Battery Van Swearingen

Battery Van Swearingen (1898-1917) - Battery Van Swearingen was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 4.72 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Pickens, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903 after Capt. Joseph Van Swearingen, 6th U.S. Infantry, killed 25 Dec 1837 in the Seminole Indian Wars. Battery construction started in June 1898, was completed in October 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 29 Jun 1898 at a cost of $ 7,497.94. Deactivated in 1917.

Battery Van Swearingen History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Pensacola.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 4.72" Armstrong guns mounted on Armstrong carriages.

**Battery Van Swearingen Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	4.72" Rifle	218.4"	Armstrong	9718	Armstrong	Barbette Pedestal, #10836, Armstrong	1898-1917	See note 1
2	4.72" Rifle	218.4"	Armstrong	9719	Armstrong	Barbette Pedestal, #10841, Armstrong	1898-1917	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 22 Jan 1929, RCB, 31 Dec 1904, 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 86-87, 212 Note 1:

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 Pickens State Park. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Pickens State Park, Florida

Maps & Images

Lat: 30.327333 Long: -87.29526

Multi Maps from ACME
Maps from Bing
Maps from Google
Elevation: 20.5'

Sources:

Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library
Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 197
De Quesada, Alejandro M., A History of Florida Forts: Florida's Lonely Outposts, SC : History Press, Charleston, 2006, ISBN 1596291044, page 192

Links:

Gun Batteries NPS

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