Battery Howe (2)
Battery Howe (2) (1919-1945) - Battery Howe (2) was a reinforced concrete, Taft Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Funston, San Francisco County, California. The battery was named after Brigadier General Walter Howe (Cullum 2200) who died in 1915. Battery construction started in 1917, was completed in 1918 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 30 Jan 1919 at a cost of $ 8,355.93. Deactivated in 1945.
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World War I (1917-1918)
Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.
Originally built as an Taft Period concrete coastal mortar battery with four 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1896MI mortar carriages. This was an unusual mortar battery because all four of the mortars were in-line and the mortar pits were not physically separated.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 12" Mortar | 140" | M1890MI | 23 | Builders | Mortar, M1896MI, #96, Robert Poole | 1919-1945 | See note 1 | |
| A2 | 12" Mortar | 140" | M1890MI | 28 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #95, Robert Poole | 1919-1945 | See note 1 | |
| B1 | 12" Mortar | 140" | M1890MI | 46 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #80, Robert Poole | 1919-1945 | See note 1 | |
| B2 | 12" Mortar | 140" | M1890MI | 22 | Bethlehem | Mortar, M1896MI, #79, Robert Poole | 1919-1945 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Oct 1927, 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 140-143, 214 Note 1: | |||||||||
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. The mortars of Battery Howe were apparently slated for overseas use but were ordered remounted and retained.
World War II (1941-1945)
The mortars and carriages of Battery Howe (2) were ordered salvaged on 7 Feb 1945, as World War II drew to a close.
Current Status
Part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) administered by the National Park Service. This battery has been destroyed and probably buried under the great highway. No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Funston, San Francisco County, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.726944 Long: -122.506111 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project Harbor Defenses of San Francisco, (CCA-P-SFB), 15 Nov 1945, CDSG
Links:
Visited: 24 Aug 2009
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