Fort Story

Fort Story (1917-Cur) - Reservation acquired in 1914 and established as a Coastal Artillery fort in Feb 1917 during World War I. Named for Maj. Gen. John Patten Story, chief of the Artillery School at Fort Monroe.

Fort Story Aerial View

Loading a 16" Howitzer at Fort Story

World War I

As purchased in 1914 Fort Story consisted of several separate parcels of land. Parcel A was the main part of the base and contained Battery Pennington, the railroad artillery, the temporary batteries and searchlights. The other parcels contained mostly support facilities.

Fort Story World War I Battery (edit list)

Battery Click on Battery links below	No.	Caliber	Type Mount	Service Years	Battery Cost	Notes
Battery Pennington Battery Walke	4	16"	LR Howitzer Mounts	1921-1922-1922-1947	$ 332,174	Gun Positions 3 & 4 became Battery Walke in 1941
Battery Emergency A	2	6"	Pedestal Mounts	1917-1919	$ ?	Guns from Battery Montgomery (2), Fort Monroe, in surf
Battery Emergency B	2	5"	Pedestal Mounts	1917-1919	$ ?	Guns from Battery Rice, Fort Andrews, in surf
Source: CDSG

Fort Story Plan

World War II

Additional land was acquired during World War II and most of Cape Henry became part of Fort Story. Additional 16" guns were added along with anti-aircraft, ATMB batteries and several standard 200 series batteries. An offshore minefield was added to protect the approaches. Fort Story became the most heavily armed coastal battery on the east coast.

Fort Story World War II Battery (edit list)

Battery Click on Battery links below	No.	Caliber	Type Mount	Service Years	Battery Cost	Notes
Battery 120 Battery Ketcham	2	16"	LR Casemated Barbette	1941-1943-1943-1948	$ 1,553,592	Navy Gun (16" 1940 Program)
Battery 121	2	16"	LR Casemated Barbette	1942-1943-1943-1948	$ 1,881,850	Navy Gun (16" 1940 Program)
Battery 224 Battery Worcester	2	6"	Pedestal Mount	1940-1941-1941-1947	$ ?	Prototype for 200 series
Battery 225 Battery Cramer	2	6"	LR Shielded Barbette	1941-1942-1943-1948	$ 175,832
Battery 226	2	6"	LR Shielded Barbette	1942-1943-1943-1949	$ 234,602
Battery AMTB 19 - Fort Story Examination Battery	2	3"	Pedestal Mount	1942-1945	$ ?	Guns from Battery Irwin, Fort Monroe
Battery 155 - Fort Story (1)	4	155mm	Mobile Panama Mounts	1942-194?	$ ?
Battery 155 - Fort Story (2)	4	155mm	Mobile Panama Mounts	1942-194?	$ ?
Battery AMTB 21 - Fort Story	2	90mm	Fixed Pedestal Mounts	1942-1942-1943-1945	$ 5,844	Gun pads buried
Battery AMTB 22 - Fort Story	2	90mm	Fixed Pedestal Mounts	1943-1950	$ ?	In surf
Source: CDSG

Cold War

After the war the coastal gun batteries were decommissioned. By 1950 all of the batteries were inactive. An Army NIKE missile battery was located on Fort Story from 1958 to 1974.

Current Status

Fort Story is an active sub-installation of the US Army Transportation Center and Fort Eusis. In addition to the active Army units, also stationed at Fort Story are Army Reserve units, US Navy active and Reserve units, and a USMC section. The Coast Guard also maintains a presence at the Cape Henry Lighthouse.

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Location: Located on the tip of Cape Henry 18 miles east of Norfolk Virginia. Maps & Images Lat: 36.92739 Long: -76.020756 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation:

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 824
• NorthAmericanForts.com
• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Links:

• Fort Story

Picture Gallery

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  Fort Story 16" Howitzer

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