Fort MacArthur: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:FortMacArthur Gun.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Fort MacArthur, 14" Gun]] | [[Image:FortMacArthur Gun.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Fort MacArthur, 14" Gun]] | ||
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==[[World War I]]== | ==[[World War I]]== | ||
World War I began in August 1914 and the Panama Canal opened that same month. Construction began at Fort MacArthur 31 Oct 1914 and include the construction of three [[Taft Period]] Batteries (two 14" disappearing gun batteries and one 12" mortar battery). None of those batteries were completed before the end of [[World War I]] in 1918 but they were all completed and accepted in 1919. | World War I began in August 1914 and the Panama Canal opened that same month. Construction began at Fort MacArthur 31 Oct 1914 and include the construction of three [[Taft Period]] Batteries (two 14" disappearing gun batteries and one 12" mortar battery). None of those batteries were completed before the end of [[World War I]] in 1918 but they were all completed and accepted in 1919. | ||
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The Fort MacArthur reservation was geographically divided into three parts: the Lower Reservation, Middle Reservation, and Upper Reservation. The [[Taft Period]] Batteries were located on the Upper Reservation. The lower reservation was a training center for troops heading to the war in Europe. | The Fort MacArthur reservation was geographically divided into three parts: the Lower Reservation, Middle Reservation, and Upper Reservation. The [[Taft Period]] Batteries were located on the Upper Reservation. The lower reservation was a training center for troops heading to the war in Europe. | ||
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[[Image:FortMacArthur Map.png|795px|thumb|left|Fort MacArthur Plan circa 1921]] | [[Image:FortMacArthur Map.png|795px|thumb|left|Fort MacArthur Plan circa 1921]] | ||
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The Army installed one 14" Railway gun in 1925 and another in 1930 and additional anti-aircraft units were placed strategically around the larger gun emplacements. Because of public outcry over the test firing of the 14" railway guns they were transported to remote locations for additional firings and returned to Fort MacArthur for storage, ready for emplacement. Two special roundtable like emplacements that allowed the railway guns to traverse 360 degrees were constructed in 1937 at the ends of spur tracks on the lower reservation. Activity increased as [[World War II]] broke out in Europe and 1941 saw additional manpower and missions assigned to Fort MacArthur. | The Army installed one 14" Railway gun in 1925 and another in 1930 and additional anti-aircraft units were placed strategically around the larger gun emplacements. Because of public outcry over the test firing of the 14" railway guns they were transported to remote locations for additional firings and returned to Fort MacArthur for storage, ready for emplacement. Two special roundtable like emplacements that allowed the railway guns to traverse 360 degrees were constructed in 1937 at the ends of spur tracks on the lower reservation. Activity increased as [[World War II]] broke out in Europe and 1941 saw additional manpower and missions assigned to Fort MacArthur. | ||
==[[World War II]]== | ==[[World War II]]== | ||
{{FtMacArthurWorldWarII}} | {{FtMacArthurWorldWarII}} | ||
Revision as of 18:09, 8 January 2009
Fort MacArthur (1914-1974) - Established 31 Oct 1914 and named after Lt. Gen. Arthur MacArthur, U.S. Civil War Medal of Honor recipient and father of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
Deactivated in 1975 but quarters and some other activities remained.
World War I
World War I began in August 1914 and the Panama Canal opened that same month. Construction began at Fort MacArthur 31 Oct 1914 and include the construction of three Taft Period Batteries (two 14" disappearing gun batteries and one 12" mortar battery). None of those batteries were completed before the end of World War I in 1918 but they were all completed and accepted in 1919.
The Fort MacArthur reservation was geographically divided into three parts: the Lower Reservation, Middle Reservation, and Upper Reservation. The Taft Period Batteries were located on the Upper Reservation. The lower reservation was a training center for troops heading to the war in Europe.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Osgood | 1 | 14" | Disappearing | 1916-1919-1919-1944 | $ 211,427 | |
| Battery Farley | 1 | 14" | Disappearing | 1916-1919-1919-1944 | Included above | |
| Battery Merriam | 1 | 14" | Disappearing | 1916-1919-1919-1944 | $ 251,363 | |
| Battery Leary | 1 | 14" | Disappearing | 1916-1919-1919-1944 | Included above | |
| Battery Erwin | 2 | 14" | Railway | 1925-1926-1926-1937 1937-1937-1943-1945 |
$ 9,344 $ 144,806 |
emplacements and approaches |
| Battery Barlow | 4 | 12" | Mortar | 1916-1919-1919-1943 | $ 290,300 | |
| Battery Saxton (1) | 4 | 12" | Mortar | 1916-1919-1919-1943 | Included above | |
| Battery Lodor | 4 | 3" | Pedestal | 1916-1917-1917-1927 | $ 1,949 | Deadman's Island |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
Post World War I
After the war Fort MacArthur returned to being a Coast Artillery post and became a training facility for the California National Guard. One additional gun battery (Lodor) was built in 1919 but decommissioned in 1927.
