Battery Schenck (1899-1923)

Battery Schenck, named for First Lieutenant William Schenck, who was killed in action during the Philippine Insurrection, was the second rapid fire battery constructed at Fort Morgan. Completed on June 4, 1900, it stood without guns for three years before receiving two Model 1898, 15-pounder Rapid Fire guns in September 1903. A third position was added in 1904, and its Model 1902, 15-pounder Rapid-Fire gun was mounted in December 1906. Facing west, the guns could fire ten rounds a minute and defended the mine field in the bay's shipping channel. The guns were manned by crews from the 170th Coast Artillery Company, whose role in mine operations at Fort Morgan left most of its men available to serve the battery once the mines were in place. In 1920, the U.S. Army declared all Model 1898 15-pounder Rapid-Fire guns obsolete, removed Battery Schenck's two Model 1898 guns during June and July, and scrapped them, while the battery's Model 1902 gun was removed and transferred to Fort Pickens, Florida.

Alabama · United States