In order to "develop their positions and strength," Sampson decided to conduct a brief bombardment of the shore defenses.
As the ships approached the gray coastline the battlements of the shore defenses became more clearly seen.
Mounting over 100 guns, these forts were the principal shore defenses of New Orleans.
The shore defenses sent up answering gouts of smoke and flame.
The shore defenses here consist- ed of three batteries of catapults, with only one battery firing!
One by oneMississippi's guns grew silent, their work done, as the shore defenses were battered into destruction.
Fort Pemberton served as the western anchor of James Island's shore defense.
On 23 March, Kelly was ordered to bring his crew ashore to help man the shore defenses.
Sun and Rosinant-now in command of the ventral guns-raked the shore defenses.
Mahan and her sister ships bombarded the Japanese shore defenses at the main landing point.