The Army installed one 14" Railway gun in 1925 and another in 1930 and additional anti-aircraft units were placed strategically around the larger gun emplacements. Because of public outcry over the test firing of the 14" railway guns they were transported to remote locations for additional firings and returned to Fort MacArthur for storage, ready for emplacement. Two special roundtable like emplacements that allowed the railway guns to traverse 360 degrees were constructed in 1937 at the ends of spur tracks on the lower reservation. Activity increased as World War II broke out in Europe and 1941 saw additional manpower and missions assigned to Fort MacArthur.
World War II
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery 127 | 2 | 16" | Casemated Barbette (CBC) | 1942-1943-1944-1948 | $1,256,410 | White Point MR |
| Battery 128 | 2 | 16" | Casemated Barbette (CBC) | 1943-1944-1945-1948 | $ 758,879 | Bolsa Chica MR Not armed |
| Battery Eubank | 2 | 8" | Railway | 1942-1942-1943-1944 | $ 46,907 | Manhattan Beach MR |
| Battery 240 | 2 | 6" | Shielded Barbette (SBC) | 1942-1943-1943-1956 | $ 219,000 | Point Vicente MR |
| Battery 241 | 2 | 6" | Shielded Barbette (SBC) | 1943-1943-1944-1956 | $ 219,000 | Upper Reservation |
| Battery 242 | 2 | 6" | Shielded Barbette (SBC) | 1943-1944-1944-1948 | $ | Bolsa Chica MR |
| Battery Navy Guns - El Segundo | 2 | 6" | Pedestal | 1942-1943-1943-1944 | $ 15,243 | El Segundo |
| Battery AMTB - Gaffey Bulge | 2 | 90 mm | Fixed Pedestal | 1943-1943-1944-1946 | $ 76,576 | |
| Battery AMTB - Navy Field | 2 | 90 mm | Fixed Pedestal | 1943-1943-1944-1946 | Included above | |
| Battery AMTB - Terminal Island | 2 | 90 mm | Fixed Pedestal | 1943-1943-1944-1946 | Included above | |
| Battery AMTB - Bluff Park | 2 | 90 mm | Fixed Pedestal | 1943-1943-1944-1946 | Included above | |
| Battery JAAN 1 - Cabrillo Beach | 2 | 3" | Pedestal | 1942-1943-1943-1946 | $ 8,040 | Guns from Battery Lodor |
| Battery JAAN 2 - Long Beach | 2 | 3" | Pedestal | 1942-1943-1943-1946 | $ 8,122 | Guns from Battery Lodor |
| Battery 155 - Santa Barbara | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1943-1943-1944-1944 | $ 9,689 | |
| Battery 155 - Ventura | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1943-1943-1944-1944 | $ 9,990 | |
| Battery 155 - Oxnard | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1943-1943-1944-1944 | $ 11,266 | |
| Battery 155 - Port Hueneme | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1943-1943-1944-1944 | $9,382 | |
| Battery 155 - Pacific Palisades | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1943-1943-1944-1944 | $ 11,151 | |
| Battery 155 - El Segundo | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1942-1943-1943-1944 | $ 21, 260 | Converted from 6" Navy Guns |
| Battery 155 - Rocky Point (1) | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1941-1943-1943-1944 | $ 19,809 | 3 Panama Mounts 2 Guns |
| Battery 155 - Long Point | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1941-1942-1943-1944 | $ 8,208 | |
| Battery 155 - Fermin Point | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1941-1942-1943-1944 | $ 6,332 | |
| Battery 155 - Bolsa Chica | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1941-1942-1943-1944 | $ 8,783 | |
| Battery 155 - Costa Mesa | 2 | 155mm | Mobile, Panama Mounts | 1941-1943-1943 | $ 18,734 | 3 Panama Mounts 2 Guns |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
Current Status
In 1977 the Upper and Lower Reservations were deeded to the city of Los Angeles. All of the buildings on the Lower Reservation were removed and the property was dredged to create the Cabrillo Marina. The city of Los Angeles turned the Upper Reservation into a city park in 1982. In 1982 the Middle Reservation was transferred to the Air Force and used as a housing and administration facility for Los Angeles Air Force Base.
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Location: San Diego, California. Maps & Images Lat: 33.71194 Long: -118.29528 |
Sources:
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 28
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 75
- Fort MacArthur Museum
- California Military Museum
Links:
Visited: No
Fort MacArthur Picture Gallery
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