Battery Ledyard

Battery Ledyard (1900-1915) - Battery Ledyard was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 5 inch rapid fire coastal gun battery on Fort McDowell, California. The battery was named in S.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902 after 1st Lt. August C. Ledyard, 6th U.S. Infantry, who was killed in action on the Island of Negros, Philippine Islands, on 8 Dec 1899. Battery construction started and was completed in 1900. The battery was transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 1 Aug 1900 at a cost of $ 20,044.58. Deactivated in 1915 when the guns and carriages were removed.

Battery Ledyard from Access Road Above

Battery Ledyard Looking Toward the Bay

Battery Ledyard History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 5" M1900 rapid fire guns mounted on M1903 Barbette Pedestal carriages. The Battery itself was completed in 1900 but the 31 Dec 1903 RCB report indicates that neither the guns or carriages were mounted at the end of 1903. The carriage cards show that the M1903 carriages were not sent to Fort McDowell until 4 Aug 1905 and it is assumed that the Battery was armed shortly after their arrival.

The guns and carriages were shipped to Battery Call, Fort Miley in 1915.

Battery Ledyard Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	5" Rifle	258.5"	M1900		1	Watervliet	Barbette Pedestal, M1903, #14, Morgan	1905-1915	See note 1
2	5" Rifle	258.5"	M1900		7	Watervliet	Barbette Pedestal, M1903, #15, Morgan	1905-1915	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Mar 1920, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 90-91, 215 Note 1: Guns & Carriages shipped to Battery Call, Fort Miley in 1915, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Ledyard Plan

Current Status

Part of the Angel Island California State Park. No gun or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort McDowell, Angel Island, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.8564779 Long: -122.4415997 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 137.33'

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 128

Links:

Visited: 29 Aug 2009

Battery Ledyard Picture Gallery

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