Pennsville in Pennsville Township in Salem County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Observation Towers
Fort Mott State Park
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 6, 2015
1. Observation Towers Marker
Fifty-two feet above the ground, soldiers in this observational tower were able to identify an enemy vessel, calculate its speed and distance, note weather conditions and communicate this information to the main plotting room and the ten-inch guns at Battery Harker. Soldiers at the gun batterys used this information to compensate for weather, set the firing range and direction and potentially fire at an unsuspecting vessel.
This tower was completed in 1903. It has two levels: an observation room and meteorological station on the glass-topped upper level, and a target plotting room below, from critical data would be relayed to soldiers aiming the big guns.
Vibration Dampening Device
When the big guns were fired, vibrations similar to a small earthquake affected the delicate instrumentation contained with the observation towers. Soldiers had to continuously adjust their instruments to make accurate readings. To solve this problem Army engineers designed a concrete-filled tube below the tower and attached it between the instrument platform and the ground. The tube was then encased in a steel jacket. It served as
this page online
[Captions:]
Fort Mott Range Finder. This two-story observation tower helped soldiers detect enemy vessels traveling on the Delaware River and relay their course to the gun crews.
If you look across the moat toward the river, you will see the second tower. This fifty-five foot high tower has a single observation level for taking accurate sights on enemy targets. Its primary function was to obtain target information for the twelve-inch guns of Battery Arnold.
Erected by New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Spanish-American. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 39° 36.257′ N, 75° 33.027′ W. Marker is in Pennsville Township, New Jersey, in Salem County. It is in Pennsville. It is on Fort Mott Road. The marker is located on the grounds of Fort Mott State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 454 Fort Mott Rd, Pennsville NJ 08070, United States of America.
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 6, 2015
2. Observation Towers
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington, in South Jersey, and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Moat and the Parados (a few steps from this marker); Officer's Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Parade Ground (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gun platform features (about 300 feet away); Battery Harker (about 300 feet away); Means of Communication (about 300 feet away); Battery Gregg (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pennsville Township.
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 6, 2015
3. Sign at the entrance to the Park
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 456 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
