Place

Fort Pickens Tour: Stop 16

Bricks missing from the side of Fort Pickens where the explosion happened.
Fort Pickens Bastion D

Quick Facts
Location:
Fort Pickens, Florida

Bastion D

This damaged pier and arch are the result of an accidental explosion in the late 1800s. The explosion destroyed Bastion D and created this large gap.

In the early morning hours of June 20, 1899, soldiers discovered a fire near the sally port. Here, casemates housed large wooden blocks for moving guns and artillery supplies. The officer in charge, Second Lieutenant Robert H. C. Kelton, 1st US Artillery, led his 60 men in fighting the fire. As the fire spread toward Bastion D, it moved closer to a powder magazine holding 8,000 pounds of explosives. Unable to control the fire, Kelton withdrew his men before the magazine exploded.

The explosion wounded Private Henry Hopgood and killed another, Private Earle F. Welles. Today Private Welles rests across the bay at Barrancas National Cemetery.

The fire's cause remains unknown to this day. Eleven soldiers, including Kelton, were recognized for their “. . . heroic and energetic efforts . . .”

 

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Last updated: July 16, 2021