Battery Wagner (2)

 (1901-1917) - Battery Wagner was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 5 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Baker (1), Marin County, California. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 17 Dec 1904 after 1st Lt. Orlando G. Wagner, U.S. Engineers, Bvt. Major, mortally wounded at the U.S. Civil War siege of Yorktown, Virginia on April 16, 1862. Battery construction started in 1899, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 12 Aug 1901 at a cost of $ 25,000. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 5" M1897 guns mounted on M1896 Balanced Pillar carriages. Each of the two gun emplacements has a 13' 3" by 24' 9" magazine located on the lower floor with the gun mounted on the upper level. There are no powder or shell hoists and the ammunition is brought up from below as a complete cartridge. There are two 10' by 16' rooms, one for the guard detail and one for the battery commanding officer. On the right side of the battery are the latrines and on the left is an oil room. Electrical power was provided from Battery Spencer for lighting only.

In 1910 a fire control station for Battery Wagner bas built about 110' behind and above the Battery, it was accepted for service 5 Aug 1910 at a cost of $4,850.00.



World War I (1917-1918)
On 24 Aug 1917 the two 5" M1897 guns in Battery Wagner were ordered dismounted for use abroad. By 18 Jul 1918 they were noted as having been transferred for service abroad. The gun cards indicate that the guns were transferred on 31 Dec 1917 to Morgan Engineering for conversion to wheeled carriages. These guns did make their way to France in August of 1918 and returned 7 Jun 1919 to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). Battery Wagner was not rearmed.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place. On this visit the battery was covered with graffiti. Easy access via unpaved road from the Battery Spencer parking area.

Sources: Links: 
 * , page 146
 * AngleFire - Battery Wagner