Robin's Blog for Dauphin Island

March 19th, 2009 5:49 PM

Historic Fort Gaines In Danger

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By Brian Atkinson


National Civil War Preservation Trust Includes Fort Gaines, Alabama on List of Nation’s Most Endangered Battlefields.. Historic Fort Gaines In Danger
Published: Wed, March 18, 2009 - 3:17 pm Last Updated: Wed, March 18, 2009 - 3:22 pm
(Dauphin Island, AL) – At a news conference this morning, the Dauphin Island Park & Beach Board revealed that the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) has included Fort Gaines among its top ten most endangered battlefields in its annual report on the status of the nation’s historic battlegrounds. The report, entitled History Under Siege: A Guide to America’s Most Endangered Civil War Battlefields, identifies the most threatened Civil War sites in the United States and what can be done to rescue them.

“During the Battle of Mobile Bay, Fort Gaines withstood a barrage of artillery from soldiers, cavalry, and naval vessels before surrendering,” said Mike Henderson, Director of the Dauphin Island Park & Beach Board. “Now, 144 years later, Historic Fort Gaines is under threat from an even mightier foe, the Gulf of Mexico. We hope that this designation from the Civil War Preservation Trust will help us preserve this jewel of history for the people of Alabama and the nation at large for years to come.”

According to the CWPT, Fort Gaines was included in the report because dredging practices in the Gulf of Mexico—the only human factor per a USGS report in 2007—have greatly increased the rate of erosion on Dauphin Island. More than 400 feet of historic coastline have already been lost, complicating the continued operation of the Fort Gaines Historic Site. The loss of established dune systems means that the Gulf could eventually bisect the island, stranding Fort Gaines and other culturally important areas.

“The inclusion of Historic Fort Gaines among the ten most endangered battlefields in the nation further illustrates the increasing erosion of Dauphin Island,” Mayor Jeff Collier said. “The Town is working on multiple avenues to stabilize its shoreline including the possibility of an engineered beach, which has proven successful for stabilizing neighboring beach areas in Alabama.”

“In town after town, irreplaceable battlefields that help to define those communities are being lost to development,” said CWPT president James Lighthizer at the report’s unveiling. “As we approach the Sesquicentennial of the bloodiest conflict in our nation’s history, we need to be more aware than ever of the importance of preserving these sacred places for generations to come.”

The Dauphin Island press conference coincided with an official announcement from the CWPT at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Joining Lighthizer at the news conference was Academy Award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss, an avid student of history. Reflecting on the importance of historic preservation, Dreyfuss said, “These hallowed battlegrounds should be national shrines, monuments to American valor, determination and courage. Once these irreplaceable treasures are gone, they’re gone forever.”

The history of Historic Fort Gaines is intertwined with one of the most important battles of the Civil War. In 1864, the entrance to the last major Confederate shipping harbor, Mobile Bay, was guarded by two fortressed batteries including Fort Gaines, on the eastern point of Dauphin Island, Alabama. Controlling Mobile Bay was crucial to ending Confederate resistance. Union Admiral David Farragut looked out over treacherous water mines—known then as torpedoes—littering the middle passage to the bay. When the lead boat, the ironclad USS Tecumseh, sank after striking a mine, panic and disorder overtook much of the fleet. To embolden his shaken forces, Farragut shouted the most famous command in maritime history, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

This is the first time that Fort Gaines has been included in History Under Siege. The report has been published annually since 2001.

The Civil War Preservation Trust is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promoting appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. History Under Siege is composed of two parts; one identifying the 10 most endangered battlefields in the nation, and a second section lists 15 additional “at risk” sites also facing serious threats. Sites discussed in the report range from the famous to the nearly forgotten, but at least part of each site is in danger of being lost forever. Battlefields were chosen based on geographic location, military significance, and the immediacy of current threats.

In addition to Fort Gaines, other sites profiled in History Under Siege include:

Cedar Creek, Virginia, Oct. 19, 1864: Preservationists continue fighting to overturn a recent zoning decision that opens 394 acres of critically important battlefield land in the Shenandoah Valley to an expanding limestone quarry.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1–3, 1863: Significant portions the battlefield lay outside the boundaries of the National Park, leaving them open for development. Preservationists are eager to protect one such area, but the high asking price puts it out of their reach.

Monocacy, Maryland, July 9, 1864: A trash incinerator proposed along the Monocacy River would be just a few hundred yards outside Monocacy National Battlefield. The plant’s 350-foot smokestack would dominate the skyline and be visible from much of the battlefield.

New Market Heights, Virginia, September 29, 1864: Although one of the war’s most significant engagements featuring African-American troops, New Market Heights has not yet seen any land purchased by preservation organizations. Portions of the battlefield have already been destroyed by a housing development and more development is encroaching.

Port Gibson, Mississippi, May 1, 1863: En route to his eventual capture of Vicksburg, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant famously called Port Gibson a town to beautiful to burn. A controversial proposal to widen Church Street through the heart of town would threaten historic neighborhoods.

Sabine Pass, Texas, September 8, 1863: During the war a handful of Confederate gunners at Sabine Pass turned back an entire Union fleet, but damage sustained by Hurricane Rita has kept the site closed to the public since 2005.

South Mountain, Maryland, September 14, 1862: Hopelessly outnumbered Confederates fought valiantly in three mountain passes, as Gen. Robert E. Lee launched his invasion of the North. Dominion Power proposes a natural gas compression station near Fox’s Gap.

Spring Hill, Tennessee, Nov. 29, 1864: General Motors is seeking to sell approximately 500 acres of unused land surrounding the battlefield. While some will form a buffer around Rippavilla Plantation, plans call for high-density development — apartments, a hotel, a theater, restaurants and retail and office space — on approximately 400 acres.

Wilderness, Virginia, May 5–6, 1864: Preservationists are trying to block Walmart from building a 138,000-square-foot supercenter just a quarter mile from the edge of the national park. If built, it would be the fifth Wal-Mart within a 20-mile radius and ensure further commercial development nearby.

Posted by Robin Linn on March 19th, 2009 5:49 PMPost a Comment (0)
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