Battery Cranston

Battery Cranston (1898-1942) - Battery Cranston was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Winfield Scott, San Francisco County, California. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after 1st. Lt. Arthur Cranston, 4th U.S. Artillery, who was killed at the Lava Beds, California, on 26 Apr 1873, in action against Modoc Indians. Battery construction started 10 Jun 1897, was completed in 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 11 Jun 1898 at a cost of $ 55,431.97. Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 10" M1888MII guns mounted on M1896 carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two electric Taylor-Raymond back delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Both guns were provided with electrical retracting motors. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.

Battery Cranston Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	10" Rifle	340"	M1888MII		7	Bethlehem	Disappearing, M1896, #29, Bethlehem	1898-1942	See note 1
2	10" Rifle	340"	M1888MII		13	Bethlehem	Disappearing, M1896, #28, Bethlehem	1898-1942	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Mar 1920, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 124, 215 Note 1: Guns & carriages ordered scrapped 21 Nov 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Cranston Plan

World War I (1917-1918)

Both of the 10" guns of Battery Cranston were reported as listed for transfer for service elsewhere (overseas) on 18 Jul 1918. The guns were later listed for remounting and retention after the war ended.

World War II (1941-1945)

Both the guns and the carriages were ordered scrapped 21 Nov 1942. There was some indication that the gun breech mechanisms were retained for study because of the large number of rounds fired by both guns (Over 200) and some carriage parts were retained as spares for an unknown period of time.

Current Status

Part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) administered by the National Park Service. No gun or mounts in place. The Battery has been converted for use by the Golden Gate Bridge and Transportation District as maintenance offices and workshops. Not open to the general public.

---

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: Fort Winfield Scott, San Francisco County, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.807171 Long: -122.476635 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 199.9'

Sources:

• Kent, Matthew W., Harbor Defenses of San Francisco - A Field Guide 1890 to 1950, Copyright 2009, Blurb, ISBN 978-1-61584-163-9, page 26-27
• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project Harbor Defenses of San Francisco, (CCA-P-SFB), 15 Nov 1945, CDSG

Links:

• CDSG

Visited: 22 Aug 2009

Battery Cranston Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!