The side of the fort that faces the harbor entrance had gun batteries located on the glacis of the fort. This battery was supported by a hot shot furnace, which can be seen in the center of the photograph. The stairs leading to the battery are very narrow. This was a design feature, intended to limit the number of enemy troops which could go down them at one time if an attempt was made to storm the fort.

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The hotshot furnace is an oven designed to heat cannonball red hot. These were then fired from the cannon, with the hope of setting wooden ships on fire. The advent of the ironclad caused this tactic to become obslete.

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These are some of the barbette tier gun mounts, along the harbor entrance. Heavy seacoast guns which protected the harbor entrance were mounted here.

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Fort Morgan, page 3
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