Historic California Posts, Camps,
Stations and Airfields
Fort McDowell: Battery Drew
History
Fort McDowell's Battery Drew was an 8-inch
breech-loading rifle Model 1888, No. 36, which was manufactured
at the Watervliet Arsenal. It was mounted on a barbette carriage
Model 1892, No. 6 from the Watertown Arsenal. The battery was
named in War Department General Order 16, February 24, 1902,
in honor of Lieutenant Alfred W. Drew, 12th Infantry, who was
killed in action at Angeles, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1899.
It was decommissioned in 1915
This is a model 1888 8-inch
cannon, mounted in a Model 1892 barbette carriage, which is a
very heavy and stable gun platform. The gun weighed about 32,500
pounds and cost almost $17,000; the carriage weighted 84,000
lbs and cost about $14,000. This gun did not hide away like the
gun at Battery Wallace. Image courtesy
of John Soennichsen, Angel Island State Park
Another picture of the Battery
Drew 8-inch cannon. This gun was faster firing but less protected
than the more complicated "disappearing" installation
at Battery Wallace. These guns were loaded with a projectile
and separate bags containing gunpowder. Image courtesy of John
Soennichsen, Angel Island State Park
Report of
Completed Works - Seacoast Fortifications
The gun was removed from
Battery Drew before WWI. The specifications for the emplacement
were: Number of Bolts: 16, Circle Diameter: 9' 10", Parapet
Height: 6'. Virtually identical emplacements of two guns exist
at Battery Duncan, Fort Baker at the base of the Golden Gate
Bridge (Marin side). Many of these guns were modified to be mounted
on railway cars as mobile artillery, for WW I service, although
none were shipped overseas
