"Damn the Torpedos" Historic Fort Gaines - Dauphin Island AL



Historic Fort Gaines



Fort Gaines is home to the famous phrase "Damn the torpedos full speed ahead!" Fort Gaines is located on Dauphin Island off the coast of Mobile Alabama. This fort has weathered many storms and now stands has a historical landmark, a gateway to the past. Built in 1821, this fort is a landmark and best know for it's role in the Battle of Mobile Bay. Visitors can see not only the fort but also the USS Hartford which is where the famous line from above was said. The fort has the original cannons that were used during the war on display.

                Fort Gaines is a landmark not to be missed and one that could soon be gone. In March 2009 the Cival War Preservation Trust placed this site on the "History Under Seige" list, this list is for the ten most endangered Civil War battlefields in the country. With the many storms that the fort as weathered it has sustained many damages and with the fort itself sitting only a short distance away from the Gulf then with weather that continues to erode the beach, the fear is that one day this historic site will be lost forever. If you do get the great chance to see this site then you will no doubt be amazed. Many of the walls and brick are still the original that was laid over a hundred years ago. While some of the fort that has been damaged has been repaired or perhaps turned into a model of what it would have looked like years agos when the fort was still in use. Please be advised that many of the tunnels are quite low, and there are some areas that you will not be able to see unless you bring a flashlight. There are also many areas that have an "enter at your own risk" sign on them. These are just small portions of the fort and one can still enjoy it even if they don't want to deal with these areas.

Dolphins in Mobile Bay, as seen from the ferry

If you want to get to the historic fort there are only two ways. The first is to drive across the bridge that comes from Mobile. The second however is the more unique and scenic way. If you go to Fort Morgan that is near Gulf Shores there is a ferry and you can take the ferry, you can either walk on or take or car. If you take a car they will make you pay by the car otherwise it's per person. Then the ferry will take you across the bay to Dauphin Island where you can visit the fort. If you take the ferry you will have the change of seeing Mobile Bay's sealife swimming around. Dolphins can often be seen from the ferry boats and can sometimes even get close to the ferry. If you are lucky enough to be able to see these creatures in their natural habitat then it is something you will never forget. You can then take the ferry back to Fort Morgan. They have a strict running time so make sure that you check on it before you head out.

Fort Gaines is located at

251/861-6992
51 Bienville Boulevard
Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528

The ferry's website

http://www.mobilebayferry.com/schedule.html