Battery Center
Battery Center (1901-1920) - Battery Center was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort McRee, Escambia County, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. ....., dd mmm yyyy, after ..... Battery construction started in 1899, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 12 May 1901 at a cost of $ 20,603.84. Deactivated in 1920.
Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of Pensacola.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 10 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #10, Driggs-Seabury |
1901-1920 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 11 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #11, Driggs-Seabury |
1901-1920 | See note 1 | |
| 3 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 20 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #20, Driggs-Seabury |
1901-1920 | See note 1 | |
| 4 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 25 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #25, Driggs-Seabury |
1901-1920 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 22 Jan 1929, RCB, 31 Dec 1904, RCB, 31 Dec 1909, 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 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 28 Aug 1920, mounts ordered 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 Center were not affected by the World War I redistribution but the following 1920 disarmament program declared the battery obsolete and the guns were removed and the carriages scrapped.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort McRee, Escambia County, Florida Maps & Images Lat: 30.325272 Long: -87.317163 |
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