Battery Seminole

Battery Seminole (1904-1942) - Battery Seminole was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Taylor (2), Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900 after the Seminole Indians. Battery construction started Jun 1897, was completed Nov 1903 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 30 Jun 1904 at a cost of $ 112,001.65. Deactivated in 1943.

Battery Seminole History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Key West.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with eight 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1896MI mortar carriages. The battery was organized with two mortar pits with four mortars each. The two mortar pits are separated by a magazine and each is flanked by a magazine, all on the same level as the mortars.

Battery Seminole Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
A1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		44	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #102, Robert Poole	1904-1942	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		41	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #100, Robert Poole	1904-1917	See note 2
A3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		40	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #130, Robert Poole	1904-1942	See note 1
A4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		42	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #101, Robert Poole	1904-1917	See note 2
B1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		26	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #132, Robert Poole	1904-1942	See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		25	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #93, Robert Poole	1904-1917	See note 2
B3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		24	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #131, Robert Poole	1904-1942	See note 1
B4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		43	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #92, Robert Poole	1904-1917	See note 2
Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Jun 1919, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 140-143, 211 Note 1: Guns & carriages ordered scrapped 6 Dec 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns transferred to Morgan 18 Aug 1918. Carriages ordered scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Seminole 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 2 May 1918 Fort Taylor was directed to dismount and prepare for shipment four M1890MI mortars from Battery Seminole. The mortars were transferred to Morgan 18 Aug 1918 for modification. These mortars were intended for use overseas but the war ended before they could be processed. The shipped mortars were not returned to Battery Seminole and were later scrapped. Each mortar pit was left with two mortars in the #1 and #3 emplacement. This was a preferred configuration because it reduced crowding in the mortar pits and increased efficiency without significantly reducing rate of fire. This configuration was adopted by most of the 12" mortar batteries.

World War II

Obsolete by the start of World War II the remaining mortars and carriages were scrapped early in the war.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Taylor (2), Florida Maps & Images Lat: 24.548914 Long: -81.8045908 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 11.49'

Sources:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Links:

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