CABRILLO The Guns of San Diego Historic Resource Study

1. Thompson, Seacoast Fortifications, San Francisco, p. 115.

2. Lewis, Seacoast Fortifications, pp. 75-77; Edwin C. Bearss, Historic Structure Report, Fort Point, Historic Data Section, Fort Point National Historic Site, California (Denver: National Park Service, 1973), pp. 285-287.

3. Board on Fortifications, Miscellaneous Papers, 1885-1887, OCE, RG 77, NA; Board of Engineers, New York, January 16, 1895, to Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Casey, File LA 660.2, Box 0-3852, HDSD, LAD, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region. Another list drawn up at this time placed San Diego 21st of 27 ports. Callaghan, "Fort Rosecrans," p. 22.

4. Ranson, "The Endicott Board of 1885-86," Military Affairs 31:77-78; Russell F. Weigley, History of the United States Army (New York: Macmillan, 1967), p. 283.

5. Board of Engineers, New York, January 16, 1895, to Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Casey, File LA 660.2, Box 0-3852, HDSD, LAD, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region. The 8-inch converted rifle was the 10-inch Rodman smoothbore with an inserted, rifled 8-inch sleeve.

6. Acting Secretary of War L.A. Grant, December 19, 1891, "Post and Harbor Defenses, Near San Diego," Document No. 14, House of Representatives, 1st sess., 52nd Congress.

7. Board of Officers, New York, January 16, 1895, to Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Casey, File LA 660.2, Box 0-3852, HDSD, LAD, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region.

8. Until the end of 1898 Meyler reported to the Pacific Division Engineer in San Francisco. On December 31 the Los Angeles District Engineer Office was established to oversee military construction and civil works in Southern California.

9. Col. Charles R. Suter, November 4, 1897, to Brig. Gen. John M. Wilson, Ch. of Engineers, File LA 660.2, Box 0-3852, HDSD, LAD, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region. 1st. Lt. Meyler oversaw construction of the first four batteries, but unexpectedly died in December 1901, still a young man. Heitman, Historical Register, 1:707.

10. Col. G. L. Gillespie, Board of Engineers, New York, December 1, 1897, to Brig. Gen. John M. Wilson, Ch. of Engineers, File 660.2, Box 0-3852, HDSD, LAD, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region. Besides "The Island," the Army also called its western end Zuniga Shoal, North Island, and Fort Pio Pico, this last in honor of the last Mexican governor of California.

11. Reports of the War Department, 1899, Engineers, Part 1, House Documents, vol. 8, no 2, 56th Congress, 1st sess., 1899-1900; George Ruhlen, "Fort Rosecrans, California," The Western Explorer 2 (February 1962) 3; Ronald V May, "The Guns of Point Loma: America's First Sea Coast Artillery Defense in San Diego," in Cabrillo Festival Historic Seminar, The Military on Point Loma (Cabrillo Historical Association, 1985), p. 24; Heitman, Historical Register, 1:274 and 1036; Callaghan, "Fort Rosecrans," pp. 34-53; Batteries Wilkeson and Calef, F16, Box 26, Civil Works Projects, 1899-1935, OCE, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region.

12. Ruhlen, "Fort Rosecrans," Western Explorer 2:5; Callaghan, "Fort Rosecrans,"pp. 42, 56, and 65; Heitman, Historical Register 1:418, 667, and 7Ol; Thompson, Seacoast Fortifications, pp. 165-166. Fort Pio Pico, established in 1906 and abandoned in 1919, was demolished in 1941 as a result of widening the ship channel.

13. Thompson, Seacoast Fortifications, p. 173, where it is erroneously stated that only San Francisco was mined; Reports of the War Department, 1899, Engineers, Part I, House Documents, vol. 8, no. 2, 56th Congress, 1st sess., 1899-1900, p. 34. The mining casemate was demolished in 1988 to make space available for bachelor quarters on the Naval Submarine Base.

14. Capt. James J. Meyler, CE, April 27, 1901, to Brig. Gen. John M. Wilson, Ch. of Engineers, Box 15, San Diego Coast Defense, Records of U.S. Army Commands,, RG 392, NA; Callaghan, "Fort Rosecrans," p. 40. The guns probably came from San Diego Barracks which had two field guns in the 1890s. Meyler became a captain in July 1898.

15. Post Returns, San Diego Barracks, February 1898 - July 1900, Roll 1100, Microcopy 617, NA. It is recalled that the 10-inch guns were proof-fired in November 1899.

16. Heitman, Historical Register, 1:846; Robert McHenry, ed., Webster's American Military Biographies (Springfield: G&C Merriam, 1978), pp. 361-362; Callaghan, "Fort Rosecrans," p. 50.

