Near Pensacola Beach in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Deadly Explosion

— Fort Pickens —

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

1. Deadly Explosion Marker

Inscription. On the night of June 20, 1899, a fire broke out near a gunpowder magazine on the fort's northwest side. A bucket brigade fought the flames, but the blaze grew in intensity, forced the soldiers away from the cistern, and at 5:20 a.m. ignited 8,000 pounds of gunpowder. The explosion demolished the bastion and showered debris across Pensacola Bay. Flying brick fragments killed Pvt. Earle Welles and injured Pvt. Henry Hopgood, who had sought shelter behind a woodpile.

Erected by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Forts and Castles. A significant historical date for this entry is June 20, 1861.

Location. 30° 19.666′ N, 87° 17.42′ W. Marker is near Pensacola Beach, Florida, in Escambia County. Marker can be reached from Fort Pickens Road, 9.8 miles west of Pensacola Beach Boulevard (State Road 399). Located right outside the south side of the Visitors Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Fort Pickens Road, Gulf Breeze FL 32561, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Step Back in History (within shouting distance of this marker); Converting a Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort within a Fort (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Swatting Mosquitoes (within shouting distance of this marker); Dueling with Confederates (within shouting distance of this marker); Beefing Up Defenses (within shouting distance of this marker); Massive Smoothbore (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Apache Prisoners (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola Beach.

Regarding Deadly Explosion. From the Los Angeles Herald 21 June 1899.

Explosion at Fort Pickens
Pensacola, Fla., June 20.—The smaller magazine at Fort Pickens took fire and blew up this morning and was completely wrecked. One corner of the old fort and several buildings used as headquarters for laborers on the new fortifications were destroyed. One man was killed and four badly injured, one having his arm and leg broken. The larger magazine in which was stored a great quantity of dynamite and other explosives, and the forts were saved by brave work of Captain Nieumann and the marines from the navy yard. The loss will reach $75,000. It is said that cement barrels were being burned and the grass becoming ignited, spread to

Deadly Explosion Marker & fort wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

2. Deadly Explosion Marker & fort wall

the magazine.

Damaged and weathered walls image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

3. Damaged and weathered walls

Damaged and weathered walls of Bastion D image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

4. Damaged and weathered walls of Bastion D

Fort Pickens area entrance sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

5. Fort Pickens area entrance sign

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 877 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 2, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.