Battery Wilkin (1902-1928) - Battery Wilkin was a concrete Endicott Period 6" disappearing gun battery located on Fort Washington (1), Maryland. The Battery was named for Capt. Alexander Wilkin, 17th U.S. Infantry, on 15 May 1903. Battery construction started in June 1899, was completed 27 Oct 1902 and was transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 27 Oct 1902 at a total cost of $64,630.00. Deactivated in 1928.
Battery Wilkin was a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 6" rapid fire gun battery with two M1897MI guns mounted on M1898 disappearing carriages. The carriages arrived at Fort Washington on 26 Jun 1900 from Watertown Arsenal. The guns were mounted on the carriages in August 1902. At least 10 rounds were fired by the battery for practice over its lifetime. The Battery was deactivated sometime in 1928 and the guns were shipped to Aberdeen on 27 Aug 1929. The carriages were scrapped 9 Aug 1929.
Source: Coast Defense Study Group, RCW Form 1 1 Feb 1919, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 94, 209 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA, CDSG gun carriage card collection from NARA.
Current Status
On Fort Washington National Park, Maryland. No period guns or carriages are in place.
