Battery Cavallo

Battery Cavallo (1890-1910) - Battery Cavallo was originally constructed as a post U.S. Civil War gun battery but only armed as an Endicott Period 8 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Baker, Marin County, California. Battery construction started in 1872, was completed in 1874 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 1 Jun 1900 at a cost of about $ 107,504. Deactivated in 1910.

The center of Battery Cavallo showing the communications tunnels and Emplacement 10

Post U.S. Civil War (1870-1876)

Originally built between 1872 and 1876 as a Post U.S. Civil War coastal gun battery to mount thirteen cannons and two rifles. The original armament was to include three 20" Rodman cannons, ten 15" Rodman cannons and two 12" Parrott rifles. The earthworks battery was built in the shape of a broad arrow head pointed to the southeast. The left flank of the battery covered the inner bay including Angel Island and Alcatraz while the right flank covered the Golden Gate. Internally, each flank contained a parade separated by a central traverse from the other. Two masonry communications tunnels through the traverse connected the parades. Buried masonry magazines were located between the sets of emplacements. The rear of the battery was enclosed with an earthen parapet wall to provide for a land side defense.

Construction started in June 1872 and was 95% complete on 30 Jun 1876 when Congress cut off funding for all coastal fortifications. The guns were never mounted and the post was placed in caretaker status.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

The original battery was completed before 1876 but not armed until 1898 when three 8" converted Rodman rifles were emplaced on Iron Barbette carriages. The three 8" rifles were emplaced in emplacements 10, 11 and 13 of the old Battery Cavallo. Emplacements 10 and 11 were originally built for 15" Rodman cannons and emplacement 13 was originally built to mount a 20" Rodman cannon. Records indicate that the guns were mounted and in good condition as late as 31 Dec 1909. They were probably taken out of service the following year (1910).

Battery Cavallo Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
10	8" Muzzleloading Rifle	136.7"	Converted Rodman		?	Unk	Barbette, Iron	1890-1910	See note 1
11	8" Muzzleloading Rifle	136.7"	Converted Rodman		?	Unk	Barbette, Iron	1890-1910	See note 1
13	8" Muzzleloading Rifle	136.7"	Converted Rodman		?	Unk	Barbette, Iron	1890-1910	See note 1
Source: RCB, 31 Dec 1903, 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 180-181 Note 1: 10" Rodman smoothbore cannons with a 8" rifled sleeve inserted

Current Status

Part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) administered by the National Park Service. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Baker, Marin County, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.835332 Long: -122.473076 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

Links:

• California Military Museum - Battery Cavallo
• CDSG

Visited: 26 Aug 2009

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