Fort Gaines
photo by Edibobb
Fort Gaines
Fort Gaines is an historic fort on Dauphin Island, Alabama. It is best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War.
Exhibits include the huge anchor from the USS Hartford, Admiral David Farragut’s flagship on which he gave his world famous command, “Damn the torpedoes – full speed ahead!”
The fort also has the original cannons used in the battle, five pre-Civil War brick buildings in the interior courtyard, operational blacksmith shop and kitchens, tunnel systems to the fortified corner bastions, and similar features. A museum details the history of this period, as well as the French colonial presence beginning in the late 17th century.
The fort was partially modernized for the Spanish-American War. It is a tourist destination with tours and historical reenactment events. The site is considered to be one of the nation’s best-preserved Civil War era masonry forts and has been nominated for listing as a National Historic Landmark.