Battery 519

Battery 519 (1944-1948) - Battery 519 was a reinforced concrete, World War II 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Miles, Delaware. Battery construction started on 15 Nov 1942, was completed on 31 Aug 1943 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 15 feb 1944 at a cost of $ 857,000.00. Deactivated in 1948.

Fort Miles, Battery 519 Gun Emplacement #1	Fort Miles, Battery 519 Gun Emplacement #2
Fort Miles, Battery 519 View from the Observation Tower

World War II

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware.

Originally built as an World War II casemated concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895M1 guns mounted on M1917 Barbette carriages. This battery was constructed in place of the 16" Battery 119 after that battery was cancelled in late 1942. The guns and carriages were formally transferred from Fort Saulsbury, Battery Haslet in July 1944 and that battery was closed. There are indications that the guns and mounts were physically moved and mounted in 1943 (RCW 1 May 1944) and that they were upgraded to 440 volt AC power equipment and power rammers. In 1948 the battery was declared surplus and the guns were sold as scrap.

Battery 519 Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	444"	M1895MI		51	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917, #23, Watertown	1944-1948	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	444"	M1895MI		72	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917, #24, Watertown	1944-1948	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 1944, 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 154-155, 208. Note 1: Guns and carriages transferred from Fort Saulsbury, Battery Haslet, Jul 1944. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery 519 Plan

Current Status

Gun emplacement #1 has a 12" gun and carriage in place (not original), gun emplacement #2 is empty. This battery is slated to become one of largest coast artillery museums in the country.

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Location: Fort Miles, Delaware Maps & Images Lat: 38.7767975 Long: -75.0873175 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 64'

Sources:

Links:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library
• Fort Miles - Battery 519
• Fort Miles - Battery 519 Plotting Room

Visited: 3 Aug 2010

Battery 519 Picture Gallery

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