Near Gulf Shores in Baldwin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Panama Mount
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
1. Panama Mount Marker
After World War I, the versatile M1918M1 gun and its M1918A1 carriage were adapted for coast defense. Although the gun could be traversed over a wider range than other large guns of the period, it was still unable to adequately track moving targets. This deficiency was rectified by the development during the 1920s of circular concrete gun emplacements in the Panama Canal Zone.
When emplaced on these simple, inexpensive, Panama mounts, the 155mm GPF was an effective alternative to older more complex coast defense weapons emplaced in large concrete batteries such as Battery Duportails 12-inch “Disappearing Rifles.”
During World War II, two Battery F, 50th Coast Artillerys 155mm GPFs were mounted on two Panama mounts that were constructed on top of Fort Morgan. The emplacement located on Bastion #4 is the last Panama mount at Fort Morgan.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 30° 13.685′ N, 88° 1.406′ W. Marker is near Gulf Shores, Alabama, in Baldwin County. It can be reached from Fort Morgan Road (Alabama Route 180) 1.7 miles west of Dune Drive (Route 180). Located in Fort Morgan State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 51 Highway 180 West, Gulf Shores AL 36542, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Gulf Coast and in Mobile Bay. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers.
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More about this marker. This marker is within the walls of historic Fort Morgan. The marker can be found on the top level, west side of Battery Duportail.
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
2. This Marker along with a group of markers located on the top right side of Battery Duportail
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
3. Panama Mount Marker Next To Bastion #4
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
4. A 155mm GPF mounted on Panama Mount. (National Museum of World War II, New Orleans)
Photographed by Google Earth, October 2, 2013
5. Overhead view of the remains of the Panama Mount on Bastion #4
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
6. U.S. Model 1918M1 155mm Gun "G.P.F." on display at Fort Morgan
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7. 12-inch gun M1895 on a disappearing carriage.
Two, 12-inch guns similar to this one were installed and in service at Battery Duportail from 1900 until the fort was deactivated in 1924.
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
8. Battery Duportail's west 12-inch gun pit.
After the deactivation of Fort Morgan in 1924, the military turned the installation over to the State of Alabama. During the 1930's prior to World War II, the State began to develop the reservation into a military history park. Battery Duportail's two 12-inch guns were available for the public to view. The guns' public display ended in 1942 when they were scrapped for the war effort.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2013, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,033 times since then and 83 times this year. Last updated on March 21, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 2, 2013, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
