Battery Bruff

Battery Bruff (1919-1920) - Battery Bruff was a reinforced concrete, Taft Period 5 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Funston, California. The battery was named after Col. Lawrence L. Bruff, an ordnance officer who died in 1911. Battery construction started in 1917, was completed in 1918 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 30 Jan 1919 at a cost of $ 3,572.16. Deactivated in 1920.

Battery Bruff History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

World War I

Originally built as an Taft Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 5" M1900 guns mounted on M1903 pedestal carriages. This was a small single story battery with some wooden construction including an earth covered wooden repository for ammunition storage. The guns were removed in 1921 and the carriages were ordered scrapped in 1920.

Battery Bruff Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	5" Rifle	258.5"	M1900		2	Watervliet	Pedestal Barbette, M1903, #16, Morgan	1918-1920	See note 1
2	5" Rifle	258.5"	M1900		13	Watervliet	Pedestal Barbette, M1903, #17, Morgan	1918-1920	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Sep 1923, 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 90-91, 214 Note 1: Guns and carriages both probably shipped to Fort Funston 18 Jun 1918. Guns transferred to Watervliet 10 Feb 1921, carriages scrapped 13 Dec 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Bruff Plan

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.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Map Point approximate. Fort Funston, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.7140582 Long: -122.5008202 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 39'

Sources:

• California Military Museum - Battery Bruff
• Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums

Links:

Visited: 24 Aug 2009

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