Battery O'Rorke
Battery O'Rorke (1905-1945) - Battery O'Rorke was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Barry, California. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904 after Col. Patrick Henry O'Rorke, who was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg 2 July 1963 during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1903, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 8 Jun 1905 at a cost of $ 24,462.76. Deactivated in 1945.
Battery O'Rorke History
Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Barbette carriages.
Template:FtBarryBattery O'Rorke
World War I
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.
World War II
In 1944 the war reserve and battle allowances of ammunition for the battery was:
| Battery | Range Yards |
Weight Pounds |
Type Shell |
War Reserve |
Battle Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Rathbone | 16,600 | 15 | HE | 1200 | 800 |
| HE = High Explosive AP = Amour Piercing | |||||
Current Status
Part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) administered by the National Park Service. No gun or mounts in place.
|
{"selectable":false,"width":"500"} |
Location: Fort Barry, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.828202 Long: -122.532461 |
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 188
Links:
Visited: 20 Aug 2009
Battery O'Rorke Picture Gallery
|
Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |