Fort DuPont
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Fort DuPont (1897-1945) - An Endicott Period reinforced concrete coastal fort established on the site of previous fortifications that were removed in 1897. Named in 1899 for Admiral Samuel Francis duPont a U.S. Civil War naval hero. Deactivated 31 Dec 1945.
Fort DuPont History
Original fortification established during the U.S. Civil War to protect the entrance to the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. Later part of Harbor Defenses of the Delaware.
Endicott Period
Construction on the Endicott Period fortifications began in 1897 after the remains of the older fortifications were cleared. There are still remains of a mortar battery dating to 1872 and an earthworks battery built in 1864.
Six Endicott Period reinforced concrete gun batteries were built between 1897 and 1904.
| Battery Click on Battery links below | No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Rodney | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1900-1941 | 4 Mortars shipped to Battery White, Fort Rosecrans by Jul 1918 |
| Battery Best | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1900-1941 | 4 Mortars shipped to Honolulu May 1914 |
| Battery Read | 2 | 12" | Barbette Carriage | 1899-1918 | |
| Battery Gibson | 2 | 8" | Disappearing Carriage | 1899-1917 | |
| Battery Ritchie | 2 | 5" | Pedestal Mount | 1900-1917 | Destroyed |
| Battery Elder | 2 | 3" | Pedestal Mount | 1904-1942 | Guns Mounted Mar 1910 Relocated to Delaware Beach 1922 Guns moved to Battery Liston 1942 |
| Battery Liston - Battery Elder II | 2 | 3" | Pedestal Mount | 1942-1942 | Reedy Island, Liston front range light |
| Source: Coastal Defense Study Group | |||||
World War I
During World War I the guns from Battery Read, Battery Gibson and Battery Ritchie were removed for use elsewhere.
World War II
German POWs were held at Fort DuPont during World War II. The guns from Battery Elder were moved to Battery Liston. Fort DuPont was expanded during World War II as an Army Aviation Engineering Base. Closed 31 Dec 1945 and given to the State of Delaware for use as the Governor Bacon Health Center which opened 28 Oct 1948.
Current Status
Fort DuPont Delaware State Park, no period guns or carriages remain.
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Location: On Reedy Point just east of Delaware city, Delaware. Maps & Images Lat: 39.5705321 Long: -75.5833626
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Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 130
- Wikipedia
- American Forts Network
- North American Forts
Links:
- Fort Delaware State Park
- North American Forts
- Coastal Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library
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Fort DuPont Picture Gallery
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