Fort Gaines, constructed in the 1850’s, was designed by Joseph G. Totten. Totten was, along with Simon Bernard, one of the original members of the board of engineers placed in charge of fortifications. Totten designed many of the later fortifications of the Third System, and was the foremost fortification engineer in the United States during this time. Fort Gaines shows a different design philosophy than many of the earlier fortifications, and is much simpler than many of the Third System forts. This is because the Fort Gaines defended a minor channel into Mobile Bay, while Fort Morgan was located very close to the main channel.
Much like Fort Morgan, Fort Gaines has two distinct eras of fortification, the original Third System fort, and later Endicott period gun batteries. These will be covered together, since the Endicott batteries are not very extensive.
Fort Gaines is an interesting example of a late Third System fortification. Although less elaborate than some of the earlier fortifications, it has many unique and interesting features. Fort Gaines is an Alabama State Park, and is located on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island, near Mobile, Alabama.
In the foreground are the mounts for the barbette cannon, and in the distance, a cannon mounted on the bastion. On the left, the rampart on which the guns were mounted slopes downward exposing some of the inner wall. This allowed the wall to be loopholed for rifle embrasures, which can be seen near the soil level on the wall.
The bastion, which contained a magazine, and provided bombproof shelter for the troops, can be accessed from the area around the walls by this structure, which links a tunnel through the rampart with the bastion itself.
This plan of Fort Gaines shows the general shape and outline of the fort. You can also see the outline of the tip of the island where the fort is located as it was when the fort was constructed.
Originally, the rifle embrasures were designed to be near shoulder height to the soldiers standing inside the wall. Over time, most areas along the inside of the walls of Fort Gaines have filled in, however, in a few areas, the rifle embrasures are still nearly at shoulder height.
Between 1890-1910, many coastal locations were refortified as part of the Endicott program. Three 6-inch disappearing guns were installed within the walls of Fort Gaines as a part of that program. This is a battery for two of those weapons, which were on the upper level of the structure.
The view from a bastion shows one of the other bastions, and the rifle embrasures in the upper part of the wall. These would combine to sweep the area along this face with fire in the event of an infantry attack. You can also see the remains of the glacis, an earthern slope which protected the brick walls of the fort from direct cannon fire on the land sides of the fort.
The ramp in the center provides access to the barbette level of the fort. The tunnel under the ramp gives access through the rampart to the bastion.
Unlike many of the Third System forts, Fort Gaines has few casemates. Those present served as bombproof protection, instead of serving as gun emplacements, as found at Fort Pickens. The structure in the foreground is a cistern, which stored rainwater from the gutters of various structures for drinking water.
A view of the interior of Fort Gaines. The brick buildings are part of the original post, serving as barracks, kitchen facilities, and the other needs of the post.
Another addition to Fort Gaines during the Endicott period was this coincidence rangefinder station. It is located on one of the bastions facing away from Mobile Bay. Note the rifle embrasures on both the bastion, and the wall, showing that a majority of the walls height was supported by soil, although the top was free standing to give access to the rifle embrasures.
The lower level of the structure was used for storage of powder and shells. Note the hooks for handling the ammunition, and moving it to the level above the door, where the guns were located.
