May 19, 2014

observation post at Battery Mendell -- Point Bonita


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

All is currently quiet on the western front, and only Seaside daisies--and maybe a bit of radar--stand guard.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

These are remains of the observation post near Battery Mendell at Point Bonita. Not far below were two large anti-aircraft guns, part of the harbor defenses of San Francisco Bay charged with defending the area from enemy attack. Also rather critical was determining friend from foe.

By the early part of the 20th century the U.S. Army built Battery Mendell and four other batteries nearby at Fort Barry in the Marin Headlands. Mendell, which was completed in 1906, was outfitted with a pair of 12-inch guns on a "disappearing carriage". When the guns were ready to fire, they could pop up into position, fire a single shot, and then recoil down and out of sight for reloading. As I mentioned the other day--a shot was never fired.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit - the book       


1 comment:

GreenComotion said...

I am reminded of "The Guns of Navarone". I like the graffiti by the way. It is charming.

Peace :)

 
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