Today, our second day in Newport, NC. We went to Fort Macon, a fort build around 1820. Some time after it was built a young engineer by the name of Robert E Lee designed a series of jetties that were built around 1840 to protect the fort from erosion. When North Carolina went with the Confederate States the Confederate Army went to the caretaker of the property and asked him and his wife to leave. They only occupied it for about a year because the North took over all of the forts in this area in an attempt to cut off supplies to the Confederate Army. The did ask the Confederate commander to surrender twice before they took it over forcefully.
The fort is in very good condition and has been used many times by the government.
You can see where the guns were located during the Civil War to protect the harbor.
The fort was also used during the Spanish American war. Then during WWII to spot German U boats.
The view is excellent into the harbor.
You can see the area is still patrolled by the Coast Guard. There is a Coast Guard Station next to the fort.
There were many guns, this is a copy of an actual one.
When the Union Army shot at the fort the four foot thick walls were beginning to crumble and the officer had no choice, but to surrender. The Union had just about broke through to one of the gun powder storage areas. Also, if you look close at the steps you can see where a cannon ball skimmed down the steps and chipped many as it descended into the fort.
Today the USA flag stands tall at Fort Macon
We stopped to have lunch at Marker Restaurant. How do you like my car?
Great lunch of oysters.
The sun is sitting at the campground.
Our campground was real close to the Air force Base and the pilots were training. These are the jets that the engines turn so they can take off up straight. They move very slowly sometimes.
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