Battery Strong

Battery Strong (1937-1946) - A World War II era Battery built in 1937 as a reinforced concrete coastal artillery battery on Fort Rosecrans, San Diego County, California. Named after Major General Frederick S. Strong (Cullum 2837), who graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in the Class of 1880 and was appointed a lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Artillery. General Strong served in World War I, died in 1935 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Construction began in February 1937 and was completed June 1937. The Battery was turned over for service 12 Oct 1942 at a cost of $100,725.59. Deactivated in 1946. Battery Strong Gun Emplacement #2 Battery Strong Emplacement #2 Magazine Entrance Battery Strong Emplacement #1 Magazine Entrance History Battery Strong was a battery of two, 8" rapid fire Barbette mounted guns on either side of an earth covered reinforced concrete support structure. Ammunition was served by hand trucks on narrow gage tracks. The gun tubes were mounted in April 1941. Battery Strong Plotting Room Plan An underground reinforced concrete plotting room was located about 540' south and 24 degrees east of gun emplacement #2. The plotting room was accepted for service 12 Oct 1942 at a cost of $19,145.63. On 12 Jan 1945 an SCR-296A fire control radar was placed in service to support Battery Strong. This radar site was located right at the Mexican Border and connected to the command structure and the Battery Strong plotting room by telephone land lines. Battery Strong Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 8" Rifle 369.12" Mark VI M3 A2 193L2 Watervliet Barbette M-1, #2, Watertown 1943-1946 See note 1 2 8" Rifle 369.12" Mark VI M3 A2 195L2 Watervliet Barbette M-1, #1, Watertown 1943-1946 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 28 Oct 1942, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 114-115 Note 1: Navy Gun transferred 7 Jan 1941, mounted Apr 1941. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Strong Plan Deactivation The battery was deactivated in 1946 but the battery structure has been repurposed and is currently in use. Current Status Part of NSC San Diego Point Loma Annex. No period guns or carriages in place. No public access. Location: NSC San Diego Point Loma Annex, San Diego County, California. Maps & Images Lat: 32.697067 Long: -117.248666 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 347' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of San Diego, (HDSD-AN-45), 1 Jul 1945, CDSG RCW Form 1, Form 7 - Battery Strong, Corrected to 28 Oct 1942, NARA, CDSG. Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 114-115 CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Links: National Park Service - Fort Rosecrans CDSG Visited: 2 Oct 2014