Battery Ford

Battery Ford (1906-1945) - Battery Mahlon Ford was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Taylor (2), Monroe County, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Major Mahlon Ford, 1st Artillerists and Engineers, who served with distinction during the Revolutionary War, and who died 12 Jun 1820. Battery construction started Dec 1903, was completed Aug 1904 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 26 Apr 1906 at a cost of $ 14,100.00. Deactivated in 1945. Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Key West. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" rapid fire M1903 guns mounted on M1903 pedestal mounts. This Battery was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and two magazines on the lower level. No powder or shell hoists were provided. Electric power for lighting was provided from the Battery De Leon power plant. Battery Ford Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 170" M1903 72 Watervliet Pedestal, M1903, #45, Watertown 1906-1945 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 170" M1903 73 Watervliet Pedestal, M1903, #46, Watertown 1906-1945 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 74-75, 211 Note 1: Guns and carriages declared obsolete and processed for salvage in 1945-46. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Ford 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. Battery Ford was not affected by the World War II redistribution. World War II This battery was part of the Harbor Defenses of Key West until it was declared obsolete in 1945. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage 16 May 1945. Current Status Battery destroyed in 1964. No period guns or mounts in place. {"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"} Location: (Map Point is Approximate) Truman Annex, NAS Key West, Monroe County, Florida Maps & Images Lat: 24.546178 Long: -81.801902 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 20' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: Area 8 Jan 2010