Galveston's Fort San Jacinto - April 2nd, 2011
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.
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Fort San Jacinto is east of the Galveston Ferry Landing
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Right at the parking lot, only the ATMB foundation remains
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Many fisherman along shoreline toward Battery Croghan
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Walk along the shoreline searching for Battery Croghan
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Find a structure several hundred yards along the beach
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The abandoned concrete bunker known as Croghan
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Get past the strewn rocks and tall weeds
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Climb up to see the foundations for the 3-inch guns
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Cross to the second 3-inch (76mm) gun foundation
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Circle around up top to see the rest of the structure
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Time to venture inside the 100 year old structure
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The first room is strewn with garbage & graffiti
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The second room is a more recent Hobo Hilton
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Forgotten & burned out camping equipment is everywhere
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Interesting tunnel outside with too much trash to bother
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A tiny ferry crosses the ship channel from the left
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Holly takes a break before the walk back to the car
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Rightside gun emplacement with the ship channel beyond
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Back to the parking lot with the ATMB foundation
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The muck is too thick so only view of Battery Mercer
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Find a pathway among the muck to WWII Battery #235
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Although it looks stable, that cracked mud is NOT!
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Pull my shoe out of the muck and climb on top #235
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Just a concrete platform clear of all but one column
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Two 6-inch (152mm) guns were stationed on this slab
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Best shot of the channel dredgings filled entryway
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Battery #235 has a fabulous view of downtown Galveston