Battery Trueman

Battery Trueman (1908-1946) - Battery Trueman was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Pickens, Escambia County, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Maj. Alexander Trueman, 1st U.S. Infantry, who was killed by Indians near Fort Recovery (1), Ohio, about April 1792. Battery construction started in 1905, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 7 Jan 1908 at a cost of $ 28,332.50. Moved to old Battery Cullum in 1942. Deactivated in 1946. Battery Trueman Emplacement #2 and Magazine Battery Trueman Emplacement #1 Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Pensacola. Originally sited to protect the inner submarine minefield. 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. Battery Trueman Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 25 Bethlehem Barbette, M1902, #25, Bethlehem 1908-1946 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 16 Bethlehem Barbette, M1902, #16, 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 Battery Trueman Plan World War I (1917-1918) Battery Trueman C.R.F. Station 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 Trueman was not affected by the World War I relocations. In 1923, a C.R.F. station was constructed 100' Southeast of Battery Trueman. The station was accepted for service 3 Mar 1923 at a cost of $3,295.38. On 18 July 1923, gun #24 tore loose from its cradle during the seventh shot of the day and killed Private Hugo W. Papp. World War II (1941-1945) In 1942 the Battery Trueman was relocated from its original location to old Battery Cullum. The guns and carriages were moved into the 10" gun emplacements of Battery Cullum and the magazines were rehabilitated. This construction began in March 1942, was completed in Dec 1942 and transferred for service in May 1944 at a cost of $ 20,330.00. Included in the rehabilitation were a new stair system and an ammunition hoist. At the conclusion of World War II, the battery was deactivated and the guns and carriages processed for salvage 16 May 1946. Battery Trueman Plan Relocated to Old Battery Cullum Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Pickens, Escambia County, Florida Maps & Images Lat: 30.329037 Long: -87.293823 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=19.91, Gun #2=19.95' Sources: Historic Structure Report and Resource Study, Pensacola Harbor Defense Project 1890-1947, Florida Unit, National Park service, March 1982 Links: CDSG Visited: 16 Dec 2009 Picture Gallery Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! Battery Trueman Sign Battery Trueman Magazines Battery Trueman Magazine Interior