 |
In September of 1942 Battery
5 became operational on the
point at Fort Miles (see
map). These
weapons were used as an anti
motor torpedo boat (AMTB)
defense against small, fast
moving vessels that might
drop ordnance in the harbor
area. Since the larger
weapons were too big to
track and fire on a smaller
craft like the torpedo
boats, the US Navy ordered a
battery of 4 three-inch
rapid fire guns to be placed
near the tip of the cape to
address this threat.
The three-inch guns were
replaced later during the
war with more accurate and
more reliable 90mm AMTB
guns. |
|
|
Armament |
The table to the
right gives
statistical data for
the 3 inch and the
ordnance fired.
Information source:
Fort Miles Archives |
 |
|
The 3-inch arrives
on a flat bed truck
from the Naval
Surface Warfare
Center in Dahlgren,
VA. |
|
|
3-Inch Gun M1903 on
Barbette Carriage
M1903 |
|
Number Produced |
107 |
Ordnance Data |
|
Caliber |
3 inch |
Projectile Weight |
HE - 15 lbs |
|
Weight |
6000 lbs |
Projectile Length |
37.89 inches
(assembly) |
|
Powder Charge |
11.7 lbs |
Stored at Battery |
800 rounds |
|
Powder Bags |
Projectile / powder
casing assembly |
Central Storage
(Not at battery) |
400 rounds |
|
Muzzle Velocity |
2600 fps |
Battery Allowance |
800 rounds |
|
Maximum Range |
11,000 yds |
War Reserve |
1200 rounds |
|
Elevation |
-5 to + 85 degrees |
Table Legend
HE - High Explosive
AP - Armor Piercing
N/A - Information
Not Available. |
|
Traverse |
360 degrees |
|
Crew |
15 |
|
Barrel Life |
300 rounds |
|
|
|
Report of Completed Works |
|
General |
Utilities (cont'd) |
|
Battery Commenced |
15 MAY 1942 |
Electrical Source |
Commercial (to magazine
only) |
|
Battery Completed |
31 AUGUST 1942 |
Installed by |
|
|
Date of Transfer |
11 DECEMBER 1943 |
Electrical Characteristics |
120 AC / Single phase |
|
Cost to Date |
$11,400.00 |
No of Units and Capacity |
|
|
Construction Material |
Reinforced Concrete (mounts) |
Max KW req'd for utils. |
NONE |
|
Battery New or Modernized |
NEW |
Max KW req'd for non battle
conditions |
05 |
|
Trunnion Elevation in
Battery |
26.0 |
Commercial power provided |
YES - 2.0 Kw |
|
Utilities |
Auxiliary power unit |
NO |
|
Water Source |
NONE |
Type of Lighting Fixtures |
VAPORTIGHT |
|
Alternate Water Source |
N/A |
Dehumidifying Unit |
NONE |
|
Size of Main |
N/A |
How Ventilated |
Natural Draft |
|
Connected to Sewer |
NO |
How Heated |
NONE |
|
Type of Disposal |
N/A |
Table Legend
N/A - Not Applicable |
|
Type of Latrine |
N/A |
|
|
Support Structures |
|
Plotting Room: |
N/A |
|
Fire Control Towers: |
N/A |
|
Radars (SCR-296A): |
N/A |
|
