Battery Wilkin

Battery Wilkin (1902-1928) - Battery Wilkin was a concrete Endicott Period 6" disappearing gun battery located on Fort Washington, Maryland. The Battery was named for Capt. Alexander Wilkin, 17th U.S. Indantry, on 15 May 1903. Battery construction started in June 1899, was completed 27 Oct 1902 and was transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 27 Oct 1902 at a total cost of $64,630.00. Deactivated in 1928.

Battery Wilkin Panorama

Battery Wilkin History

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Potomac.

Battery Wilkin was a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 6" gun battery with two M1897MI guns mounted on M1898 disappearing carriages. The carriages arrived at Fort Washington on 26 Jun 1900 from Watertown Arsenal. The guns were mounted on the carriages in August 1902. A total of 10 shell were fired by the battery for practice over it's lifetime. The guns were shipped to Aberdeen on 27 Aug 1929. The carriages were scrapped 9 Aug 1929.

Battery Wilkin Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	277.85"	M1897MI		25	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1898, #12, Watervliet	1902-1929	See Note 1 Rounds fired 5
2	6" Rifle	277.85"	M1897MI		12	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1898, #11, Watervliet	1902-1929	See Note 1 Rounds fired 5
Source: Coast Defense Study Group, RCW Form 1 1 Feb 1919, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 94, 209 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA, CDSG gun carriage card collection from NARA.

Current Status

On Fort Washington National Park, Maryland. No period guns or carriages are in place.

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Location: Fort Washington National Park, Maryland. Maps & Images Lat: 38.7045076 Long: -77.0276597 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 131.182'

Sources:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Links:

Visited: 4 Apr 2009

Battery Wilkin Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!

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  Battery Wilkin, Gun Emplacement #1 from Loading Level
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  Battery Wilkin Gun Emplacement #1 Counterweight Well
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  Battery Wilkin Gun Emplacement #1 Shell Tray
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  Battery Wilkin Gun Emplacement #1 Shell Hoist
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  Battery Wilkin, Gun Emplacement #1 Shell Tray from Above
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  Fort Washington, Battery Wilkin, Gun Emplacement #1 Counterweight Well Closeup, photo by John Stanton 4 Apr 2009