Battery Crosby
Battery Crosby (1900-1943) - Battery Crosby was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 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. Franklin B. Crosby, 4th U.S. Artillery, who was killed in the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, on 3 May 1863 during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started 3 Jun 1899, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 2 Aug 1900 at a cost of $59,038.57. Deactivated in 1943.
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Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco.
Originally built between 1899 and 1900 as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1897MI rapid fire guns mounted on Limited Fire (L.F.) M1898 disappearing carriages.
The 108 lb. projectiles for the guns were served up from the magazines in the lower level of the Battery by two, back delivery, hand operated, Hodges Hoists. The separate 29.75 lb. powder bags were hand delivered to the loading level. These hoists were never motorized or modified for the "new" long point projectiles.
The range of the guns was listed as 14,509 yards.
Gun Emplacement #1
The gun card for 6" M1897MI gun #30 in emplacement #1 indicates it was manufactured at the Watervliet Arsenal and fired 96 rounds over it's lifetime. The gun was removed from service and shipped back to the Watervliet Arsenal on 6 Dec 1943 and was salvaged there on 23 Aug 1945.
The L.F disappearing carriage M1898 #6 in emplacement #1 was manufactured at the Watertown Arsenal and shipped to Fort Winfield Scott 14 Mar 1900. It was ordered scrapped 24 Jul 1943.
Gun Emplacement #2
The gun card for 6" M1897MI gun #28 in emplacement #2 was the same as #30 except that 89 rounds were fired over it's lifetime.
The L.F disappearing carriage M1898 #5 in emplacement #2 was also manufactured at the Watertown Arsenal and shipped to Fort Winfield Scott 14 Mar 1900. It was ordered scrapped 24 Jul 1943 along with #6.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6" Rifle | 277.85" | M1897MI | 30 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1898, #6, Watertown | 1900-1943 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 6" Rifle | 277.85" | M1897MI | 28 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1898, #5, Watertown | 1900-1943 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1,1 Sep 1923, 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 94-95, 215 Note 1: Guns shipped to Watervliet 6 Dec 1943, carriages ordered salvaged 24 Jul 1943, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
World War I (1917-1918)
World War II (1941-1945)
Used to protect the approaches to the Golden Gate and the mine fields in the main shipping channel. Declared obsolete in 1943 and the guns and carriages were removed that year. The guns were sent back to Watervliet Arsenal and the carriages were scrapped.
Current Status
Part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA) administered by the National Park Service. No gun or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Winfield Scott, San Francisco County, California Maps & Images Lat: 37.798412 Long: -122.48032 |
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 37
Links:
Visited: 22 Aug 2009
Battery Crosby Picture Gallery
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