Battery Dearborn

Battery Dearborn (1901-1931) - Battery Dearborn was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Morgan (1), Baldwin County, Alabama. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900 after Henry Dearborn, distinguished soldier of the Revolutionary War and Secretary of War, 1801-1809. Battery construction started in 1900, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 20 May 1901 at a cost of $ $150,000.00. Deactivated in 1931. Mortar Pit A at Battery Dearborn Battery Dearborn Interior Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Mobile, Alabama. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with eight 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1896MI mortar carriages arranged in two mortar pits (A & B) with four mortars (1-4) in each pit. Battery Dearborn Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes A1 12" Mortar 141.125" M1890MI 80 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #142, American Hoist 1901-1918 See note 1 A2 12" Mortar 141.125" M1890MI 123 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #145, American Hoist 1901-1931 See note 2 A3 12" Mortar 141.125" M1890MI 78 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #144, American Hoist 1901-1918 See note 1 A4 12" Mortar 141.125" M1890MI 126 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #147, American Hoist 1901-1931 See note 2 B1 12" Mortar 141.125" M1890MI 87 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #143, American Hoist 1901-1918 See note 1 B2 12" Mortar 141.125" M1890MI 72 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #146, American Hoist 1901-1931 See note 2 B3 12" Mortar 141.125" M1890MI 113 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #194, Columbus 1901-1918 See note 1 B4 12" Mortar 141.125" M1890MI 73 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #168, Lake Erie 1901-1931 See note 2 Source: RCW Form 1, Jan 1924, RCB, 31 Dec 1903, 31 Dec 1907, 31 Dec 1909 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 140-141, 212 Note 1: Guns transferred to Morgan Engineering Co. 18 Jul 1918. Carriages ordered scrapped/reduced to parts 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns and carriages declared surplus 15 Oct 1931 CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Dearborn Plan World War I (1917-1918) 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. On 3 May 1918 Fort Morgan (1) was directed to dismount and prepare for shipment four mortar tubes from Battery Dearborn. A 29 Jul 1918 letter indicates that the four Battery Dearborn mortars were loaded on a car at Mobile on 23 Jul 1918 for shipment. The gun cards indicate that the four removed mortars were officially transferred to Morgan Engineering Company 18 Jul 1918. These mortar tubes never made it overseas because the war ended before they could be prepared and shipped, they were stored at various locations until they were scrapped in the 1940's. Current Status Part of Fort Morgan State Park, Baldwin County, Alabama. No period guns or carriages are in place. {"selectable":false,"width":"500"} Location: Fort Morgan State Park, Baldwin County, Alabama Maps & Images Lat: 30.229352 Long: -88.012086 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 16.429' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: 23 Dec 2011, 10 Dec 2009 Battery Dearborn Picture Gallery Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! Battery Dearborn Interior View of Battery Dearborn showing possible generator mounts and cable troughs, at far west end of battery. Fort Morgan Al Telephone and Signaling Station at Battery Dearborn, Fort Morgan Al Signaling Boards located in Telephone and Signaling Station at Battery Dearborn, Fort Morgan Al Interior view of Battery Dearborn, Fort Morgan Alabama Interior view of Battery Dearborn showing alteration made in Fort Morgan Brick located in the far west end. Battery Dearborn viewed from the north near site of old power and ice plant Old mounting ring for 12" mortar no. 2 in pit "B" of Battery Dearborn Mortar Pit "B" of Battery Dearborn