17. Post Returns, San Diego Barracks and Fort Rosecrans, July 1900 - August 1903, Rolls 1100 and 1043, Microcopy 617, NA. The post buildings at Fort Rosecrans, located near Ballast Point, were constructed between 1901 and 1904. Leveling hills and building roads were performed by the firm of Babcock, Goodbody and Roesner. The twenty-five foot road from the northern boundary to Ballast Point was greatly improved at this time. The San Diego Union, September 19, 1902. The army vessels were named for Bvt. Brig. Gen. Rene E. DeRussy who served in the Corps of Engineers constructing fortifications for harbors on both coasts, and Lieutenant George M. Harris who died from wounds suffered in the Modoc War, 1873. Heitman, Historical Register, pp. 369 and 503.

18. Post Returns, Fort Rosecrans, 1903-1907, Roll 1043, Microcopy 617, NA.

19. Post Returns, Fort Rosecrans, 1911-1912, Roll 1043, Microcopy 617, NA; George W. Cullum, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy.... Supplement, Volume 5. 1900-1910, ed. Charles Braden (Saginaw, Michigan: Seemen and Peters, 1910), p. 189; Maj. Gen. George Ruhlen, Texas, December 20, 1987, to writer.

20. Post Returns, Fort Rosecrans, April 1913, Roll 1043, Microcopy 617, NA.

21. Col. William C. Davis, CO, Coast Defenses of San Diego (hereinafter cited as CDSD), March 19, 1915, to CO, PCAD, Box 6, San Diego Coastal Defense, 1910-1917, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA

22. Post Returns, Fort Rosecrans, September 1913, Roll 1043, Microcopy 617, HA; Susan Collins Lehmann, An Embarrassment of Riches, The Administrative History of Cabrillo National Monument (Cabrillo Historical Association, 1987), pp. 20-27. The old lighthouse was to be torn down and the statue was to be placed on the site. The 1/2 acre became Cabrillo National Monument on October 14, 1913.

23. Post Returns, Fort Rosecrans, July 1913, Roll 1034, Microcopy 617, NA.

24. Headquarters, Eastern Department, Governor's Island, New York, Special Orders No. 278, November 30, 1914; Col. William C. Davis, CO, CDSD, March 20, 1914; Davis, March 20, 1915, to CG, Western Department; Carl T. Worst, Panama - California Exposition, January 7; 1915, to Davis; G.A. Davidson, Panama - California Exposition, July 16, 1915, to Davis, all in Box 5, San Diego Coastal Defense, 1910-1917, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA.

25. Richard B. Morris, Encyclopedia of American History, 2 vols. (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1953) 1304-305; Callaghan, "Fort Rosecrans," p. 151.

26. Lewis, Seacoast Fortifications, pp. 89 and 93.

27. The committee consisted of Maj. Gen. John P. Story, Ch. of Artillery; Brig. Gen. Alexander MacKenzie, Ch. of Engineers; Col. Samuel M. Mills, Artillery Corps; Maj. George W. Goethals, CE; and Col. William H. Heuer, Division Engineer, Pacific Division. Post Returns, Fort Rosecrans, September 1905, Roll 1043, Microcopy 617, NA.

28. Stephen R. Van Wormer and Linda Roth, "Guns on Point Loma: A History of Fort Rosecrans and the Defense of San Diego Harbor," in Cabrillo Historical Association, The Military on Point Loma (Cabrillo Historical Association, 1985), p. 6. The searchlight had had its own 10kw direct current set previously.

29. The fort commander was responsible for the condition of the armament, ammunition, etc., and for training and discipline. During action he assigned targets to the fire commanders. His station was a position-finding station that had an unobstructed view of the whole scene of action. He was in direct communication with his fire commanders. A fire commander was responsible to the fort commander. His duties in action were to carry out the orders of the fort commander. He was in direct communication with the fort commander and with each gun group and position finder in his command. His station was a position-finding station that had a clear view of the water area covered by his guns. A fort was organized into one or more fire commands, the size of which was governed by the character of the area to be defended and by the number of guns of one kind that it was possible for one officer to direct in action. Thompson, Seacoast Fortifications, San Francisco, pp. 180-184; Maj. Edward Burr, October 27, 1906, to Ch. of Engineers, Box 22; Col. F.V. Abbot, OCE, November 10, 1906, to Capt. Amos A. Fries, LAD, Box 21; LAD, July 20, 1914, Estimate of Cost of Fire Control Installations at San Diego, Box 22; Col. E. B. Babbitt, Ordnance Department, January 19, 1917, to Ch. of Engineers, Box 21, all in Civil Works Projects, 1899-1935, Records of the Corps of Engineers, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region; Maj. William C. Davis, Fort Rosecrans, June 10, 1913, to CG, PCAD, Box 1, San Diego Coast Defenses, 1910-1917, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA. In this letter, Davis recommended the division of Battery Wilkeson to improve its efficiency. About 1913, the "Artillery District of San Diego" was renamed the "Coast Defenses of San Diego" (CDSD).

30. Brig. Gen. E. Winslow, Ch. of Engineers, 15th Indorsement, October 19, 1918, to Ch. of Coast Artillery, and accompanying papers, File 665 (San Diego), Box 134, OCE, RG 77, WNRC, Suitland; Map, "Location of Fire Control Stations and Searchlights, Fort Pio Pico, September 19, 1918," Drawer 102-33-48, Fortifications File, RG 77, NA. In the fire control stations, azimuth instruments were emplaced on tall posts while depression finding instruments were mounted on flat, octagonal, concrete bases.

