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Principle Armament - Battery 519 |
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Battery 519 viewed from
Herring Point. The
structure is currently
undergoing extensive
restoration and will be open
as a living history museum
in the coming years.
Photo Credit: Mike
Rogers |
Operated by:
Battery C, 261st Coast
Artillery
In 1940, the Army had
planned to place two 16" gun
batteries at Fort Miles.
The second was to be just
north of Battery Smith, the
first 16" battery already
under construction, as
Delaware was considered high
on the defense priority
list. By late 1941,
Delaware's priority had
dropped substantially, and
the planned second 16"
battery (Construction #119)
was cancelled. The
structure saw new life as
Battery 519 when the war
department decided to place
two 12" guns there that had
been pulled from Battery
Haslet at Fort Saulsbury.
The battery was completed in
March, 1943 and was retained
until deleted in May, 1948.
The emplacement still exists
and will be the future home
of one of the largest coast
artillery museums in the
country. |
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Floor Plan |
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Armament |
The table to the
right gives
statistical data for
the 12 inch gun and
the ordnance fired.
Information source:
Fort Miles Archives |
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Battery 519 as it
appeared during the
war. Photo
Credit - Tom Maier |
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12 Inch Gun
M1895M1A2 on
Barbette Carriage
M1917 (Casemated) |
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Number Produced |
32 |
Ordnance Data |
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Caliber |
12 inches |
Projectile Weight |
HE - 700 lbs
AP - 975 lbs |
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Weight |
416,700 lbs |
Projectile Length |
49.27 inches |
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Powder Charge |
279 lbs |
Stored at Battery |
HE - 50 rounds
AP - 300 rounds |
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Powder Bags |
Weight - 69.73 lbs
ea
Length - 18.25" ea
Width - 12.25" ea |
Central Storage
(Not at battery) |
HE - 0 rounds
AP - 150 rounds |
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Muzzle Velocity |
2600 fps |
Battery Allowance |
HE - 50 rounds
AP - 300 rounds |
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Maximum Range |
29,300 yds |
War Reserve |
HE - 50 rounds
AP - 450 rounds |
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Elevation |
-5 deg to +45 deg |
Table Legend
HE - High
Explosive
AP - Armor Piercing |
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Traverse |
145 degrees |
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Crew |
48 |
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Barrel Life |
350 rounds |
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Report of Completed Works |
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General |
Utilities (cont'd) |
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Battery Commenced |
15 NOV 1942 |
Electrical Source |
Battery Power Room |
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Battery Completed |
31 AUG 1943 |
Installed by |
Ordnance |
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Date of Transfer |
16 FEB 1944 |
Electrical Characteristics |
Voltage: 460 AC
Phase: 3 |
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Cost to Date |
$857,000 |
No of Units and Capacity |
3 units at 187 KVA each |
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Construction Material |
Reinforced Concrete |
Max KW req'd for utils. |
25 |
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Battery New or Modernized |
New |
Max KW req'd for non battle
conditions |
50 |
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Trunnion Elevation in
Battery |
64.0 |
Commercial power provided |
YES
Capacity: 75 KVA |
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Utilities |
Auxiliary power unit |
NO |
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Water Source |
City of Lewes, Delaware |
Type of Lighting Fixtures |
Water Tight |
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Alternate Water Source |
Well system installed. |
Dehumidifying Unit |
Carrier 29,000 BTU per hour |
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Size of Main |
6 inches |
How Ventilated |
Muffler Gallery |
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Connected to Sewer |
YES |
How Heated |
Hot Water System in Power
Room |
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Type of Disposal |
Tank |
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Type of Latrine |
Gas Proof |
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Support Structures |
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Page Location:
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Visit
What Price Glory for your WWII
supply needs. Commission from
sales will be donated to the Fort
Miles Restoration Project! |
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© 2006 - 2010 FortMiles.org
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in
part
without permission is
prohibited.
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