Battery Blaney

Battery Blaney (1901-1920) - Battery Blaney is a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 3" gun battery located on Fort Winfield Scott, California. Named by G.O. 105, 9 Oct 1902, for 2nd Lt. Daniel Blaney, 3rd U.S. Artillery who was killed at Fort Oswego New York 5 May 1814 during the War of 1812. Battery construction started Jul 1901, was completed in 1903 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 22 Mar 1907 at a total cost of $20,200. Deactivated in 1920 after World War I.

Battery Blaney Panorama 2009

Battery Blaney NPS photo

Battery Blaney C.R.F. Station

Battery Blaney History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

Endicott Period

Battery Blaney was a concrete gun battery with four M1898 3" rapid fire guns mounted on Masking Parapet M1898 Mounts. The M1898 mounts were modified around 1914 to the M1898MI standard by removing the counterweight, filling in the center well and fixing the height of the gun at firing level.

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.

All the Battery Blaney guns and carriages escaped the World War I redistribution but were caught in the 1920 Disarmament Program. All of the guns were ordered removed and shipped to the Watervliet Arsenal 4 Aug 1920. They were eventually declared obsolete 21 Nov 1931 and donated. All of the carriages were declared obsolete and ordered scrapped 20 May 1920.

Battery Blaney Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		75	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #75, Driggs-Seabury	1907-1920	modified by Frankford
2	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		23	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #23, Driggs-Seabury	1907-1920	modified by Frankford
3	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		12	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #12, Driggs-Seabury	1907-1920
4	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		95	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #95, Driggs-Seabury	1907-1920
Source: CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, page 70-71, 215 Note: all mounts modified to M1898MI standard (fixed height) about 1914. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Blaney Plan 1923

Current Status

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

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Location: Fort Winfield Scott, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.802016 Long: -122.461755 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 78'

Sources:

• Angel Fire
• California Military Museum
• National Park Service
• 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 22

Links:

Visited: 22 Aug 2009

Battery Blaney Picture Gallery

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