Battery Leary-Merriam

Battery Leary-Merriam (1916-1944) - Battery Leary-Merriam was a reinforced concrete Taft Period 14" gun battery located on Fort MacArthur, California. The Battery was constructed as a single two gun battery but each gun emplacement was designated as a separate battery. Gun emplacement #1 was named for Brig. Gen. Peter Leary Jr. and gun emplacement #2 was named for Brig. Gen. Henry Clay Merriam. Battery construction started 20 Jan 1916, was completed 10 Oct 1919 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 10 Oct 1919 at a total cost of $251,363. Battery was converted to an HDCP/HECP in 1944.

Battery Leary Gun Loading, image courtesy Fort MacArthur Museum	Battery Leary Gun, image courtesy Fort MacArthur Museum
Battery Merriam Panorama

Battery Leary-Merriam History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Los Angeles.

Battery Leary-Merriam was a reinforced concrete Taft Period gun battery with two, M1910 MI, 14" guns mounted on M1907 MI disappearing carriages. Constructed 1916-1919 and accepted in 1919. Gun # 2 was mounted 24 Apr 1917 and gun # 1 was mounted 14 May 1917. The Battery armament was ordered scrapped 14 Jan 1944 and the Battery was converted into a Harbor Defense Command Post (HDCP) and Harbor Entrance Command Post (HECP) and accepted 7 Nov 1944.

Battery Leary-Merriam Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	14" Rifle	48' 3"	M1910MI		14	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1907MI, #18, Watertown	1917-1944	Gun mounted 14 May 1917
2	14" Rifle	48' 3"	M1910MI		16	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1907MI, #19, Watertown	1917-1944	Gun mounted 24 Apr 1917
Source: Coast Defense Study Group, RCW Form 1 11 May 1926, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 158-159

Battery Leary-Merriam Plan 1919

The main battery complex became the Integrated Fire Control site for the NIKE Air-Defense launch site at Whites Point (1956-1975)

Current Status

Marine Exchange Traffic Center

No guns or carriages in place. The main battery complex was modified during the NIKE years and is currently the home of the Southern California Marine Exchange. Battery Merriam is exposed and covered with graffiti but Battery Leary is partially covered with other structures. The Marine Exchange Vessel Traffic Center sits atop the main battery complex.

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Location: On the Upper Reservation of Fort MacArthur, California. Maps & Images Lat: 33.712359 Long: -118.293791 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 293'

Sources:

• Fort MacArthur Museum
• Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums

Links:

Visited: 31 Jan 2009

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