Battery Miller

Battery Miller (1907-1918) - Battery Miller was a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 10" inch gun battery on Fort Winfield Scott, California. The three gun emplacements that make up Battery Miller were originally part of Battery Cranston. The battery was named 11 Oct 1907 for Brig. Gen. Marcus Miller, a U.S. Civil War veteran and former Commanding Officer of the Presidio of San Francisco who died 29 Dec 1906. Battery construction started in 1891, was completed in 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 14 Apr 1898 at a cost of $ 299,861.53. The cost was the combined cost of Battery Miller and Battery Godfrey. Deactivated 1 Jul 1918 when the guns were removed.

Battery Miller History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with three 10" M1888 guns mounted on M1894 carriages that were a part of Battery Cranston until 1907 when they became Battery Miller. In 1911 a plotting room and a BC Station was built at the rear traverse between emplacements #1 & #2.

Battery Miller Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	10" Rifle	340"	M1888		18	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1894, #27, Watertown	1907-1918	See note 1
2	10" Rifle	340"	M1888		15	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1894, #24, Cramp	1907-1918	See note 1
3	10" Rifle	340"	M1888		5	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1894, #34, watertown	1907-1918	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Mar 1920 & 1 Sep 1923, [[[CDSG]], Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 122-123, 215 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 1 Jul 1918, carriages ordered scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Miller Plan

World War I

All three rifles were removed for overseas service 1 Jul 1918 and shipped to Watervliet Arsenal for A1 modification. The war was over before they could be shipped overseas and they remained at the Arsenal until 28 Jul 1942 when they were all salvaged . The carriages remained in-place until 26 may 1920 when were ordered scrapped.

Current Status

Part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) administered by the National Park Service. No guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Winfield Scott, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.805833 Long: -122.476667 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: #1= 197.4', #2= 202.4', #3= 208.5'

Sources:

• Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums
• Kent, Matthew W., Harbor Defenses of San Francisco - A Field Guide 1890 to 1950, Copyright 2009, Blurb, ISBN 978-1-61584-163-9, page 27-29
• Angelfire - Battery Miller

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