Battery Dilworth

Battery Dilworth (1901-1920) - Battery Dilworth 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. 78, 25 May 1903 after 2nd Lt. Rankin Dilworth (Cullum 1218), 1st U.S. Infantry, who died 27 Sep 1846, of wounds received at the Battle of Monterey, Mexico, during the Mexican-American War. Battery construction started Jan 1898, was completed Feb 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 23 Apr 1901 at a cost of $ 11,375.00. Deactivated in 1920. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Key West. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" rapid fire M1898MI guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet mounts. This was a two story battery with both guns on the upper level and two separate magazines on the lower level. No powder or shell hoists were provided. Power for lighting was provided from the power plant in Battery De Kalb. Battery Dilworth Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 39 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #39, Driggs-Seabury 1901-1920 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 41 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #41, Driggs-Seabury 1901-1920 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Jun 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 70-71, 211. Note 1: Carriages scrapped 20 May 1920, guns transferred to Watervliet 17 Sep 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Dilworth 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. Battery Dilworth escaped the World War I redistribution but on 20 Aug 1917 both guns were transferred to Watervliet and quickly returned on 30 Oct 1917. Presumably this quick transfer and return was for gun modifications or repair since no overseas transfer orders were found. On 27 Mar 1920 the A.G.O. ordered both 3" guns removed and the carriages salvaged. The guns were transferred back to Watervliet on 17 Sep 1920 and the carriages were scrapped 20 May 1920. Current Status Battery structure was destroyed in the 1970s. 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: 24.552178 Long: -81.806672 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 18.74' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: Area 2 Jan 2010