Gulf Island National Seashore, Florida
Building of Fort Pickens began in 1829 and was to be the largest of four forts intended to guard and defend Pensacola Bay, Florida. Outside the visitors center I found this sign interesting.
Inside the center I thought this display most interesting of all. Ever wonder what was down those little holes in the wet sand as you walk along the beach? I did, all the time. Oh the holes I dug as a little boy and never found anything. Well, it appears I wasn't digging deep enough. That cast is nearly three feet tall.
Then we took the driving tour around the Fort stopping along the way.
This is where BIG guns used to be positioned.
This is where they kept the powder and cannonballs under the BIG guns.
Here is one of the remaining BIG guns. I think it has a 15 inch bore.
You can see how they could swivel the gun around to shoot in all directions.
This is a smaller gun. What is interesting here is that it was a smooth bore cannon at one time. Then with techonology came improvements. A rifled bore (the ridges) made for more accurate shooting. So instead of junking the old cannon, they designed an insert to fit within the smooth bore.
My, if only our dysfunctional government of today was so wise and thrifty.
My, if only our dysfunctional government of today was so wise and thrifty.
All those fantastic photos I took on this post a couple days ago were from this area. See the chain link fencing? They don't want you in there. You might hurt yourself. And then you would sue the Park Service in the traditional American way that we Americans enjoy doing. Anyway, it's always fun trying to position your lens in between the links of a fence. What the Park Service needs to do is provide small portals within the fencing to poke a camera lens through.
That would be thoughtful.
More of Fort Pickens tomorrow
12 comments:
Its very interesting to look around on this spot. I am wondering against who the fort was built. Mexicans, English or just protection in common.
When I was a kid I was always expecting to see an animal coming out of the holes. :)
now that was a close-up. wow, a bit scary. ha. ha!! ( :
This is very interesting and great photos.
I would like to poke around there for a day or so.
PS I put a link to this post on my Facebook page.
Very interesting. We have a number of old Western forts in Texas, and it is enjoyable to walk through them. There is even a "Forts Trail", but it takes a bit to travel the entire length of it. Some of them are in better shape than others. Thanks for sharing these pictures.
the bore holes in the sand are neat. and the refit of the cannon, too!
This is a great post...the sad thing about the chance of being sued is all too real. There are times that I think it needs to be done, but so many where I feel people are just looking for an easy buck.
One of the places we used to wade and fish the creeks is by covered bridge...now there is a sign that there is no wading allowed...simple because some people are so dumb they try to wade the creek when it is too high during flood season. It just irks me to no end.
i always think of the men and the souls lost during times of war!!
Interesting place and tour.
It is a huge fort and made for eternity, so much left of it.
Who needs the fence, they have a crab standing guard! Love the display showing their tunnels.
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