Battery Irwin (1903-1920) - Battery Irwin was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Monroe, Virginia. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903, in honor of 1st Lt. Douglas S. Irwin, 3rd U.S. Infantry, who served with distinction in the war against the Florida Indians and was killed 21 Sep 1846 at the battle of Monterey, Mexico. Battery construction started in Feb 1900, was completed on 31 Mar 1903 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 28 May 1903 at a cost of $ 12,500.00. Deactivated in 1920.
Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of Chesapeake Bay.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898MI pedestal carriages. This was a two story battery with the four guns mounted on the upper level and four separate magazines on the lower level. No shell or powder hoists were installed. The Battery shared the power house with Battery Parrott.
World War I (1917-1918)
The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Irwin escaped the World War I redistribution but were caught up in the 1920 disarmament program and were transferred to Watervliet 23 Sep 1920.
The Battery was rearmed in 1946 with two 3" M1902MI pedestal mounted guns with World War II shields as a saluting station. These two guns were deactivated in 1949 but remain in place in emplacements 3 and 4 of Battery Irwin.
Visited: 22 Jul 2010
Battery Irwin Picture Gallery