Battery Saffold

 (1898-1942) - Battery Saffold was a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 12" inch gun battery on Fort Winfield Scott (2), California. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Captain Marion M. Saffold, 13th U.S. Infantry, who was killed in action at Cavite, Island of Luzon, Philippine Islands on 8 Oct 1899. Battery construction started in 1897 was completed in 1897 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 4 Feb 1898 at a cost of $ 107,409.04. The cost is the combined cost of Battery Saffold and emplacement #3 of Battery Lancaster. Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Battery Saffold was initially built as a 12", two gun, concrete battery with one M1888MII rifle and one M1888 rifle, both mounted on M1892 Barbette 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 electric Taylor-Raymond back delivery shell hoists installed in 1908. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant and an emplacement power plant.

An existing crows nest observation station was modified into a BC Station that was located at the rear of the traverse between gun emplacements #1 and #2. The BC Station was accepted for service along with the battery on 4 Feb 1898 at a cost of $ 1,750.00.



World War I (1917-1918)
The 12" guns of were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Saffold was obsolete at the beginning of the war and slated to be deactivated as the new batteries of the modernization program came on line. The guns and carriages were ordered salvaged on 19 Nov 1942 as a part of the first large scale scrap drive of World War II.

Current Status
No gun or mounts in place.

Sources:
 * , page 36

Links: 
 * California Military Museum - Battery Saffold