Existing comment:
Harbor Defense 1898-1939
Batteries Bingham and McCorkle
These two rapid-fire batteries are part of the Endicott installations that protected Charleston from the Spanish American War until World War II began. The Endicott System combined heavy coast artillery, minefields, and rapid-fire guns into an integrated defense. You will see a major Endicott battery further along the tour at Battery Jasper.
15-Pounder Rapid-Fire gun in Battery McCorkle.
Gunners aimed the rapid-fire guns directly, with open sights or telescopic sights.
The fifteen-pounder rapid-fire gun is mounted on a balanced pillar mount so it can be lowered when not in use.
4.7-inch Armstrong gun in Battery Bingham.
These guns were bought from Great Britain to meet the Spanish American War crisis.
Both guns fired fixed ammunition like big rifle cartridges. Principal targets would have been minesweepers, torpedo-boats, and small warships. |