Battery Godfrey

Battery Godfrey (1896-1942) - Battery Godfrey was a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 12" inch gun battery on Fort Winfield Scott, California. The battery was named by General Order 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Capt. George J. Godfrey, 22nd U.S. Infantry, killed in action 3 Jun 1899 in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. Battery construction started in 1892, was completed in 1896 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 19 Aug 1896. Guns and carriages scrapped 19 Nov 1942.

Battery Godfrey History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

Endicott Period

Battery Godfrey was the first 12" Gun battery built on Fort Winfield Scott and the first in the United States. It was initially built as a 12", three gun, concrete battery with M1888 rifles mounted on M1892 Barbette carriages. Construction began in 1892 and was completed in 1896 and it was transfered for service 19 Jul 1896 but the last gun carriage did not arrive until 21 Jan 1897. The battery was named for Capt. Godfrey in 1902.

**Battery Godfrey Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	440"	M1888	9	Watervliet	Barbette, M1892, #6, Watertown	1896-1942	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	440"	M1888	6	Watervliet	Barbette, M1892, #3, Watertown	1896-1942	See note 1
3	12" Rifle	440"	M1888	4	Watervliet	Barbette, M1892, #2, Watertown	1896-1942	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Mar 1920, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 136, 215 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered salvaged 19 Nov 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

World War I

World War II

Current Status

No gun or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Winfield Scott, California

Maps & Images

Lat: 37.803611 Long: -122.477222

Multi Maps from ACME
Maps from Bing
Maps from Google
Elevation: #1=271.14', #2=271.14', #3=276.15'

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 32

Links:

References:

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