Battery Irwin

 (1903-1920) - Battery Irwin was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Monroe, Virginia. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903, in honor of 1st Lt. Douglas S. Irwin, 3rd U.S. Infantry, who served with distinction in the war against the Florida Indians and was killed 21 Sep 1846 at the battle of Monterey, Mexico. Battery construction started in Feb 1900, was completed on 31 Mar 1903 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 28 May 1903 at a cost of $ 12,500.00. Deactivated in 1920.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898MI pedestal carriages. This was a two story battery with the four guns mounted on the upper level and four separate magazines on the lower level. No shell or powder hoists were installed. The Battery shared the power house with Battery Parrott.



World War I (1917-1918)
The guns of Battery Irwin escaped the World War I redistribution but were caught up in the 1920 disarmament program and were transferred to Watervliet 23 Sep 1920.

Current Status
The Battery was rearmed in 1946 with two 3" M1902MI pedestal mounted guns with World War II shields as a saluting station. These two guns were deactivated in 1949 but remain in place in emplacements 3 and 4 of Battery Irwin.

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