Sullivans Island in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
America Responds To A New Challenge
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 3, 2013
1. America Responds To A New Challenge Marker
The growth of powerful iron navies during the 1890’s prompted the United States to build hundreds of new anti-battleship batteries such as this, which mounted four 10-inch guns.
Each shell, weighing as much as 617 pounds, had a range of nearly 8.5 miles (14,700 yds. or 13,436 M.) and was capable of penetrating 20 inches of armor at close range. A well-trained gun crew could fire at the rate of 1½ times a minute. This rate of fire was made possible by the use of the disappearing carriage, which employed the energy of its recoil to lower the gun behind the fortification. Counterweights raised the gun for the next round.
These 82,000 pound giants remained on active duty from 1898 to 1943.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 32° 45.517′ N, 79° 51.346′ W. Marker is on Sullivans Island, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker can be reached from Poe Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at Fort Moultrie National Monument. 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. Why is it Black? (here, next to this marker); A Forgotten Branch Of The Service . . . The U.S. Army Coast Artillery (here, next to this marker); Disappearing Rifle: The Endicott System
this page online
More about this marker. A picture of a 10-inch gun that was placed at this battery appears at the top of the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 3, 2013
2. America Responds To A New Challenge Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 3, 2013
3. America Responds To A New Challenge Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 3, 2013
4. America Responds To A New Challenge Marker
The marker is visible on the right of the gun mount.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 3, 2013
5. Gun Mount
One of the 10-inch guns were mounted at this location.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 3, 2013
6. Battery Jasper
The marker is located at Battery Jasper, an Endicott System battery that operated between 1898 through 1943.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 22, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
