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Bombproof construction begins, pieces for tunnel entrance next to original traverses (Fort Fisher) |
Sections of
precast concrete were placed Friday near a giant mound of dirt as crews begin
to build a replica bombproof -- an earth- and timber-covered structure that protected a garrison from shelling.
The Civil War
site near Kure Beach and contractors are engaged in an extraordinary effort to
recreate three traverses, bombproofs, a magazine and a sally port that were
vital parts of the Confederate fort, which fell in furious hand-to-hand combat in
January 1865.
“This is a one-of-a-kind project,” said Ben Warren
project manager with Bordeaux Construction of Morrisville, N.C. “We build much
larger projects, but many things on this project are unique.”
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Rendering of traverses, sally port and visitor center behind (Fort Fisher) |
The earthworks project requires nearly three dozen pieces of precast concrete.
About half have arrived, said Warren. The pieces were made by the Alcrete plant
in Jacksonville, N.C.
Chad Jefferds, assistant site manager at Fort Fisher, told the Picket there will be a new tunnel allowing visitors to
pass through the fort at the center sally port, as would have been the case
originally, along with bombproofs under the traverses.
The traverses are being built in the same line as those that have withstood the effects of
time and change. Rebuilding the fort will
involve the reconstruction of the 7th, 8th, and 9th traverses.
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Click to enlarge to see rebuilt features, including tunnel and bombproof (Fort Fisher) |
The site, with the exception of a tour stop, closed in April. The new 20,000 square-foot visitor center, a significant upgrade, is just north of the east-west line mounds of earth known as traverses that were part of the defenses. Much of the eastern part of the fort has been claimed by the ocean.
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Visitors will use tunnel to explore features in new traverses (Fort Fisher) |
“Visitors will be able to walk through the tunnel and bombproofs, as well as up into the gun emplacements themselves,” said Jefferds.
“We are in the process of sourcing reproduction munitions, boxes, barrels, etc. to make the bombproofs appear as they may have during the Civil War.”
With the three traverses will come two gun emplacements, which will have a heavy cannon in each, along with two 12-pounder Napoleons in the center sally port.
The project will allow people to interact with the fort in a whole new way, as the tunnels and bombproofs have been caved in and inaccessible since the late 19th century, said Jefferds.
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The new visitor center rises to the north of construction area (Fort Fisher) |
Dennis Stallings, design director for Clark Nexsen, said it had an
archaeological consultant on its team, Commonwealth Heritage Group, which “provided
documentary research along with archeological research and provided a
comprehensive report on the original fort and its construction."
There were archeological investigations in 1970 and another in 1981 that
provided context.
“We aimed to create earthworks that appeared historically accurate while
seamlessly incorporating modern construction techniques,” Stallings wrote in an
email. “This endeavor presented a unique challenge, as we found little
precedent to guide us.”
“The reward is a project that is immensely satisfying as architects. It is a one-of-a-kind endeavor that millions of people will interact with over the coming decades,” he said
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New visitor center is in the middle, at left is current one, new traverses far left (Bordeaux Construction) |
On Jan. 15, 1865, after a naval bombardment, the Federal army attacked
from the western, river side while Marines pushed in from the northeast
bastion. The fall of the “Gibraltar
of the South” cut off blockade runners and the
last supply line through Wilmington to Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern
Virginia. U.S. Colored Troops were among those taking part in the attack.
Jefferds said planning is underway for a grand opening ceremony, which should take place toward the end of September “if everything stays on schedule.”
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Montage of Timothy O'Sullivan wartime photos of traverses; click to enlarge |
While Fort Fisher is still the focus, the approach in developing our exhibits was much more driven by people, including underrepresented groups, said Jefferds.
“The (visitor center) exhibit casework and artifact installation will begin next week and will wrap up on the last week of August, at which time the only remaining work will be on the earthworks and fortifications,” said Warren.
The old visitor center has been torn down.
"Doing so allows us to create a better viewshed of the fort from the new visitor center as well as create green space for programming," said Jefferds.
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