Battery Calef-Wilkeson

Battery Calef-Wilkeson (1897-1942) - A four gun Endicott Period Battery started in 1897 as a reinforced concrete Coastal Artillery Battery on Fort Rosecrans, San Diego County, California. Initially named for Bvt. Lt. Col. Bayard Wilkeson a U.S. Civil War Artilleryman. In 1915 the battery was divided and guns 3 and 4 became Battery Calef named after Col. John H. Calef, another artilleryman who fought in the U.S. Civil War. By 1925 the Battery was back in a four gun configuration as Battery Calef-Wilkeson. Construction began 21 Jan 1897 and was completed 31 Jun 1899. The Battery was turned over for service 15 Feb 1900 at a cost of $217,262. Listed for disposal 3 Nov 1942.

Battery Wilkeson 1900	Battery Wilkeson 1910, Gun #3 Firing

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Diego. Established to protect the entrance to San Diego Harbor.

Battery Calef-Wilkeson was a battery of three, 10" M1888MI guns and one 10" M1895 gun all mounted on M1896 disappearing carriages.

Battery Calef-Wilkeson Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	10" Rifle	30.76'	M1895		8	Watervliet	Disappearing M1896, #53, Watertown	1900-1942	See note 1
2	10" Rifle	30.6'	M1888MI		10	Bethlehem	Disappearing M1896, #7, Niles Tool	1898-1942	See note 1
3	10" Rifle	30.6'	M1888MI		10	Watervliet	Disappearing M1896, #5, Niles Tool	1898-1942	See note 1
4	10" Rifle	30.6'	M1888MI		4	Watervliet	Disappearing M1896, #6, Niles Tool	1898-1942	See note 1
Source: RCB 31 Dec 1909, RCW Form 1, 15 Sep 1925, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 124-125 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered scrapped 5 Nov 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Calef-Wilkeson Plan

Current Status

Part of Cabrillo National Monument. No guns or carriages in place.

---

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: Fort Rosecrans, San Diego County, California Maps & Images Lat: 32.682911 Long: -117.237843 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 36' (Gun Mounts)

Sources:

• National Park Service
• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of San Diego, (HDSD-AN-45), 1 Jul 1945, CDSG

Links:

• CDSG

Visited:

Battery Calef-Wilkeson Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!