Sullivans Island in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Harbor Defense 1898-1939

Batteries Bingham and McCorkle

By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

1. Harbor Defense 1898-1939 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

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.

(other text at bottom is illegible)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Spanish-American • War, World I • War, World II.

Location. 32° 45.553′

By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

2. Harbor Defense 1898-1939 Marker

N, 79° 51.439′ W. Marker is in Sullivans Island, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker can be reached from Middle Street, on the right when traveling east. Located on Battery Bingham, in Fort Moultrie National Monument, stop two of the fort tour. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sullivans Island SC 29482, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Harbor Vigilance (a few steps from this marker); H.L. Hunley Disappears (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hunley Recovery Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Discovering the Hunley (within shouting distance of this marker); Cannon Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Defense of Sullivan's Island (within shouting distance of this marker); 1860 Flanking Caponniere (within shouting distance of this marker); 13-Inch Seacoast Mortar (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sullivans Island.

Battery Bingham (left) and Battery McCorkle (right) image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

3. Battery Bingham (left) and Battery McCorkle (right)

4.7-inch Armstrong Gun at Battery Bingham image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

4. 4.7-inch Armstrong Gun at Battery Bingham

Breech of Armstrong image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

5. Breech of Armstrong

Note the interrupted screw type breech. Markings over the breech are:
Sir W.G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Company
4.7 in. B.L.
Weight 4676 lbs.
1898 No. 12124

3-inch Rapid Fire Gun image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

6. 3-inch Rapid Fire Gun

This particular 3-inch, 15-pounder Model 1911 Rapid Fire gun is a training gun. It has no rifling and was used for crew training only. The real guns used at the battery were generally similar, but of different model numbers.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 890 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.