Fort Saulsbury
Fort Saulsbury (1917-1946) - An Endicott Period reinforced concrete coastal fort established in 1917. Named for U.S. Senator Willard Saulsbury, Sr. who served in the U.S. Senate from Delaware 1859 through 1871. Deactivated 1946.
World War I
Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware.
Two World War I reinforced concrete 12" gun batteries were built, both started Aug 1917 and both completed in Dec 1920. The guns were proof fired 15 & 16 May 1930. The Fort was in caretaker status from 1918 until 1940.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Hall | 2 | 12" | LR Barbette Carriage | 1924-1945 | $ 839,586* | Army Guns |
| Battery Haslet | 2 | 12" | LR Barbette Carriage | 1924-1942 | $ 839,586* | Army Guns Guns to Battery 519, Fort Miles |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
World War II
In 1940 a construction program began to support the buildup for World War II. In 1942 the two guns from Battery Haslet were removed to Battery 519, Fort Miles and were emplaced in March 1943. Battery Hall was placed in reserve status 19 Jul 1944. The Fort became a POW camp for German and Italian soldiers. The last POW left Fort Saulsbury on 11 Jan 1946 and the Fort was deactivated.
Current Status
Private property, no period guns or carriages remain.
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Location: Slaughter Beach, Sussex County, Delaware. Maps & Images Lat: 38.9343347 Long: -75.3317177 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 131
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of The Delaware, (HDDEL-AN-45), 1 Jul 1945, CDSG
Links:
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Fort Saulsbury Picture Gallery
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