Battery O'Rorke

Battery O'Rorke (1905-1945) - Battery O'Rorke was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Barry, California. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904 after Col. Patrick Henry O'Rorke, who was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg 2 July 1963 during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1903, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 8 Jun 1905 at a cost of $ 24,462.76. Deactivated in 1945.

Battery O'Rorke from Battery Guthrie

Battery O'Rorke looking toward Battery Guthrie

Battery O'Rorke Panorama

Battery O'Rorke History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 3" M1903 rapid fire guns mounted on M1903 Barbette carriages with pedestal mounts. The Battery had a separate 9' by 15' magazines for each gun emplacement. No hoists were required even though the loading platform was one level above the magazine. Each round was complete with shell and powder in a self contained cartridge that weighed about 27 pounds and was easily carried.

The M1903 Barbette carriages and pedestal mounts were not transferred to Fort Barry until 2 Jun 1909 and and the Battery was not completely armed until 1910.

In addition to the magazines there was an oil room, a guard room and BC Station on the right flank of the battery. In 1919 a Coincidence Range Finder (C.R.F.) Station was added to the left flank of the battery at a cost of $ 1,560.83, it was accepted for service 25 Apr 1919.

The Battery contained no motors, no hoists and no power plant, electric power was furnished by Battery Guthrie's plant and later by commercial power.

Battery O'Rorke Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	169-5/8"	M1903		90	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #68, Watertown	1905-1945	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	169-5/8"	M1903		91	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #69, Watertown	1905-1945	See note 1
3	3" Rifle	169-5/8"	M1903		92	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #70, Watertown	1905-1945	See note 1
4	3" Rifle	169-5/8"	M1903		94	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #71, Watertown	1905-1945	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 74-75, 215. Note 1: Carriages sent to Battery 2 Jun 1909. Both guns and carriages declared obsolete 18 Oct 1945, processed for salvaged 7 Mar 1946.CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery O'Rorke Plan

World War II

In 1944 the war reserve and battle allowances of ammunition for the battery was:

Battery	Range Yards	Weight Pounds	Type Shell	War Reserve	Battle Allowance
Battery O'Rorke	10,900	15	HE	1200	800
HE = High Explosive AP = Amour Piercing

Current Status

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

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Location: Fort Barry, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.828202 Long: -122.532461 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 198.9'

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 188
• AngelFire - Battery O'Rorke
• California Military Museum

Links:

Visited: 19 Aug 2009

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