor homes $50.00
Pedestrian Charges - Walkon Adults $ 5.00
Updated Jun 18, 2006
Phone: (251) 861-3000
Website: http://mobilebayferry.com/
Helpfulness
The Gulf Island National Seashore (which includes Fort Pickens, and Fort Barrancas rules for visiting Historic Forts
"Climbing is unsafe and may damage historic artifacts that cannot be replaced. Please keep off mounds and the cannon at the forts. Watch your step. Many surfaces are uneven and some areas of the forts are slippery and damp especially in the rain. Some of the stairways have no handrails, so stay close to the wall when climbing the stairs. There are no electric lights in some areas. They may be dark and dangerous... "
But while Bob was still reading the signs in the museum, I went out and saw a family all climbing on a big cannon for a picture. There were no signs prohibiting this although there are in most of the federal parks like Fort Sumter.
Fort Vancouver NP has the following rules:
· Do not allow children to climb on the cannons... Serious injury has resulted.
· Accompany children to the Bastion. Its upper levels are a dangerous place for horse-play.
· Do not allow running at the Fort. The ground is uneven and hard objects protrude from the surface
Fort McHenry warns teachers to take groups:
High walls, numerous cannon, and sloped, unmowed earthworks are potentially dangerous if climbed on.
Chaperones and leaders are reminded to stay with their groups at all times and enforce safety rules.
While visiting the Star Fort, please keep your groups on the brick walkways and please observe the following safety regulations:
• No climbing on cannons, walls, and earthworks
• No horseplay and running in and around the fort
• No jumping off walls
Thank you for your help in protecting the park and yourself.
Fort Stanwix NM
Visitation Rules
1. Please do not run in the fort because it is easy to fall and get hurt.
2. Please do not sit or climb on the cannons. They are periodically fired, and we need your help to keep them in good shape.
3. Splinters aren't good souvenirs to take home with you. Please avoid rubbing your hands on the wooden barracks.
Updated Aug 27, 2006
Website: http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm
Helpfulness
Park on the Gulf of Mexico access road, turning left at the first gatehouse. Walk across HWY 180 and onto the Fort wall back to Mobile Bay. It is a spectacular view, and usually deserted.
Written Apr 27, 2006
Basaic Says: Fort Morgan was established in 1834 at the mouth of Mobile Bay. The fort was named for Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan. Many regard Fort Morgan as one of the "finest examples of military architecture in the New World." Fort Morgan is at the tip of Mobile Point at the...
grandmaR Says: In the dense fog, it was almost like you are looking back through the mists of time to when Admiral Farragut was steaming into Mobile Bay with his warships.When the fog lifted a little bit, the setting sun bathed everything in a golden light (last two pictures)....
Fort Morgan was established in 1834 at the mouth of Mobile Bay. The fort was named for Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan. Many regard Fort Morgan as one of the "finest examples of military...
Fort Morgan is an old Civil War era fort at the Eastern entrance to Mobile Bay.
Build your own Fort Morgan page
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