Galveston's Fort San Jacinto - April 2nd, 2011
Galveston Battery Tour: Crocket San Jacinto Ferry Ride Travis
Coast Artillery companies were stationed at Fort San Jacinto, located on the north-east tip of Galveston Island, commanding the southern portion of the entrance to Galveston Bay. Four batteries were built during the Endicott Period (1890-1910): Mercer, Hogan, Croghan, & Heileman. Two batteries were added during WWII: #235 & Anti Torpedo Motor Boat (ATMB). Battery Heileman is no more & Hogan is beyond view in the channel dredgings.
Fort San Jacinto is east of the Galveston Ferry Landing
Right at the parking lot, only the ATMB foundation remains
Many fisherman along shoreline toward Battery Croghan
Walk along the shoreline searching for Battery Croghan
Find a structure several hundred yards along the beach
The abandoned concrete bunker known as Croghan
Get past the strewn rocks and tall weeds
Climb up to see the foundations for the 3-inch guns
Cross to the second 3-inch (76mm) gun foundation
Circle around up top to see the rest of the structure
Time to venture inside the 100 year old structure
The first room is strewn with garbage & graffiti
The second room is a more recent Hobo Hilton
Forgotten & burned out camping equipment is everywhere
Interesting tunnel outside with too much trash to bother
A tiny ferry crosses the ship channel from the left
Holly takes a break before the walk back to the car
Rightside gun emplacement with the ship channel beyond
Back to the parking lot with the ATMB foundation
The muck is too thick so only view of Battery Mercer
Find a pathway among the muck to WWII Battery #235
Although it looks stable, that cracked mud is NOT!
Pull my shoe out of the muck and climb on top #235
Just a concrete platform clear of all but one column
Two 6-inch (152mm) guns were stationed on this slab
Best shot of the channel dredgings filled entryway
Battery #235 has a fabulous view of downtown Galveston