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Post by The Phantom on Jul 26, 2009 10:39:35 GMT 8
FROM "CORREGIDOR, SAGA OF A FORTRESS" BY THE BELOTE BROTHERS
" WHEN ARMED AND RENAMED FORT DRUM, EL FRAILE, ( THE FRIAR) WAS UNIQUE IN AMERICAN SEACOAST SERVICE. THE ENGINEERS RAZED THE TINY ROCK TO THE WATER LINE, ERECTED A TWENTY -TO 30 FOOT THICK CONCRETE CASEMENT AROUND IT, AND THEN DECKED IT OVER TO CREATE AN ALL BUT IMPREGNABLE FORTRESS.
AS COMPLETED SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRST WORLD WAR, FORT DRUM LOOKED LIKE A SQUAT BATTLESHIP, OR MORE PRECISELY A MONITOR, THRUSTING ITS BOW INTO THE CHINA SEA.
4 SIX INCH RIFLES FOR MINEFIELD DEFENSE BRISTLED FROM ARMORED CASEMENTS IN THE REAR; TWO MASSIVE TWIN GUN 14 INCH TURRETS, ONE ABOVE THE OTHER, DOMINATED IT'S BROAD FORE DECK.
A CAGE MAST TOPPED BY A SEARCHLIGHT AND THE CARETAKERS SHACK ON THE STERN COMPLETED THE SHIP LIKE EFFECT.
CURRENTS PASSING THE FORT CREATED LIKE THE BOW OF A MOVING WARSHIP, AND MORE THAN ONE AFTERWARD EMBARRASSED NAVY SKIPPER, SO REPORTED IT, ESTIMATING ITS SPEED AT 3 TO 5 KNOTS!
THE CHALLENGING ENGINEERING FEAT OF BUILDING FORT DRUM TOOK FROM 1909 TO 1919 BUT WAS WORTH THE TIME AND COST.
THE BOOMING SALVOS OF THE "CONCRETE BATTLESHIP" PROVIDED MORE SUPPORT FOR THE DEFENDERS AND MORE TROUBLE FOR THE JAPANESE ATTACKERS THAN ANY OTHER INSTALLATION IN THE HARBOR DEFENSES."
That established, what was unique about these 14 inch guns for the day?
And where can well maintained turrets like those on Drum be found today?
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Post by okla on Jul 26, 2009 23:48:13 GMT 8
hey phantom...could it be possible that anything like the armament at fort drum exist today at singapore? ? the osphrey booklet, "american defenses of corregidor and manila bay 1898-1945" states that these turrets were the only purpose built turrets ever installed by the us army. i am sure you are well aware of this little bit of info, but thought i would toss it in the pot.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2009 1:03:07 GMT 8
I don't believe that you could find the same 14" turrets anywhere else in the world, as the US Army, rather than the US Navy designed, contracted and oversaw their construction from start to finish.
However, in terms of overall coastal artillery turrets, there are still a number of them in existance in the Scandanavian countries. I know that Finland has a two-gunned, 12" gun turret that is still actively part of their military and Norway has several German veterans from WWII that were originally meant to be installed in their battleships. They were later placed in Norway to counter a possible Allied invasion. IIRC, they are 15" guns
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Post by okla on Jul 27, 2009 1:25:30 GMT 8
hey guys...wasnt there an effort to remount the turret/turrets from one of the damaged/sunk battleships at pearl harbor on the coast of oahu????maybe i am rushing into senility, but i am fairly sure that this was planned or even happened. help me with this please!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2009 2:07:12 GMT 8
You are correct Okla! The Arizona's two after turrets and their guns were removed and emplaced in two coastal battery emplacements, known as "Battery Arizona" and "Battery Pennsylvania." IIRC, they covered the west coast of Oahu and also Mokapu Point. Construction of the two batteries was slow and the first test rounds were not fired until August 1945.
The guns of Arizona's No.2 turret were removed and later emplaced aboard the USS Nevada.
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Post by okla on Jul 27, 2009 6:20:38 GMT 8
hey john....thanks for the detailed info. it's good to know that i am not quite ready for the old folks home. i knew that i had read or heard about this transfer of naval ordnance from ship to shore. just didnt know or had forgotten whether it ever actually took place.
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Post by mapmaster on Jul 27, 2009 19:09:12 GMT 8
Turreted Seacoast Guns in Australia
Hi
Although certainly not in the same league as Fort Drum, Western Australia has a preserved turreted Coastal Artillery battery. This is Oliver's Hill Battery on Rottnest Island to the west of the Port of Fremantle.
The Battery consists of 2 x 9.2 inch BL MkX Equipments on Garrison Mountings MkVII. The Guns are identified as HI and H2. These guns had a range 29,500 yards.
The ammunition handling areas are below the guns. There is also a system of tunnels containing magazines, generators, first aid posts and other rooms constructed under the gun emplacements. The latter were serviced by a light railway.
Regards
mapmaster
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Post by okla on Jul 27, 2009 23:16:55 GMT 8
hey mapmaster....many thanks for posting the photos of the australian emplacements. they seem to have been kept in top notch shape waiting for the enemy that never came. good stuff.
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