Battery Duportail
Battery Duportail (1901-1931) - Battery Duportail was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Morgan, Alabama. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903 after Maj. Gen. Louis L. Duportail, Chief of Engineers (1777-1783), Continental Army, who served with distinction during the Revolutionary War and who died at sea in 1802 while en route to France. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 3 Jun 1900 at a cost of $ 172,646.05. Declared surplus in 1931.
Battery Duportail History
Part of the Harbor Defense of Mobile, Alabama.
Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888MII guns mounted on M1896 disappearing gun carriages.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888MII | 6 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1896, #27, Morgan | 1901-1931 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888MII | 7 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1896, #16, Bethlehem | 1901-1931 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 31 Dec 1918, RCB, 10 Oct 1903, 31 Dec 1907, 31 Dec 1909, 31 Dec 1910, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 138-139, 212 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered turned over to State of Alabama 24 Nov 1931 CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
World War I
The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere.
World War II
Current Status
Part of Fort Morgan State Park. No period guns or mounts in place.
|
{"selectable":false,"width":"500"} |
Location: Fort Morgan State Park, Alabama Maps & Images Lat: 30.227906 Long: -88.02304 |
Sources:
Links:
Visited: No
Battery Duportail Picture Gallery
|
Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |