Fort Sumter Tours is an authorized National Park Service concessioner. We provide the only commercial boat transportation to Fort Sumter, the island fort where the Civil War began. The cruise yachts carrying you to Fort Sumter are U.S. Coast Guard inspected passenger vessels. They are clean, safe and equipped with snack bars and restrooms.We have two convenient locations from which you can depart: Liberty Square in downtown Charleston, or in Mt. Pleasant at the Patriots Point Maritime Museum, the world’s largest naval and maritime museum After boarding, you will experience a relaxing 30 minute cruise through Charleston’s historic harbor out to Fort Sumter. The tour is fully narrated and explains many points of interest and historic significance. You will learn about the major events which led to the outbreak of America’s most bloody war. At Fort Sumter National Park, historians will provide detailed information about Fort Sumter and its pivotal role in the War between the States. There is a museum with fascinating exhibits and a small gift shop for your enjoyment. After one hour at the Fort, you will cruise back to port, enjoying panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Charleston’s bustling harbor. An extended stay option is available with approximately 3 1/2 hours on the Fort.
History of Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, located in Charleston, South Carolina was one of two federal ports in the southern United States. Soon after the election of 1860 seven southern states succeeded from the Union. President Lincoln declared that the Union would hold on to these two ports after the succession. However, on April 10, 1861 the Confederate General Beauregard demanded evacuation of the post by the Union troops. When they refused General Beauregard attacked Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. On April 13, 1861, Fort Sumter was captured by the Confederacy and on April 14, 1861 Major Robert Anderson surrendered to the Confederacy. In response to the capture of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln called on state militias to put down the rebellion. This in turn caused more states to join the Confederacy. The battle for control of Fort Sumter marked the beginning of what was to become the Civil War.
The Battle of Fort Sumter
The shelling by Confederates from several positions surrounding Fort Sumter went unanswered until after daylight, when Union gunners began returning fire. Both sides exchanged cannon fire throughout the day of April 12, 1861.By nightfall the pace of the cannons had slowed, and a heavy rain pelted the harbor. Fort Sumter is a Awesome Place For Vacations. When morning dawned clear the cannons roared again, and fires began to break out at Fort Sumter. With the fort in ruins, and with supplies running out, Major Anderson was forced to surrender.The attack on Fort Sumter had produced no combat casualties, though two federal troops died during a freak accident at a ceremony after the surrender when a cannon misfired.The federal troops were able to board one of the U.S. Navy ships which had been sent to bring supplies to the fort, and they sailed to New York City. Upon arrival in New York, Major Anderson learned that he was considered a national hero for having defended the fort and the national flag at Fort Sumter.
Impact of the Attack on Fort Sumter
The citizens of the North were outraged by the attack on Fort Sumter. And Major Anderson, with the flag that had flown over the fort, appeared at a massive rally in New York City’s Union Square on April 20, 1861. The New York Times estimated the crowd at more than 100,000 people.Major Anderson also toured the northern states, recruiting troops.In the South, feelings also ran high. The men who fired the cannons at Fort Sumter were considered heroes, and the newly formed Confederate government was emboldened to form an army and plan for war.While the action at Fort Sumter had not amounted to much militarily, the symbolism of it was enormous, and intense feelings over what had happened propelled the nation into a conflict that would not end for four long and bloody years.
After the war
When the Civil War ended, Fort Sumter was in ruins. The U.S. Army worked to restore it as a useful military installation. The damaged walls were re-leveled to a lower height and partially rebuilt. The third tier of gun emplacements was removed. Eleven of the original first-tier gun rooms were restored with 100-pounder Parrott rifles.From 1876 to 1897, Fort Sumter was used only as an unmanned lighthouse station Place for holidays. The start of the Spanish-American War prompted renewed interest in its military use and reconstruction commenced on the facilities that had further eroded over time. A new massive concrete blockhouse-style installation was built in 1898 inside the original walls. Named “Battery Huger” in honor of Revolutionary War General Isaac Huger, it never saw combat.