Battery Duncan

Battery Duncan (1900-1917) - Battery Duncan was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 8 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Baker, California. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Col. James Duncan, Inspector General's Department, who served with distinction in the Mexican-American War, and who died 3 Jul 1849. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 5 May 1900 at a cost of $ 57,535.00. Deactivated in 1917.

Battery Duncan History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 8" M1888 guns mounted on M1892 Barbette carriages. The two M1888 guns shared a magazine between them that had two 10' by 27' shell rooms and a single 16' by 17' powder room. Other rooms in the magazine complex included a 10' by 16' C.O. room, a 10' by 16' guard room, and a central 10' by 28' plotting room. The BC Station was situated at the top of the battery right over the powder room. A separate building housed the latrines, one for officers and one for enlisted.

In 1910 the plotting room and the BC Station were modified and updated at a cost of $ 495.35 for the plotting room and $ 816.80 for the BC Station.

Battery Duncan Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	8" Rifle	278.5"	M1888		8	West Point	Barbette, M1892, #2, Watertown	1900-1917	See note 1
2	8" Rifle	278.5"	M1888MII		24	Bethlehem	Barbette, M1892, #4, Watertown	1900-1917	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 106-107, 215 Note 1:

Battery Duncan Plan

World War I

The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. On 24 Aug 1917 the two guns at Battery Duncan were ordered dismounted for service abroad. The gun cards indicate that the guns were transferred 31 Dec 1917 to the Watervliet Arsenal and on 18 Jul 1918 a status report indicates that they were transferred for service abroad. These two guns never actually made it overseas for the war but they did both end up in Hawaii.

Current Status

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

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Location: Fort Baker, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.837204 Long: -122.474492 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 215.1'

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 140-141

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