Battery Mendell

 (1905-1943) - Battery Mendell was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Barry, Marin County, California. The battery was named in G.O. 120, 22 Nov 1902 after Col. George H. Mendell, U.S. Corps of Engineers, who served with distinction in the U.S. Civil War, and who died at San Francisco, California, 19 Oct 1902. Battery construction started July 1901 and was transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 8 Jun 1905 at a cost of $ 128,016.00. Deactivated in July 1943.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895MI guns mounted on M1897 Disappearing carriages. The battery had a self-contained electric power plant powered by a 54 hp gasoline with a 25 kW generator. The gun carriage was equipped with two retracting electric motors but no traversing, elevating or depressing motors.

Originally equipped with two Hodges back delivery projectile hoists it was slated to be converted to Taylor-Raymond electric projectile hoists modified for long point projectiles in 1914 but available documentation does not reflect that it happened. Pictures taken in the early 1940s do show long point projectiles in use with these guns.



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

World War II (1941-1945)
The Battery remained active until 1943 when the casemating of Battery Wallace (2) was completed and that Battery was reactivated. The gun tubes were removed and sent back to the Watervliet Arsenal 6 Dec 1943. The carriages were ordered scrapped on 24 Jul 1943.

Current Status
No gun or mounts in place.

Sources:
 * , page 183-184

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