Ship Island has played an important role in the history and settlement of the Gulf Coast.
The island was named in 1699 by French explorers who were impressed with the protected, deep-water anchorage it offered their ships.
The island soon became an important port for French Louisiana,
and many colonists took their first steps on American soil on Ship Island.
It was indeed the "Plymouth Rock" of the Gulf Coast.
During the war of 1812, 60 British ships,
with nearly 10,000 troops, rendezvoused at the island
prior to their unsuccessful attempt to capture New Orleans.
In 1862 Ship Island served as the base
from which Admiral David Farragut's fleet sailed to attack and capture New Orleans.

Mississippi A state of the southeast United States. It was admitted as the 20th state in 1817. The first settlers in the region (1699) were French, and the area became part of Louisiana. It passed to the British (1763-1779) and then to the Spanish before being ceded to the United States in 1783. The Mississippi Territory, organized in 1798 and enlarged in 1804 and 1813, also included the present state of Alabama. Jackson is the capital and the largest city. Population, 2,586,400+.

Updated 07-03-04

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