Battery Yates

Battery Yates (1905-1943) - Battery Yates was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Baker, California. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904 after Capt. George W. Yates, 7th U.S. Cavalry, killed at the Battle of Little Big Horn, 25 Jun 1876. Battery construction started in April 1903, was completed in December 1903 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 8 Jun 1905 at a cost of $ 41,406.82. Deactivated in 1943.

Battery Yates from Above

Battery Yates Emplacement #3 with Fort Baker in the Background

Battery Yates History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco. provided protection for the inner harbor mine fields.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with six 3" M1902MI rapid fire guns mounted on M1902 Barbette carriages.

Battery Yates Communication's Officer Room

This Battery consisted of six emplacements, each with it's own 9' by 15' magazine room and an associated utility room. The six utility rooms had various uses, two were store rooms, 3 were tool rooms and one was an oil room. A pentagon shaped Communication's Officer room was located between emplacement #2 and #3. An 11'6" by 21' guard room was located between emplacements #4 and #5. A separate latrine building was located about 100' to the left of emplacement #6. Electrical power was furnished initially from Battery Duncan, only 2.9 KW was required for lighting.

These guns used complete cartridges and the ammunition was stored that way in order to support a high rate of fire. For short periods of time the gun could support as much as 20 to 30 rounds per minute.

Battery Yates Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI		18	Bethlehem	Barbette pedestal, M1902, #18, Bethlehem	1905-1943	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI		19	Bethlehem	Barbette pedestal, M1902, #19, Bethlehem	1905-1943	See note 1
3	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI		20	Bethlehem	Barbette pedestal, M1902, #20, Bethlehem	1905-1943	See note 1 & 2
4	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI		21	Bethlehem	Barbette pedestal, M1902, #21, Bethlehem	1905-1943	See note 1 & 2
5	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI		22	Bethlehem	Barbette pedestal, M1902, #22, Bethlehem	1905-1943	See note 1 & 3
6	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI		23	Bethlehem	Barbette pedestal, M1902, #23, Bethlehem	1905-1943	See note 1 & 3
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Sep 1923, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 72-73, 215 Note 1: Guns and carriages transferred 27 May 1905, processed for salvage 7 Mar 1946 CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Ordered re-sited to Fort Point (3) 20 Apr 1942 Note 3: Temp relocation to Fort Cronkhite 30 Sep 1942

Battery Yates Plan

World War II

In 1942 four of the guns (emplacements #3 to #6) were ordered relocated to other locations in the San Francisco Harbor Defenses. Emplacements #3 and #4 were finally relocated to Fort Point (3) to a battery on the Barbette Tier in 1943. Emplacements #5 and #6 were first relocated to Battery Kirby Beach in 1942 and then to Battery Gates in 1943. All of the guns and carriages were ordered processed for salvage 7 Mar 1946.

Current Status

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

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Location: Fort Baker, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.833623 Long: -122.47317 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 76.4'

Sources:

• 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 141-142
• California Military Museum - Battery Yates
• AngelFire - Battery Yates

Links:

Visited: 19 Aug 2009

Battery Yates Picture Gallery

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

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  Battery Yates Emplacement #1
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  Battery Yates Emplacement #2
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  Battery Yates Emplacement #3
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  Battery Yates Emplacement #4
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  Battery Yates Emplacement #5
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  Battery Yates Emplacement #6
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  Battery Yates Emplacement #1 & BC
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  Battery Yates Emplacement #1 & #2 Magazines
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  Battery Yates Guard Room
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  Battery Yates Communication's Officer Room