Battery Chamberlin

Battery Chamberlin (1904-1917) (1920-1948) - Battery Chamberlin was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Winfield Scott, California. The battery was named by S.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Capt. Lowell Chamberlin, 1st U.S. Artillery, a U.S. Civil War veteran who died in 1899. Battery construction started in 1903, was completed in 1904 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 24 Dec 1904 at a cost of $ 100,803.45. Deactivated in 1917. Reactivated and rearmed in 1920 and active until 1948.

Battery Chamberlin History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 disappearing carriages.

**Battery Chamberlin Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903	27	Watertown	Disappearing, M1903, #27, Wellman	1904-1917	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903	28	Watertown	Disappearing, M1903, #28, Wellman	1904-1917	See note 1
3	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903	26	Watertown	Disappearing, M1903, #30, Wellman	1904-1917	See note 1
4	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903	52	Watertown	Disappearing, M1903, #29, Wellman	1904-1917	See note 1
Source: RCB 31 dec 1910, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 98-99,215 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 31 Dec 1917 for use overseas. Carriages #27, 28, 30 ordered scrapped 26 May 1920. Carriage #29 transferred to Benicia Arsenal for spare parts. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

World War I

On 24 Aug 1917 it was reported that the four guns of Battery Chamberlin had been ordered dismounted for use abroad and on 18 Jul 1918 it was further reported that they had been transfered to service abroad. The gun cards indicate that these guns were removed and sent to the Watervliet Arsenal on 31 Dec 1917 for modification and further shipment to France. All four of the guns actually made it to France and they were all returned to the Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1919.

Three of the M1903 carriages were ordered scrapped 26 May 1920 and the fourth was sent to Benicia Arsenal for spare parts.

In 1920 Battery Chamberlin was rearmed with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Barbette carriages to provide a rapid fire defense against fast enemy surface craft. The guns were mounted in gun emplacements #2 and #3 after the emplacements were modified for the Barbette carriages at a cost of $ 3,502.44.

World War II

Modifications were made to Battery Chamberlin in 1942 and 1943 that gasproofed the plotting room, modified the loading platforms of emplacements #2 and #3 and added a power plant. These modifications were transfered for use on 23 Nov 1943 at a cost of $ 5,399.39.

In 1948 the gun were declared obsolete and scrapped. Battery Chamberlin was the last battery deactivated at Fort Winfield Scott.

Current Status

Part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) administered by the National Park Service. A single 6" M1903 gun, #9, mounted on M1903 carriage #2 is installed in gun emplacement #4. This gun and carriage was donated donated by the Smithsonian.

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Location: Fort Winfield Scott, California

Maps & Images

Lat: 37.794017 Long: -122.482608

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Elevation: 46.37'

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 37-38

Links:

References:

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