Battery Payne
Battery Payne (1908-1946) - Battery Payne was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Pickens, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904 after Col. Matthew M. Payne, 2nd U.S. Artillery, who served with distinction during the Mexican-American War, and died 1 Aug 1862. Battery construction started 1904, was completed 1904 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 7 Jan 1908 at a cost of $ 28,102.50. Deactivated in 1946.
Battery Payne History
Part of the Harbor Defense of Pensacola.
Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902MI guns mounted on M1902 Barbette carriages. This battery was a two story battery with the guns and carriages on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. There were two powder rooms and a single shell room between them. No powder or shell hoists were provided. Electric power for lighting was provided by the Fort Pickens central power plant.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3" Rifle | 154.35" | M1902MI | 24 | Bethlehem | Pedestal, M1902, #24, Bethlehem | 1908-1946 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 3" Rifle | 154.35" | M1902MI | 17 | Bethlehem | Pedestal, M1902, #17, Bethlehem | 1908-1946 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Nov 1920, 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 72-73, 212 Note 1: Guns and carriages processed for salvage 16 May 1946. 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. Battery Payne was not affected by the World War I relocations.
World War II
At the conclusion of World War II the battery was deactivated and the guns and carriages processed for salvage 16 May 1946.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Pickens, Florida Maps & Images Lat: 30.328055 Long: -87.296183 |
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Visited: 16 Dec 2009
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