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

Beefing Up Defenses

— Fort Pickens —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

1. Beefing Up Defenses Marker

Inscription. On the brink of war with Spain after the USS "Maine" battleship was sunk in Havana Harbor, Cuba, in February 1898, the U.S. Army installed a minefield in the Pensacola Harbor entrance. Leaving a 1000-foot opening, the Corps of Engineers placed two booms—across the channel from Santa Rosa Island and Period Key. Buoyant and underwater mines were laid behind the booms. A searchlight swept the minefield. The system remained in force until a major hurricane damaged facilities in 1926, and the U.S. Navy took over Pensacola's underwater defenses.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Spanish-American • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1898.

Location. 30° 19.704′ N, 87° 17.432′ W. Marker is near Pensacola Beach, Florida, in Escambia County. It can be reached from Fort Pickens Road 9.8 miles Pensacola Beach Boulevard (State Road 399). 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pensacola

and on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dueling with Confederates (here, next to this marker); Swatting Mosquitoes (here, next to this marker); Step Back in History

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Deadly Explosion (within shouting distance of this marker); Converting a Cannon (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort within a Fort (about 400 feet away); Massive Smoothbore (about 500 feet away); Apache Prisoners (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola Beach.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Captain Richard G. Bradford (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Mine Planter ships (Wikipedia article). (Submitted on January 3, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Beefing Up Defenses Marker area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 31, 2014

2. Beefing Up Defenses Marker area

Fort Pickens entrance sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 1, 2015

3. Fort Pickens entrance sign

Army Mine Planter General John M. Schofield image. Click for full size.

Photographed by US Naval Institute, June 4, 1910

4. Army Mine Planter General John M. Schofield

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 614 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 3, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.