31. Col. Edwin Landon, CO, Fort Rosecrans, Certificate of Works received from the Corps of Engineers, January 16, February 24, and November 9, 1920, and May 19, 1921; and Capt. Charles T. Leeds, LAD, August 30, 1918, to Ch. of Engineers, File 665 (San Diego) I Serials 1-90, Box 134, OCE, RG 77, WNRC. About this time the coast artillery wanted electricity installed in the more remote stations, but both the Chiefs of Engineers and Coast Artillery disapproved, saying that oil lanterns were sufficient.

32. Davis, May 22, 1913, to the Adj. General, San Diego Coast Defenses, 1910-1917, Box 1, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA.

33. Maj. "R.R.R.", January 11 and May 25, 1915, to Ch. of Engineers, File LA 660.2, Box 0-3852, HDSD, LAD, RG77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region; W.M. Wright, AG, October 27, 1915, to CG, Western Department, Box 8, San Diego Coastal Defense, 1910-1917, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA.

34. Maj. Charles T. Leeds, LAD, December 2, 1918, to CG, Western Department; and Col. Edwin Landon, Fort Rosecrans, August 19, 1919, Certificates of Works received, both in Box 133, File 662B (San Diego) I, February 1918-December 1938, OCE, RG 77, WNRC; Callaghan, "Fort Rosecrans," p. 125; Heitman, Historical Register, 1:1026 and 1028; Report of Completed Works, Harbor Defenses of San Diego, File 600.914, Box 129, OCE, RG 77, WNRC.

35. Maj. Gen. Peyton C. Marsh, Report of a Board of Officers, April 2, 1918, File 662B (San Diego) I, February 1918-December 1938, Box 133, OCE, RG77, WNRC; Lt. Col. W.F. Hase, Memorandum for the Board, February 4, 1918, F32, Box 31, OCE, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region.

36. Lt. Col. W.F. Hase, Memorandum for the Board, February 4, 1918, F32, Box 31, OCE, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region; and Memorandum for the Board, February 23, 1918, File 662. B (San Diego) I, February 1918-December 1938, Box 13311, OCE, RG 77, WNRC.

37. LAD, July 28, 1917, to CO, Fort Rosecrans; Lt. Col. H.S. Kerrick, CO, Fort Rosecrans, February 6, 1918, to Capt. Leeds, LAD; C.C. Huff, Fort Rosecrans, May 22, 1918 to LAD; "Proposed Radio Station," all in F5R, Box 23, OCE, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region; Col. J. R. Pourie, CO Fort Rosecrans, File 665.4 (San Diego), Box 134, OCE, RG 77, WNRC.

38. Plans and estimates for searchlight installation, Fort Rosecrans, August 23, 1916; Capt. A.H. Aches, Construction Officer, Fort Rosecrans, June 6, 1916, to LAD; and Capt. Charles T. Leeds, LAD; October 4, 1918, to Ch. of Engineers, all in F-7E, Box 23, Civil Works Projects, 1899-1935, LAD, RG 77, NA, Pacific Southwest Region. Maj. Charles T. Leeds, LAD, December 21, 1918, to Ch. of Engineers, File 675.4 (San Diego), Box 134, OCE, RG 77, WNRC. Searchlights 5 and 6 and their powerhouse are within the boundaries of Cabrillo NM. They are HS 5, 7, and 6 respectively.

39. C. F. Fullam, USS Pueblo, January 15, 1917, to Commander, CDSD; Lt. Col. G. T. Patterson, January 18, 1917, to Commander, Reserve Farce, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Box 11, San Diego Coastal Defense, 1910-1917, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA.

40, Joseph Daniel, Sect. of Navy, April 24, 1917, to Sect. of War; R. K. Cravens, AG, October 9, 1917, to CG, South Pacific Coast Artillery District (hereinafter cited as SPCAD), both in Box 12; and Lt. J. E. Lewis, 12th Naval District, July 6, 1917, to CG, SPCAD, Box 15; all in San Diego Coastal Defense, 1910-1917, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA.

41. Lt. Col. P.M. Kessler, CO, Fort Rosecrans, August 31, 1917, to CG Western Department and accompanying papers, Box 12, San Diego Coastal Defense, 1910-1917, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA.

42. Col. P.M. Kessler, December 1, 1917; and Lt. Col. H.S. Kerrick, CO, CDSD, January 17, 1918, both to CO, SPCAD, San Francisco, Box 14, San Diego Coastal Defense, 1910-1917, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA; Ruhlen, "Fort Rosecrans," San Diego Historical Society Quarterly 5:64.

43. Report of conference between commanding officers at Army and Navy Shore Stations, San Diego, June 10, 1918, Box 15, San Diego Coastal Defenses, 1910-1917, U.S. Army Commands, RG 392, NA.