Battery De Kalb

Battery De Kalb (1906-1917) - Battery John De Kalb was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Taylor (2), Monroe County, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904 after MG John B. De Kalb, Continental Army, who died 19 Aug 1780, of wounds received in action at Camden, South Carolina, 16 Aug 1780. Battery construction started Feb 1904, was completed Aug 1904 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 26 Apr 1906 at a cost of $ 26,700.00. Deactivated in 1917. Battery De Kalb in the 1930s, U.S. Navy photo from Monroe County Library Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Key West. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Barbette carriages. Battery De Kalb Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 6" Rifle 310.4" M1900 31 Watervliet Barbette, M1900, #40, Builders 1906-1917 See note 1 2 6" Rifle 310.4" M1900 21 Watervliet Barbette, M1900, #41, Builders 1906-1917 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Jun 1919, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 96-97, 211 Note 1: Battery De Kalb Plan World War I The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. Current Status Destroyed 1950s. No period guns or mounts in place. {"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"} Location: (Map point approximate) Truman Annex, NAS Key West, Monroe County, Florida Maps & Images Lat: 24.551969 Long: -81.806694 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 18.74' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: Area 30 Dec 2009