Battery Schenck (2)

Battery Schenck (2) (1900-1923) - Battery Schenck was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Morgan, California. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903 after 1st Lt. William T. Schenck, 25th U.S. Infantry, who was killed January 29, 1900 in action with insurgent Filipinos near Subic, Luzon, Philippine Islands. Battery construction started in 1899, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 8 Jun 1900 at a cost of $ 9,000.00. An additional gun emplacement was started in 1903, completed in 1904 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery 28 Apr 1904 at a cost of $ 7,965.97. Battery deactivated in 1923.

Battery Schenck

Battery Schenck (2) History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Mobile, Alabama.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898 guns mounted on M1898 Pedestal carriages. In 1904 an additional gun emplacement was added for one 3" M1902 gun mounted on a M1902 Pedestal carriage.

Battery Schenck Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI		1	Bethlehem	Barbette Pedestal, M1902, #1, Bethlehem	1906-1923	See note 2
2(1)	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1898MI		70	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #70, Driggs-Seabury	1903-1920	See note 1
3(2)	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1898MI		72	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #72, Driggs-Seabury	1903-1920	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1,Jan 1923, RCB, 10 Oct 1903, 31 Dec 1907, 31 Dec 1909, 31 Dec 1910, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 70-73, 212 Note 1: Carriages & guns arrived 14 May 1903. Guns #70 & #72 transferred to Morgan 3 Jul 1920. Carriages were ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Carriage & gun arrived 29 Jun 1906. Gun #1 transferred to Watervliet 11 Apr 1923. Carriage #1 transferred to Fort Barrancas 19 Feb 1923. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Schenck 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.

The three 3" guns at Battery Schenck escaped the World War I redistribution but got caught up in the 1920 disarmament program and on 27 Mar 1920 the A.G.O. approved the removal of the two M1898MI guns to Watervliet and the salvage of the carriages.

Current Status

Part of Fort Morgan State Park. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Morgan State Park, Alabama Maps & Images Lat: 30.229529 Long: -88.023459 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: #1 21.138', #2 21.09', #3 20.713

Sources:

• Template:CDSGgulf

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