The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-08-26

known as Fort Gaines The Swash chan
mel, which is the principal one by which
vessels of any size can enter the bay, runs
directly under the guns of Fort Morgan,
and it is by this.channel that nearly all
the blockade runners go in and out Of the
.harbor In strong breezes the sea on the
bar is so heavy that it is dangerous to al
tempt its crossing.
To aid inrthe defence Of the bav and
prevent the Union fleet from passing BY
the forts, chain of distractions have long
since been placed across the channels
They consist of a row Of long spiles driven
firmly into the mud. When the tide is at
fnll flood they cannot be seen, and only at
tons visible.
Spiles have also been driven into the
Dog river bar along the channel line, and
on either side of the entrance to the river
bearing tina. name, SO that it would be
difficult matter for vessel unaccompan-
led BY thoroughly versed pilot to reach
the city of Mobile, even if she ehoud sue
coed in passing the forts. A sloop laden
with stones rides at anchor at the entrance
of these distractions and at the first signs.
OF successful invasion on the part of an en-
envy would be scutted and sunk so as 10,
prevent vessels passing through the OBJ.
structioDs.
The entrance to Mobile Iay is between
Mobile Point and the eastern point Of
Dauphin Island, and the intervening dis-.
lance is about three and quarter miles.
The interior of the bay has depth of wa.
ter sufficient for any vessel that can cross
the bar. which has about fifteen fee. upon
it at low wafer. On account of bar
formed opposite the mouth of Dog river,
vessels drawing more than eight or nine
feet cannot, at low water, 60 further up
the bay.
The Bay Of Mobile is about thirty miles
in length from north to south, with an av-
erage width of from ten to twelve miles,
except where it expands on the southeast
into the subsidiary bay o. Bon Secours,
which extends some eight Or ten miles fur.
ther to the eastward. The bay, in add
ton TO the outlets elsewhere described,
has ore at Grants pass, north of Dauphin
Island, which communicates with Missiles
sippi Sound. Through this channel stea-
mers and other vessels of light draft for
mery passed when plying between Mo-
bile and New Orleans. The whole upper
portion Of the bay is shallow, and is supp
posed to be gradually filling with sedi-
mentary deposits from the rivers which
flow into it. Measures were in progress
in 1S60-'6l for opening a channel to the
city of Mobile for larger vessels than had
previously gone up there.
Strong lines Of intrenchmen,s have beer.
thrown up, encircling the city from near
Dog river around to the Alabama river,
and no less than twelve large Independent
works have been constructed in rear
of tho line Of intrenchments On Point
Pintos is a nine-gun battery commanding
the line of intrenchments, and one Of the
channels approaching the city. At Gar
rows Bend is fve-gnn battery, also COM
manding the distractions and the main
ship channel for distance OF nearly three
miles. The remaining earthworks in the
vicinity Of the city are intended more par.
ticaarly to repnlse a landing of troops on
the western shores, or land attack which
could be made at Portervile from the Mis-
sissippi Sound, marching thence up the
road 10 Spring Hill The lntrenchment.
are about fifteen miles in length, and were
built some time ago. At various pon.s
signal guns and cannonades have been
mounted, so that they can throw grape
and canister among an advancing foe.
a trac: of narshy land has beer made
solid by means Of spiles and earth, and on
this has been erected casemated battery
mounting ten most powerful guns-viz ::
three 100-pounder rifles, four 9-nch'
| Dahlgren's, and three long 80 Founders.
Between the Marsh battery and the AL
ALBANIA river, and near the latter, is a re.
doubt which sweeps the level plateau over
which it keeps guard and it commands as
we'll portion of the bay. Passing fur
tier to the northward another redoubt is
met near small village on the railroad,
which mounts four heavy guns. At Three
Mile Creek is another redoubt which
guards the railroad bridge To the west
| Of Mobile are a series of earthworks seve-
raj miles in extent, further defended by.
formidable breastworks and rifle pits, OK.
tending from the Shell road entirely
around the CITY to the river Between
the Alabama river and the Shell road a
six gun battery commands the position.
Fort Morgan, the main protection to the
city, or rather the entrance to the bay, is:
situated on Mobile Point 1t cost the
United States government in its construc-
.ion and armament about 81 10000, and
is capable of mounting 1872 guns, and Of
garrisoning 700 men 70, siege operations.
1t is built upon the site Of old Fort Boyer
which was noted for its successful resis-
lance of a British fleet on the I4th of Sep.
TENDER, l774. The old fort was a small
redoubt with an armament of twenty short
cannonades, and garrisoned by only 100
men, all told.
On the day above mentioned, four Brit
ish vessels, carrying ninety guns, sailed up
and opened fire upon the fort, having pre-.
viously prepared landing force Of over.
$50 men, and two pieces of artillery. At
ter sharp engagement the British we're.
completely repulsed with loss Of 232
killed and wounded, and the commodore's
flagship entirely destroyed.
Fort Gaines, situated on Dauphin Is
land, minges i,s fire with the guns Of
Fort Morgan, making severe cross>fre.