Fort Morgan, Endicott Era


Fort Morgan was also the site for later fortification, which added to the original fort, which was by then obselete. These gun emplacements were built in the late 1890's and early 1900's at the direction of a fortification board headed the William C. Endicott, who was the Secretary of War during the mid 1880's.


Battery Duportail mounted two 12-inch disappearing guns, which were state of the art at that time. They were mounted on the second level of the concrete structure, with the magazines for powder and shell underneath. For a look at a surviving disappearing gun, see the pictures of Battery Cooper at Fort Pickens.
Battery Thomas was another of the Endicott gun batteries. It mounted 4.7-inch quick-firing guns, which protected a minefield, which would be planted in the event of war, from being removed by enemy minesweepers. It is located along the glacis of the original fort.
Battery Schenck mounted 3 rapid-fire 3-inch guns (only two mounts shown). These guns had the same job as Battery Thomas, defense against minesweepers.
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