Although never officially given names, the new works at Fort Point quickly became known as East and West batteries. In 1872 work began on several gun positions behind the fort and the western parapets. By 1873 West Battery was essentially completed; twelve 15-inch Rodmans had been moved from the ordinance yard to the rear of their emplacements. Also, a ramp and a covered path had been built to connect batteries East and West. In an armament report dated October, 6, 1873, seven 15-inch guns had been mounted at West Battery. A year later West Battery was reported to have 12 guns mounted.1

Battery East overlooking Angel Island around 1900.

Construction on East Battery began in 1873. By the end of that year most of the parapet had been built, as well as parts of the magazines and traverses. Appropriations for East Battery were soon curtailed, and by June of 1876, construction came to a halt with the battery still incomplete.1

Battery East gun emplacement today.

Upon the construction of the Endicott period batteries in the 1890s, West Battery was almost completely destroyed. Only six earthen traverses and their magazines survive at East Battery, noe known as Battery East, and four of those were greatly modified when they were incorporated into the Endicott batteries.1

Powder magazine at West Battery, now known as Battery West.
The concrete structure at the right is part of Endicott period Battery Godfrey.

1. Thompson, Erwin N. Historic Resource Study: Seacoast Fortifications, San Francisco Harbor. California: GGNRA, 1979.