GULF SHORES — After guarding the Fort Morgan State Historic Site for many years, the fort’s largest operational cannon was in need of protection itself. Tommy Robinson, a partner in Brett/Robinson Gulf Corp., arranged and funded the large crane needed to relocate this cannon to its new home, a water battery overlooking Mobile Bay.

The 32-pounder cannon was fired recently during weekend celebrations at the fort for the 143rd Anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay over the weekend.

“I am so very honored that Brett/Robinson could participate in this effort to preserve the area’s unique and rich history,” said Robinson, an Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau Board Member. “When Herb (Malone, CVB president/CEO) contacted me, I was more than happy to use my resources to help this worthwhile cause.”

Robinson contacted one of his contractors, Russell Chestang of Russell C. Chestang Construction, who agreed to move this cannon from its precarious position within the fort.

“Without this heavy equipment, we had no way to move this cannon,” said Mike Bailey, education and events coordinator at the fort. “We had to discontinue firing the cannon because when it was fired the explosion created vibrations, which were damaging the fort’s masonry.”

The cannon was originally cast at Fort Pitt Foundry in 1833 and fired a solid iron ball or exploding shell at Union enemies attempting to enter Mobile Bay during the Civil War. With a range of one mile, this 7,500-pound cannon was the standard seacoast defense weapon of the United States from 1829 to the mid-1850s.

As the military began using more advanced weapons, it slowly replaced these cannons, which once totaled 74 at Fort Morgan. By the time of the Battle of Mobile Bay (August 1864), only five cannons of this type were still in use at the fort.

Interestingly, the cannon is mounted on a reproduction seacoast artillery carriage, which appeared in the 1989 Civil War-themed movie Glory.

“We are very grateful to Tommy Robinson and Chestang Construction for making this happen,” said John Neubauer, executive director of the Alabama Historical Commission. “Now we will be able to add to the realism at Fort Morgan and better demonstrate its significance in American history.”

For more information, call (251) 540-7127.