Battery 519 - Cape Henlopen, Delaware
Posted by: ted28285
N 38° 46.640 W 075° 05.224
18S E 492437 N 4292071
This concrete bunker once held two 12" guns that protected the Delaware Bay form the threat of a German invasion.
Waymark Code: WM1503W
Location: Delaware, United States
Date Posted: 09/21/2021
Views: 2
The area once was the home to Fort Miles is now a Delaware State Park. Many of the guns and turret pads are still in place for show. The Bunker at Battery 519 has had the front portal reduced to a doorway and as far as I know the gun has been removed.
"Originally built as a World War II casemated concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895M1 guns mounted on M1917 Barbette carriages. This battery was constructed in place of the 16" Battery 119 after that battery was canceled in late 1942. The guns and carriages were formally transferred from Fort Saulsbury, Battery Haslet in July 1944 and that battery was closed. There are indications that the guns and mounts were physically moved and mounted in 1943 (RCW 1 May 1944) and that they were upgraded to 440 volt AC power equipment and power rammers by 1946. In 1948 the battery was declared surplus and the guns were sold as scrap." Link