Fort San Jacinto is located near the eastern tip of Galveston Island. I had difficulty finding what is left of it, though eventually I did. If you drive down to the eastern tip of the island, staying on the road nearest the ocean side, eventually you will notice a large sloped retaining wall to your left. If you climb up that wall, you can look into a swamp-like area. As I understand it, this is the area where the Corp of Engineers has disposed of dredged material from the ship channel in the past. If you look out into this area, you can see parts of batteries, partially buried. I also noticed a fire control tower relatively close to the edge of this basin. I have been warned that it is very dangerous to try and visit these batteries, the dredged material is very loose, and you can apparently sink very rapidly. I've been told Battery Croghan is located on dry ground along the edge of the basin at the very tip of the island, but I did not have a chance to look for it.

The Endicott era batteries of Fort San Jacinto were constructed shortly before the turn of the century. They consisted of Battery Mercer (eight 12-inch mortars), Battery Heileman (two 10-inch disappearing guns)--completely destroyed, Battery Hogan (two 4.7-inch barbette mounts), and Battery Croghan (two 3-inch barbette mount).

During World War 2, two new batteries were constructed. They were Battery #235, a World War 2 era 6-inch battery, very similar to the battery at Fort Pickens, and AMTB (anti motor torpedo boat) #4--completely destroyed), which mounted two 90-mm guns designed to combat small craft such as motor torpedo boats.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to take any pictures of what is left of Fort San Jacinto. Maybe next time.

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