Battery Slemmer

 (1900-1918) - Battery Slemmer was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 8 inch coastal gun battery on Fort McRee, Escambia County, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Ltc. Adam J. Slemmer, 4th U.S. Infantry, who was in temporary command of Fort McRee, Florida in 1861. Battery construction started in April 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 21 May 1900 at a cost of $ 113,806.47. Deactivated in 1918.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 8" M18888MII guns mounted on M1896 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two Taylor-Raymond shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant.



World War I (1917-1918)
Battery Slemmer's two 8"guns were removed for service abroad in March 1918 and one of the guns actually made it to France before the end of the war, the other gun did not. Battery Slemmer was not rearmed but a C.R.F. station was placed in emplacement #2 and a searchlight was placed in emplacement #1.

Current Status
Part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore on Perdido Key. Open access to all of the Fort McRee area. The remains of Battery Slemmer can be seen but are mostly buried in sand. The battery was originally a two story battery but only the very top level is now exposed and all of the original two stories below are buried in the sand. Normal access to the site is by boat but it is possible to hike along Perdido Key to the fort site. The fort is about five miles from the end of the nearest park road. No period guns or mounts in place.

Recent Blog Posts:
 * USForts - Fort McRee on Perdido Key, Florida

Sources:
 * Historic Structure Report and Resource Study, Pensacola Harbor Defense Project 1890-1947, Florida Unit, National Park service, March 1982

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