Despite the Union blockade, Mobile Bay was a hot spot for smuggling
supplies into the beleaguered Confederacy. Determined to end this trade,
in the summer of 1864 a Federal fleet under Admiral David Farragut arrived
intent on capturing and closing the port.
Confederate forces had spent three and a half years creating Mobile's defenses of fortified artillery positions, sunken pilings and other hazards, and rows of mines (called "torpedoes"). Fort Morgan, with its 500-man garrison and 46 guns would be the greatest obstacle for Farragut and his fleet. Faced with withering fire from the fort as well as mines, Farragut proclaimed, "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"
Threat: Today, the fort that once withstood an 18-day Union bombardment has fallen into disrepair. Portions of the property are closed to the public due to safety concerns. Erosion and other damage by recent storms, particularly Hurricane Ivan, have taken a significant toll on Fort Morgan. But with staff reduced to half the recommended level, only the most minimal maintenance can be performed. Many heritage tourism programs have been cancelled completely.
Recently, the Alabama Historical Commission, which owns and operates the site, adopted a new plan to gradually increase staff and repair storm damage to the property, but the process will be far from easy. Implementation of the plan will require substantial state funding. Another alternative supported by some concerned groups is to transfer the site to the National Park Service as a division of the Gulf Islands National Seashore system, which already includes Civil War sites in Pensacola, Fla., and Biloxi, Miss.
CWSAC classified Fort Morgan as a Priority I, Class A site, its highest designation.
