Battery Kirby Beach

Battery Kirby Beach (1943-1944) - Battery Kirby Beach was a temporary World War II 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Baker, California. The battery was named after the beach below. Battery construction started 4 Aug 1942, was completed 12 Aug 1942 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 1 Jun 1943 at a cost of $ 955.78. Deactivated in 1944.

Battery Kirby Beach History

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

World War II

Originally built as a World War II concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902MI guns mounted on M1902 Barbette pedestal mounts as a temporary Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat (AMTB) battery. The battery consisted of two octagonal concrete pads with mounting bolts for the M1902 Barbette pedestal mounts. Battery Kirby, which had been abandoned in 1941, was located just behind Battery Kirby Beach and probably provided support and storage for munitions and supplies. The two M1902MI guns and carriages on this battery were relocated to Battery Fort Point when the regular AMTB battery, Battery AMTB - Gravelly Beach became operational in 1944.

**Battery Kirby Beach Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI	22	Bethlehem	Barbette pedestal, M1902, #22, Bethlehem	1943-1944	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI	23	Bethlehem	Barbette pedestal, M1902, #23, Bethlehem	1943-1944	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Sep 1923, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 72-73, 215 Note 1: Shipped to Battery Fort Point in 1944

Current Status

Part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) administered by the National Park Service. No period guns or mounts in place. The #2 concrete pad is visible, #1 pad is not visible.

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Location: Fort Baker, California

Maps & Images

Lat: 37.827041 Long: -122.490125

Multi Maps from ACME
Maps from Bing
Maps from Google
Elevation: #1 34.49' #2 44.63' both are pad surface elevations

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 149

Links:

Visited: 20 Aug 2009