Battery Osceola

 (1900-1943) - Battery Osceola was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Taylor (2), Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900 after Osceola, the Seminole Indian chief who Zachary Taylor battled in 1836 during the Second Seminole War. Battery construction started Jun 1898, was completed Aug 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 3 Feb 1900 at a cost of $ 112,951.48. Deactivated in 1943.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888MI1/2 guns mounted on M1892 Barbette carriages. The Battery was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. The weight of the 12" shells require that shell hoists be used to transport the shells from the magazine up to the guns. The shell hoists originally provided were electric motor driven chain hoists manufactured by Ellicott Machine Company.



World War I
Battery Osceola's guns were not affected by the World War I redistribution. The original shell hoists were replaced in 1918 with Taylor-Raymond back delivery electric hoists. The battery was also modified to handle the newer long point shells. The new hoists were accepted 31 Jan 1918.

In 1921 a splinterproof room was added to the platform between the guns and a reserve power plant was added to the power room. The changes were accepted in June 1921.

World War II
The 12" guns of Battery Osceola were obsolete by the time World War II began and late in 1943 the guns and carriages were scrapped.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.

Blog Posts:
 * Fort Zachary Taylor at Key West Florida

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