Ship Island

[Jagger]

Ship Island is missing from the game.

Ship Island is actually two barrier islands located 12 miles offshore from Gulfport/Biloxi Mississippi. It is the only deep water harbor between Mobile and New Orleans. Ship Island was used as the staging point for Farraguts capture of New Orleans in 1862. The British also used Ship Island to stage their failed attempt to capture New Orleans in 1812.

A very weak, half-complete fort was located on Ship Island. The rebels initially attempted to complete construction but then abandoned Ship Island altogether. I assume it was abandoned due to the inability to hold and supply the offshore Islands without a deep water navy. The Union then occupied the Islands and used them as their staging base for the attack on New Orleans.

The combination of a deep water harbor and a safe location 12 miles offshore made it a valuable position for Union Gulf operations.

In game terms, Ship Island should also be a valuable position. It is located near New Orleans and Mobile. It is safe from land based attack. And it had a deep water port for supply. Currently, the US only has two safe ports off the tip of Florida-Forts Zachery and Jefferson. Ship Island is located in a much better strategic position between New Orleans and Mobile.

Any possibility of adding an offshore Island with fort to represent Ship Island?

[PhilThib]

This could be done, but that would mean to alter the map database and rework ALL scenarios to fit with it...

To start with, could you make a screenshot of where Ship island could be located in the game map

[Jabberwock]

This is Ship Island, or at least what is left of it. It didn't become two islands until 1969 (Hurricane Camille). Fort Massachusetts is located on the north shore of West Ship Island.

[Jagger]

Ship Island would be located in the Biloxi Bay Region just below the Gulf, Mississippi Region. A fort placed in the region in a manner similiar to Forts Jefferson and Zachery would work. The region shows three Islands at the top of the region. Ship Island is the second and third Islands along the top.

(I just tried to attach a screenshot but it is too big).

Here is some information on the fort at Ship Island from here:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/guis/extended/MIS/MHistory/Forts.htm

Fort Massachusetts
Following the War of 1812, the United States War Department began planning for the construction of an extensive system of masonry fortifications for coastal defense. Because of Ship Island's natural deep-water harbor and its location along a shipping route, Ship Island was important to the defense of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The island was declared a United States military reservation in 1847, and 9 years later the U. S. Congress authorized construction of a fort. A site approximately 500 feet from the western tip of the island was eventually selected as the location for the fort. Construction began in June 1859 under supervision of the Army Corps of Engineers. The work was primarily done by civilians. The work force sometimes numbered as many as 100 men, and included carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, and stonecutters. By early 1861 the outside wall of the fort stood 6 to 8 feet above the level of the sand.

In January 1861 Mississippi seceded from the Union, becoming the second state of the Confederacy. One of the first acts of war in the state occurred on Ship Island when an armed band of Mississippi militia took possession of the island and the unfinished fort. The militia soon abandoned the island where it remained deserted until early June when Confederate troops returned and mounted several cannons. On July 9, the Union ship Massachusetts came within range of the Confederate guns. The 20-minute exchange of cannon fire that followed resulted in few injuries and little damage to either side. That action was the only military engagement in which Ship Island or the fort would ever be directly involved.

During the remainder of the summer of 1861, the Confederate forces on the island worked with sandbags and timber to strengthen the walls of the unfinished fort. Despite their work the Confederates abandoned the island in mid-September.

Union forces soon occupied the island. Ship Island was used as the staging area for the Union Forces' successful capture of New Orleans in the spring of 1862. As many as 18,000 United States troops were stationed on Ship Island. The island's harsh environment took its toll on many of the men. More than 230 Union troops eventually died and were buried on Ship Island during the Civil War. The bodies of many of these men were later reburied at Chalmette National Cemetery near New Orleans.

Throughout the remainder of the war UnionForces made good use of Ship Island. Union ships stopped at the island for repairs and to pick up supplies. One of the first black regiments in the United States Army was recruited in Louisiana and stationed on Ship Island for almost 3 years. A hospital, barracks, mess hall, and bakery were just a few of nearly 40 buildings constructed on the island during the war. In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers resumed construction of the fort in 1862. It was during the Civil War the fort was first called "Massachusetts" probably in honor of the Union ship by the same name. However, the fort was never officially named, and was referred to simply as the "Fort on Ship Island" in most official records

[Jagger]

Thank Jabberwocky! That is the area I was trying to attach as a screenshot.

I think Katrina finished off East Island by scouring the top off. I believe it is now completely underwater.

I guess that means no one can use the East Island again for any future invasions of New Orleans. Probably for the best.