Battery 239

Battery 239 (1943-1946) - A World War II era Battery built in 1942-43 as a reinforced concrete Coastal Artillery Battery on Fort Emory. Construction began 5 Jun 1942 and was completed 8 Dec 1943. The Battery was turned over for service 25 Apr 1944 at a cost of $218,851.95. Decommissioned in 1946. Also known as Battery Grant.

Battery 239 History

Battery 239 was a battery of two, 6" rapid fire Barbette mounted guns on either side of an earth covered reinforced concrete support structure designed to protect the entrance to San Diego Harbor. Decommissioned in 1946.

6" Gun at Fort Columbia Originally at Fort McAndrew, Battery 281, Argentia, NL, Canada

These 6" World War II coastal gun batteries were designed to replace obsolete Endicott Period Batteries. Of the 87 planned only 45 were completed and many of those were not completed until late in the war (1944-1945). The 6" guns fired a 105 pound armor-piercing projectile with a range of over 15 miles at a rate of up to 5 rounds per minute. The gun crews were protected by a thick shield around the gun. Only six of these guns remain in the world, two at Fort Columbia in Battery 246, two at Fort Pickens in Battery 234, and two at Fort McAndrew in Battery 282 in Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

6" Gun Crew

Battery 239 Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1905	A2	24	Watervliet	Barbette M1, #56, York	1942-1946
2	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1905	A2	20	Watervliet	Barbette M1, #57, York	1942-1946	Gun originally from Battery Valleau, Fort Casey (1)
Source: CDSG

Battery 239 Plan

Current Status

Active military facility. No period guns or carriages in place.

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Location: Fort Emory, California Maps & Images Lat: 32.597068 Long: -117.130156 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 31' (Gun Mounts)

Sources:

• Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums

Links:

• Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums

Visited:

Battery 239 Picture Gallery

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