Battery Mellon

Battery Mellon (1904-1920) - Battery Charles Mellon was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Dade, Egmont Key, Pinellas County, Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Captain Charles Mellon, 2nd U.S. Artillery, who was killed in action with Seminole Indians at the head of Lake Monroe, Florida, 8 Feb 1837. Battery construction was completed and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 28 Jun 1904 at a cost of $ 15,333. Battery deactivated in 1920.

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  Battery Mellon Exterior Power Plant
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  Battery Mellon Gun Emplacement #1
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  Battery Mellon

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Tampa Bay.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with three 3" M1898MI Driggs-Seabury guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet mouunts. This was a two story, "L" shaped battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. On the left flank of the battery was the #3 magazine and a bombproof. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Howard.

Battery Mellon Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		110	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #110, Driggs-Seabury	1904-1920	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		111	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #111, Driggs-Seabury	1904-1920	See note 1
3	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		112	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #112, Driggs-Seabury	1904-1920	See note 1
Source: RCB, 31 Dec 1909, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 70-71 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet on 26 Aug 1920, carriages ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Mellon Plan

World War I (1917-1918)

The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Mellon were not affected by the World War I redistribution but the following 1920 disarmament program caused the battery to be deactivated, the guns shipped back to Watervliet and the carriages scrapped. The guns were transferred to Watervliet on 26 Aug 1920 and the carriages were ordered scrapped on 20 May 1920.

Current Status

Part of Egmont Key Florida State Park, Egmont Key, Pinellas County, Florida. No period guns or mounts in place.

Context

Location: Egmont Key Florida State Park, Egmont Key, Pinellas County, Florida.
Lat: 27.602° Long: -82.762° Elevation: 19' Bing, Google, OldMapsOnline, USGS, OHM

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Links:

• CDSG

Related:
2nd U.S. Artillery, Battery Howard, CDSG, CDSG Gun Card Collection, Coastal Battery Gun List, Coastal Gun Service Dates, Endicott Period, Fort Dade, NARA, New and Updated Batteries, SampleGunBatteryList, World War I,