17 comments

  1. […] of a shell hole made by Farragut’s guns when he damned the torpedoes and ordered his ships “full speed ahead!” in the Battle of Mobile […]

  2. […] under his command at the Battle of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864, the Tennessee was eventually overwhelmed under the concentrated attack of Admiral […]

  3. Great post! 2 of my great grandfathers fought at the Battle of Mobile. James Reynolds at Ft. Gaines (62nd Alabama infantry) and George Hamby at Ft. Morgan (1st Alabama Artillery). Both were captured and imprisoned at Ft. Massachusetts on Ship Island.

  4. (Farragut) “Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!”,……..BOOM!!….(Farragut) “What the hell was that!?”,….(sailor) “A torpedo,….dumbass”

  5. He said: “Damn! The mosquitoes! Full speed ahead!”

  6. The actul quote was “I saved 15% on my car insurance by switching to Geico”

  7. According to Selma’s Saul Tepper, Farragut said,”Torpedoes? DAMN!!!”

  8. This is good stuff. Mobile and the state could do so much more for our history and our contribution to American history. I would rebuild Cahaba, and set up riverboat cruises from Montgomery to Mobile with a stop there. General Lafayette visited Cahaba in 1825 on a tour of the US. Fort Mims and Fort Toulouse should be brought up to snuff for history buffs and tourists. The only real Alabama historical site that has a thorough presentation of film, museum, dioramas, and battle combat is Horseshoe Bend, and it is under the auspices of the National Park people. Our legislature is historically ignorant, and does not fund our state historical people charged with the development of our sites. Even the Federal Road could be set up as well as the Natchez Trace. And it goes on and on. Half the covered bridges in the state have collapsed. We have allowed great unique buildings to be torn down. I despair. Our whole nation is losing its identity, and we are to blame, because we do not revere our past.
    This is a great site. I am learning so much. Mucho gracias.

  9. The forts not like it used to be, time has really taken a toll on it. Still a great piece of history, even after the civil war.

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.

  10. How many men manned the fort – 50 or so?

    Been there alreadybut to practically defend the fort – it’s more of a post.

  11. Years ago, I worked a job that allowed me the opportunity to spend nearly an entire night in that fort. We were there to around 4:00 am with free run of the entire place. It was cool to say the least, but I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

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