1950 Map of Ship Island

About this map

Old Fort Massachusetts stands as a sentinel on the western end of Ship Island, marking a landscape defined by shifting sands and maritime navigation. This mid-century survey, based on 1950 data with 1970 revisions, highlights the strategic and logistical infrastructure required for gulf commerce, including the Ship Island Lighthouse and the US Quarantine Station. The map illustrates the complex waterway system surrounding the island, where the Gulfport Channel and Ship Island Channel intersect at Ship Island Harbor. Significant hydrographic detail reveals the shallow underwater topography of Loggerhead Shoal and Ship Island Flats, which posed constant challenges to vessels entering the Mississippi Sound or crossing toward Chandeleur Sound. The presence of the US Quarantine Station and various light structures underscores the island's role as a primary gateway for the Mississippi coast during this era.