Battery Spencer
Battery Spencer (1897-1943) - Battery Spencer is a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 12" gun battery located on Fort Baker, California. Named after Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, a Revolutionary War hero. Battery construction was begun in 1893, completed in 1897 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 24 Sep 1897 at a total cost of $110,352.70. Deactivated in 1943 during World War II.
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Battery Spencer History
Battery Spencer was a casemated concrete gun battery with three M1888 12" guns mounted on long range Barbette M1892 carriages. One gun was moved in 1917 to Battery Chester at Fort Winfield Scott. The other two guns were removed in 1943.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12" Rifle | 436" | M1888 | 10 | Watervliet | Barbette Mounts, M1892, #4, Watertown |
1897-1942 | See note #1 | |
| 2 | 12" Rifle | 436" | M1888 | 16 | Watervliet | Barbette Mounts, M1892, #1, Watertown |
1897-1942 | See note #1 | |
| 3 | 12" Rifle | 436" | M1888MI | 17 | Watervliet | Barbette Mounts, M1892, #5, Watertown |
1897-1918 | See note #2 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1923, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, page 136-137, 215 Note #1: Guns and carriages salvaged 19 Nov 1942, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note #2: Gun transferred to Fort Miley, Battery Chester Carriage ordered salvaged 10 Jan 1927, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
Current Status
Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
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Location: Fort Baker, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.827894 Long: -122.481913 |
Sources:
- Battery Spencer NPS
- Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums
- California Military Museum
Links:
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