Fort Dade (3): Difference between revisions
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A U.S. Army [[Endicott Period]] coastal defense fort established in 1899 on Egmont Key, Pinellas County Florida. | A U.S. Army [[Endicott Period]] coastal defense fort established in 1899 on Egmont Key, Pinellas County Florida. | ||
A Tampa Bay Hurricane on 25 Oct 1921 caused damage to many of the permanent post buildings and totally destroyed the boathouse and wharf. The high cost of repairs weighed heavily in the decision to close the post in 1923. The post was put into caretaker status with a single caretaker on 25 May 1923. The government was unable to sell the surplus property and it remained on the quartermaster's books through 30 Jun 1935. Fires in 1925 and 1927 destroyed major permanent buildings including both of the 109 man artillery barracks and mess hall facilities. | |||
The U.S. Coast Guard took over the key in the late 1930s and used it as a small arms practice range. During [[World War II]] it was used for lookout posts. The key was designated a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974 and in 1989 Egmont Key State Park opened. | |||
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{{FtDadeEndicott}} | {{FtDadeEndicott}} | ||
[[Image:Fort Dade Overall Plan 1921.jpg|thumb|left|795px|Fort Dade Overall Plan 1921]] | [[Image:Fort Dade Overall Plan 1921.jpg|thumb|left|795px|Fort Dade Overall Plan 1921]] | ||
Revision as of 13:39, 5 February 2012
Fort Dade (3) (1899-1946) - A U.S. Army Endicott Period coastal defense fort established in 1899 on Egmont Key, Pinellas County Florida. Named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900 for Major Francis L. Dade, 4th U.S. Infantry, who was killed along with his entire command by hostile Seminole Indians 28 Dec 1835. Abandoned in 1923 and put into caretaker status but reactivated during World War II. Permanently abandoned in 1946.
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Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of Tampa Bay.
A U.S. Army Endicott Period coastal defense fort established in 1899 on Egmont Key, Pinellas County Florida.
A Tampa Bay Hurricane on 25 Oct 1921 caused damage to many of the permanent post buildings and totally destroyed the boathouse and wharf. The high cost of repairs weighed heavily in the decision to close the post in 1923. The post was put into caretaker status with a single caretaker on 25 May 1923. The government was unable to sell the surplus property and it remained on the quartermaster's books through 30 Jun 1935. Fires in 1925 and 1927 destroyed major permanent buildings including both of the 109 man artillery barracks and mess hall facilities.
The U.S. Coast Guard took over the key in the late 1930s and used it as a small arms practice range. During World War II it was used for lookout posts. The key was designated a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974 and in 1989 Egmont Key State Park opened.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Unamed | 2 | 8" | Rodman | 1898-1900 | $ 33,500 | Allocated cost |
| Battery McIntosh (1) | 2 | 8" | Disappearing | 1898-1900-1900-1923 | $ 118,950 | On edge of beach, surf damaged |
| Battery Howard | 2 | 6" | Disappearing | 1903-1904-1906-1917 | $ 63,250 | Guns shipped away Oct 1917 Damaged by surf erosion |
| Battery Burchsted | 2 | 6" | Pedestal | 1898-1898-1899-1919 | $ 33,955 | British Armstrong Guns Guns to Fort De Soto 1980 In the Gulf |
| Battery Burchsted | 1 | 3" | Masking Parapet | 1901-1901-1904-1920 | Included above | In the Gulf |
| Battery Mellon | 3 | 3" | Masking Parapet | 1904-1920 | $ 15,333 | On edge of beach, surf damaged |
| Battery Page | 2 | 3" | Barbette | 1903-1904-1906-1921 | $ 18,700 | In the Gulf |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
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Current Status
Egmont Key Florida State Park, Pinellas County Florida. Access by ferry from Fort De Soto or private boat. One restored post building, the guardhouse, not open to the public. Access to the southern part of the key is restricted and not allowed by land. The sunken batteries can be accessed by private boat. No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Egmont Key, Southwest of Tampa, Pinellas County, Florida Maps & Images Lat: 27.599662 Long: -82.7612114 |
Sources:
- 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 161
Links:
Visited: 2 Feb 2012
Fort Dade (3) Picture Gallery
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