Last updated: October 1, 2021
Place
Fort Barrancas Tour: Stop 10
Quick Facts
Location:
Pensacola, Florida
Significance:
Spanish Water Battery, Batería de San Antonio, Historic Landmark,
Amenities
1 listed
Trailhead
Spanish Water Battery
A steep tunnel runs underground from the parade to Batería de San Antonio, or the Spanish Water Battery, a National Historic Landmark.
In the military, a battery is a small structure designed for cannon or a group of cannon commanded by a single officer. Spanish engineers built this battery between 1797–1798 after declaring war on Great Britain. From its location at the shoreline, seven cannon could ricochet cannonballs across the surface of the bay to hit ships at the water line. To protect the battery’s rear, a small stockade named Castillo de San Carlos was built on the bluff rising above.
After Spanish West Florida became a US territory in the 1820s, Army engineers demolished the Castillo and built Fort Barrancas in its place. They then modernized the Spanish Water Battery and named it Barrancas Water Battery. With 15 cannon, the battery continued its original purpose in protecting the entrance to Pensacola Bay.