Battery Seminole

 (1904-1942) - Battery Seminole was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Taylor (2), Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900 after the Seminole Indians. Battery construction started Jun 1897, was completed Nov 1903 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 30 Jun 1904 at a cost of $ 112,001.65. Deactivated in 1943.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with eight 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1896MI mortar carriages. The battery was organized with two mortar pits with four mortars each. The two mortar pits are separated by a central magazine that services both pits. The magazine is on the same level as the mortars so no shell hoists are required.



World War I (1917-1918)
On 2 May 1918 Fort Taylor was directed to dismount and prepare for shipment four M1890MI mortars from Battery Seminole. The mortars were transferred to Morgan 18 Aug 1918 for modification. These mortars were intended for use overseas but the war ended before they could be processed. The shipped mortars were not returned to Battery Seminole and were later scrapped. Each mortar pit was left with two mortars in the #1 and #3 emplacement. This was a preferred configuration because it reduced crowding in the mortar pits and increased efficiency without significantly reducing rate of fire. This configuration was adopted by most of the 12" mortar batteries in the U.S..

World War II (1941-1945)
Obsolete by the start of World War II the four remaining mortars and carriages were scrapped early in the war.

Current Status
This Battery is now located on the Truman Annex of Naval Air Station Key West with no public access. The battery is visible from Fort Street. No period guns or mounts in place.

See Also:
 * Fort Taylor

Blog Posts: Sources: Links: 
 * Fort Zachary Taylor at Key West Florida