Heading South? Don't forget Ship Island!

     

At top: Steve and I on the Ship Island Excursions ferry boat; Middle: Dolphins follow the boat;
Above: The ferry is a good-sized boat found in the Gulfport marina. 

    Visitors to southern Mississippi might notice an island off the coast of Gulfport; It's 12 miles in the distance, off Highway 90, but still visible to the naked eye.

    This is Ship Island -- part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and overseen by the U.S. National Park Service.

     Ship Island, we were told on a tour, features white beaches, marshes, and history dating to initial explorations of the area and including the Civil War.

    It is accessible only by boat, from late March to October. These days, the island itself is closed to most visitors because Hurricane Zeta caused extensive damage to the pier and other parts of the area.

    That did not stop Gulf Coast visitors from taking the boat tour, "Ship Island Excursions." While this is normally a ferry boat to the island, we enjoyed a nice trip on it in November, 2021. 

    Among other things, we saw a record number of dolphins during the journey.

    Ship Island itself is full of history and worth visiting when it is safe to do so. To wit:

    1. The island features deepwater anchorages, which at various times supported Spanish, French and British development along the Gulf Coast in this area.

    2. The British used Ship Island to launch the Battle of 1814 in New Orleans, La.

    3. In 1855, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis (from Biloxi, Ms.) advocated for the building of a fort on Ship Island. Davis referred to the island's history in 1814 to make his case.

    Construction of what became known as Fort Massachusetts began in 1861. Eventually the Confederate Army was ordered off the island, but a letter was found from Lt. H.W. Allen, the fort's commander: "In leaving you today we beg you accept our best wishes for your health and happiness on this pleasant, hospitable shore," he wrote.

    4. Fort Massachusetts is where Admiral David Farragut planned to capture New Orleans, La., in 1862 and Mobile, Ala. in 1864. 

    Farragut, of the U.S. Navy, is known for what he said during the campaign for Mobile Bay: "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" 

    He was successful in both campaigns. A native of Norfolk, Va., Farragut remained loyal to the north and was named Admiral after the war.

    Volunteers now give tours of the fort, which is built of brick from both Louisiana and New England.

    Gulf Islands National Seashore stretches from Florida to Mississippi. Find a link here for more information.

    We were told the Ship Island beaches are beautiful, and in normal times, visitors like to hike, swim and fly kites. There are no overnight accommodations and camping is not allowed. 

    Ship Island is a place for fun day trips.

    Gulfport has a beautiful marina where we caught the boat. The address: Jones Park, 1022 23rd Ave., Gulfport, MS, 39501. The marina is well worth exploring before the boat leaves.

    It is a good reason to get off Interstate 10 and see a beautiful part of the United States for yourself!