// Cape Charles Dredge // Detroit Publishing Co. Images // Postcard history of the harbor // Ship Island //
The Deepwater Port of Gulfport
“On the evening of January 24, 1902, a special G &SI train arrived in Gulfport from Jackson. Aboard were Mrs. Andrew Longino, the wife of the Governor; Lieutenant Governor James T. Harrison; most of the members of the state legislature; state officers; and several hundred guests. The visitors were welcomed by speeches from Captain Jones and Eaton J. Bowers.
Early next morning, in 40 degree weather, more than five hundred people gathered on the end of the pier to celebrate the birth of Gulfport as a deep-water port. With the bands playing “the Star Spangled Banner,” “Dixie,” and “Yankee Doodle,” and Captain Jones “prouder than a boy with his first pair of red boots, waving and shouting,” the Italian schooner Trojan docked at the wharf in nineteen feet of water. Unknown to the observers on the pier, Captain Jones had paid Captain Aregino of the Trojan $1,000 and promised to pay for any damage to his ship when both the United States and Italian governments refused to vouch for the safety of the port.” Gulfport, Beginnings and Growth, Henry W. Black, 1986
Early next morning, in 40 degree weather, more than five hundred people gathered on the end of the pier to celebrate the birth of Gulfport as a deep-water port. With the bands playing “the Star Spangled Banner,” “Dixie,” and “Yankee Doodle,” and Captain Jones “prouder than a boy with his first pair of red boots, waving and shouting,” the Italian schooner Trojan docked at the wharf in nineteen feet of water. Unknown to the observers on the pier, Captain Jones had paid Captain Aregino of the Trojan $1,000 and promised to pay for any damage to his ship when both the United States and Italian governments refused to vouch for the safety of the port.” Gulfport, Beginnings and Growth, Henry W. Black, 1986
The Italian Steamship Giovan Maria D'Ali delivered the first cargo to the port of Gulfport in August, 1904. The Trojan was the first merchant vessel to dock at the new harbor in Gulfport in January, 1902. But it had no cargo, it was hired by Capt. Jones to show that the new Ship Island channel was navigable.
