Marshall MR WWII Radar Site

 (1944-1946) - A World War II U.S. Army Radar Site established in 1944. Used to provide fire control information to large caliber (6" and above) coastal gun batteries in the Harbor Defense of Charleston against enemy warships. Located on Marshall Military Reservation, a sub post of Fort Moultrie near Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina. Closed in 1946.

History


Constructed completed and transferred for use at Marshall MR on 18 May 1944. Construction costs to date of transfer were $ 11,250. The physical plant consisted of a transmitter building, two powerhouses each with a 1000 gallon fuel tank, a 100' steel tower and an antenna housing disguised as a Water tank atop the tower. The three buildings and the tower were prefabricated steel units furnished by the Signal Corps. The buildings and the tower were placed on concrete pads and footings installed by the Corps of Engineers who erected all of the structures. Access to the antenna on top of the tower was by a steel ladder and a small hoist operated by an electric motor.

The radar equipment was installed by the Signal Corps. It required 16.3kW of 120/240 AC, 1 phase, 60 cycle power furnished by commercial power, backed up by the two on-site generators. The two 25 kW generators were furnished and installed by the Signal Corps.

Site Operation
The Radar track data was provided by telephone to support Battery 520 as the primary battery and to secondary batteries including Battery 230. Battery 520 was a 12" casemated gun battery located on Marshall Military Reservation while Battery 230 was a 6" Gun Battery on Fort Moultrie. Battery 230 was built but never armed.

Closure
Closed in 1946. The SCR-296-A Radar equipment was declared obsolete by AG letter on 17 Jan 1946. The Tower and radar equipment were to be disposed of while the buildings were to be retained.

Current Status
No visible remains. the property is now occupied by the Sunrise Presbyterian Church.

See Also:
 * Fort Moultrie
 * Battery 520
 * US Radar Sets
 * SCR-296-A Radar Set
 * Western WWII Radar Sites

Sources:

Links:
 * RCW-Corrected to 15 Jun 1944, CDSG.