Of Battlesites and Beaches

"Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!" No doubt you've heard those famous words spoken by Admiral David Farragut, but do you know where he was when he spoke them? If you guessed in Alabama, give yourself an A. If you KNEW the answer was Alabama, give yourself an A+!

Want to please the entire family on your next vacation? Try visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast. What's that? You didn't realize that Alabama had a coast? Well, it does, boasting the beautiful white sand that can be found in most coastal areas along the Gulf. The beauty of Alabama's coastline is that it's less crowded and more appealing to families who aren't interested in the bumper-to-bumper traffic on the strip, wild drinking parties, and run-down hotels. Natural and man-made attractions abound in the area, as well as quite a bit of history.

The coastal area from Mobile, Alabama to the Florida line was largely undeveloped until a couple of decades ago. Today, it is a major attraction for tourists and new residents who want to live near the beach in a warm climate. Property is still affordable, but rising rapidly as more sun-seekers move south. Accommodations and food are also reasonable in the area. This article is the first in a series on things to see and do in the Alabama coastal area.

Now, back to Admiral Farragut. He had already run his boats through fierce gunfire between the forts in New Orleans and sailed up the Mississippi River to Vicksburg two years earlier. In 1864, Farragut turned his attention to the next port to the east, Mobile. On being told that the Bay was full of mines, which were called torpedoes in those days, he uttered the famous battle cry and drove on, capturing and destroying Confederate ships in the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Twin forts sit on opposite shores of Mobile Bay, guarding its entrance like sentries posted at the gate. Fort Gaines is on the west side, Fort Morgan on the east. Fort Gaines will be featured later in this series.

If you're going to spend some time on the beaches at Gulf Shores (and I strongly recommend it), visit Fort Morgan while you're there. You can explore the arched tunnels and underground passageways in the brick fort, which is well-preserved for a structure that is 160 years old. The museum on the grounds holds artifacts from the Fort's history, and there are usually guides present in period costumes to share their stories about the fort.

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