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Battery AMTB 6 - West Martello Tower (1943-1946) - Battery AMTB 6 West Martello Tower was a reinforced concrete World War II rapid fire 90mm gun battery on Fort Fort Taylor (2), Florida. AMTB stands for Anti Motor Torpedo Boat. Battery construction started and was completed in 1943. Deactivated in 1946.
 Battery AMTB 6 West Martello Tower Site View  Battery AMTB 6 West Martello Tower Gun Pad Disguised as a Gazebo
History
Part of the Harbor Defense of Key West.
The AMTB battery at the West Martello Tower consisted of two 90mm guns mounted on 90mm M3 gun mounts and two 90mm guns mounted on mobile carriages. The two mobile 90mm guns and carriages were stored inside the Martello Tower. Concrete pads for both the fixed guns were laid at the beach just west of the West Martello Tower. The battery had a dual mission of defense against fast enemy motor torpedo boats and enemy aircraft. The effective range of the guns was about 8,000 yards. Each weapon required a crew of 15, 9 men in the gun squad and 6 men in the ammunition squad.
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The above photos were taken at Fort Monroe, Battery Parrott
From FM 4-91:
"This weapon consists of the 90-mm gun M1 and top carriage M1A1 on the 90-mm gun mount M3. The mount M3 is of the turret type, the shielding being constructed of boiler plates. This boiler plate shield provide fragmentation protection only. No shielding is provided at the rear due to the requirements for service of the piece. A sighting port in the shielding in front permits sighting in direction by the gun pointer."
References:
- FM 4-91 - 90-MM Gun, Fixed Mount Service of the Piece
- FM 4-126 - Antiaircraft Artillery, Service of the Piece, 90-mm Antiaircraft Gun
- TM 9-373 - 90-mm Gun M1 and 90-mm Gun Mount T3 (M3)
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Battery AMTB 6 West Martello Tower Armament (edit list)
Empl
No
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Caliber
Type
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Barrel
Length
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Model
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Serial
No
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Manufacturer
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Carriage
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Service
Dates
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Notes
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| 1
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90mm Rifle
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186.15"
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M1
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A1
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5571
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Watervliet
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Pedestal Mount, M3, #215, General Motors
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1943-1946
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| 2
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90mm Rifle
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186.15"
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M1
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A1
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7153
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General Motors
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Pedestal Mount, M3, #231, General Motors
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1943-1946
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| 3
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90mm Rifle
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186.15"
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M1
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2906
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Watervliet
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Pedestal Mount, M1, #1122, York
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1943-1946
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| 4
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90mm Rifle
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186.15"
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M1
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3542
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Watervliet
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Pedestal Mount, M1, #3833, Worthington
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1943-1946
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Source:
1. 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 80-81
2. NARA RG165, E257 Box 68 - Bolling Smith
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 Battery AMTB 6 West Martello Tower Location
Current Status
Both gun pads are still visible but have been repurposed as gazebos. No period gun or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Taylor, Key West, Monroe County, Florida
Maps & Images
Lat: 24.5470939 Long: -81.7876822
- Multi Maps from ACME
- Maps from Bing
- Maps from Google
- Elevation: .....'
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Sources:
Links:
CDSG
Visited: 27 Dec 2009
Picture Gallery
Battery AMTB 6 West Martello Tower Gun Pad #1
Battery AMTB 6 West Martello Tower Gun Pad #2
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