Post by fots2 on Mar 20, 2009 21:53:12 GMT 8
There has always been some uncertainty over the origin of the 12” gun barrel at Bottomside north of the church. A few months ago I found a website on Battery Kirby near San Francisco, California. It details information on the battery and states that the two barrels were sent to Harbor Defense in Manila for Corregidor’s Battery Cheney. On my February trip to Corregidor I thought I would record the barrel number and then we would know for sure.
Quoted from that website:
The following is information on the Model 1895 # 12 & 16
Emplacement #1 and # 2. The reference height of the crest=35.3 ft above mean low water.
Gun # 1 Model 1895 # 12 was mounted and emplaced October 10 1900, under the supervision of 2nd Lt. H.B. Clarke, Limits of elevation of gun as mounted and emplaced:10.14' elevation; 1.05 depression, and the number of shots fired was 32. Azimuth and Altitude test made by Otto Von Gildeen, January 2nd and 8th 1901. This gun was dismounted Sept 21 1933 and sent to Fort Scott and then on Sept 27 1933 on orders # E-4174, from the Chief of Ordnance was shipped on the Ludington to H.D Manila and Subic Bay. This gun was emplaced in Battery Cheney on Corregidor.
Gun # 2 Model 1895 # 16 was mounted and emplaced September 20 1900, under the supervision of 2nd Lt H.B. Clarke, Limits of elevation of gun as mounted and emplaced:10.12' elevation; 1.11 depression, and the number of shots fired was 31. Azimuth and Altitude test made by Otto Von Gildeen, January 2nd and 8th 1901. This gun was dismounted in the early part of 1941, and sent to HD Manila and Subic Bay, and was a spare for Battery Cheney, but was never emplaced.
(Battery Kirby link: www.angelfire.com/ca5/battery/html/kirby.html )
Photo #1: Battery Cheney Gun #2. Note that it is Model 1895, manufactured in 1899 and barrel #12.
As for the 12” barrel near the church, unfortunately it’s number (#16?) cannot be confirmed anymore. The portion of the barrel that was stamped with the number has been below ground for so many years that it has rusted to the point that all lettering is gone forever. From what can still be seen, the barrel has all the same markings as #12 at Battery Cheney. (Model 1895, manufactured in 1899, same arsenal)
Photo #2: 12” gun barrel north of the church taken in February, 2009.
In conclusion, the 12” gun barrel near the church is quite possibly the spare for Battery Cheney but I cannot confirm it.
fots2
Quoted from that website:
The following is information on the Model 1895 # 12 & 16
Emplacement #1 and # 2. The reference height of the crest=35.3 ft above mean low water.
Gun # 1 Model 1895 # 12 was mounted and emplaced October 10 1900, under the supervision of 2nd Lt. H.B. Clarke, Limits of elevation of gun as mounted and emplaced:10.14' elevation; 1.05 depression, and the number of shots fired was 32. Azimuth and Altitude test made by Otto Von Gildeen, January 2nd and 8th 1901. This gun was dismounted Sept 21 1933 and sent to Fort Scott and then on Sept 27 1933 on orders # E-4174, from the Chief of Ordnance was shipped on the Ludington to H.D Manila and Subic Bay. This gun was emplaced in Battery Cheney on Corregidor.
Gun # 2 Model 1895 # 16 was mounted and emplaced September 20 1900, under the supervision of 2nd Lt H.B. Clarke, Limits of elevation of gun as mounted and emplaced:10.12' elevation; 1.11 depression, and the number of shots fired was 31. Azimuth and Altitude test made by Otto Von Gildeen, January 2nd and 8th 1901. This gun was dismounted in the early part of 1941, and sent to HD Manila and Subic Bay, and was a spare for Battery Cheney, but was never emplaced.
(Battery Kirby link: www.angelfire.com/ca5/battery/html/kirby.html )
Photo #1: Battery Cheney Gun #2. Note that it is Model 1895, manufactured in 1899 and barrel #12.
As for the 12” barrel near the church, unfortunately it’s number (#16?) cannot be confirmed anymore. The portion of the barrel that was stamped with the number has been below ground for so many years that it has rusted to the point that all lettering is gone forever. From what can still be seen, the barrel has all the same markings as #12 at Battery Cheney. (Model 1895, manufactured in 1899, same arsenal)
Photo #2: 12” gun barrel north of the church taken in February, 2009.
In conclusion, the 12” gun barrel near the church is quite possibly the spare for Battery Cheney but I cannot confirm it.
fots2