Warbirds and Airshows- Historic Fort Moultrie2012

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Historic Forts
Fort Moultrie (Fort Sullivan), Sullivan Island, SC - July 13, 2012
Until I had visited Fort Sumter earlier in the day I was unaware that Fort Moultrie even existed and how important it was in US history, having denied British naval and invasion forces access to Charleston during the Revolutionary War on June 28, 1776 at this location under the name Fort Sullivan. This location and the forts that have stood here since that time make it one of the longest standing fortified areas in the United States. A true historical gem and a good value for our tax dollars in keeping it preserved for future generations.

The Entrance to the third Fort to stand at this location.

From this vantage point Fort Sumter is not that far away. Confederate Artillery bombarded it from this location on April 12-13, 1861. Down along the water's edge is where Fort Sullivan would have been located in 1776 and from along this shore the submarine CS HL Hunley was launched for its historic attack and sinking of the USS Housatonic on February 17, 1864. This small section of Sullivan Island has seen significant events in the history of the United States.

This photo was take from another point in the fort complex to show how strategic this location is in guarding the Charleston Harbor. Note how close the fishing boat comes to Fort Moultrie.

Another shot of the fishing boat as it passes into the harbor.

The small illustration at the bottom shows from an aerial prospective what I presented in my photos of the fishing boat passing by the Fort.

In this case the Fort was bypassed rather than attacked.

Some of the cannons that are on display that covered the entrance to the harbor. The little boy seems more interested in whatever he sees in the grass.

A view of the fort from the WWII era harbor control entrance tower. The fort is what is now a residential area.

Out in this expanse of water is where the CS HL Hanley made history and then sank.

Over the years the technology of warfare changed but Fort Moultrie was upgraded with new equipment to guard the harbor up until the end of WWII.

Little known to most people is the fact that in 1942 shipping along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts were under intense German U-boat attacks. For more information on this story we recommend you read "Torpedo Junction" by Homer H Hickam, Jr.

This structure was built to control all of forces in guarding Charleston Harbor during WWII.

By going in this door...

and down these stairs...

one enters the restored underground harbor control command center from WWII.

Duty Officer's Room.

The Radio Shack.

This photo was taken from the shore line looking back at Fort Moultrie.

The harbor control command center from the area in front of the fort.

There is a lot of history to be visited at Charleston, SC. Fort Moultrie, Fort Sumter, and the USS Yorktown can all be visited in one day with proper planning, making this location an excellent place to visit for the person interested in US history.