Battery Baldwin
Battery Baldwin (1903-1920) - Battery Baldwin was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Winfield Scott (2), San Francisco County, California. The battery was named in S.O. 105, 9 Oct 1902, after 2nd Lt. Henry M. Baldwin, 5th U.S. Artillery, who died of wounds received at Cedar Creek, Virginia, on 19 Oct 1864 during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1901, was completed in 1903 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 3 Dec 1903 at a cost of $ 11,119.89. Deactivated in 1920.
Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI rapid fire guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet carriages. The balanced pillar carriages allowed the gun to drop down behind the parapet for reloading, these guns were later modified to be fixed in the firing position and that significantly improved the rate of fire.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 73 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #73, Driggs-Seabury |
1903-1920 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 74 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #74, Driggs-Seabury |
1903-1920 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1,1 Mar 1920, 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 70-71, 215 Note 1: Guns removed & shipped to Watervliet 4 Aug 1920, carriages scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
World War I (1917-1918)
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. The guns of Battery Baldwin were not affected by the World War I redistribution but they were removed in the following 1920 disarmament program on 4 Aug 1920.
Current Status
Part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) administered by the National Park Service. No gun or mounts in place. The Battery is buried with only top portion exposed.
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Location: Fort Winfield Scott, San Francisco County, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.8024346 Long: -122.4651656 |
Sources:
- Kent, Matthew W., Harbor Defenses of San Francisco - A Field Guide 1890 to 1950, Copyright 2009, Blurb, ISBN 978-1-61584-163-9, page 19
Links:
- California Military Museum - Battery Baldwin
- National Park Service - Battery Baldwin
- Angelfire - Battery Baldwin
- CDSG
Visited: 22 Aug 2009
Battery Baldwin Picture Gallery
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