Battery Chamberlain

Elite '09

83

333

Scott S.

San Francisco, CA

12/2/2007

Sometimes it pays to act on a whim.  

I was driving in the Presidio and saw a sign for the Battery Chamberlain museum.  I drove on by and then turned back to check it out.  

Bella W.'s excellent review gives you a lot detail.  To build upon it, on the Sunday of the first month, World War II reenactors staff Battery Chamberlain.  It's a bit odd to see men in these old uniforms along with other artifacts.  They are quite friendly, and full of information.   One of them told me that they visit a school in Walnut Creek to give the students a "living history experience that assaults the senses" as they engage the students in touch, smell, sight, hearing and even taste.  You can also get a semi-assault on the senses there.  I didn't get to taste anything, but I did get to see, touch, and hear.  

You'll also get some of the best views of the SF Bay at the Battery.  Near by are picnic areas, so pack a lunch and make a trip on the first Sunday to experience a unique and very interesting part of San Francisco's history.

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637

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Bella W.

San Francisco, CA

2/12/2007 4 photos

Situated at the North end of Baker Beach, Battery Chamberlain is an AWESOME place to learn about San Francisco's defensive role in World War I & II. I had the chance to share my hometown history with a few non- Native Yelpers, Alex L., Rose G., and Danny H.  As we were exploring the massive gun posts, a very enthusiastic Park Ranger let us partake in the lowering and firing of the massive gun. My arms got quite a work out since, this involved quite a bit of cranking of this 50-ton, YES- TON,  riffle and its disappearing carriage.

It took about 15+  steps to fire this massive rifle and as a group gathered around us- we did most of the "heavy- lifting"/hard work, the Park Ranger assigned various jobs, positions, and rank to the rest of the crowd. As we reenacted the lowering (which Alex, Rose, Danny and I had already done), loading, and firing of the rifle, we were reminded of the precision and meticulousness that was needed to fire and hit the target. This of course, was quite a feat back in the day, b/c of the non-usage of any modern technology.

Originally built in 1904 to protect the coasts off of The SF Bay, the original guns were dismounted in 1917 for use in World War I and shipped to various locations throughout the Nation.  The guns made their way back, during World War II, and were placed under camouflage netting to hide them from potential air attack.  These guns had a range of 9 miles and could fire at the rate of two rounds per minute.

In 1977, the National Park Service received a 6-inch gun and disappearing carriage from the Smithsonian Institution. Demonstrations of this 50-ton rifle, similar to the original armament, are conducted on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month from 11 am until 3 p.m.

This is definitely a hidden gem for war buffs and an even more precious stone in San Francisco history!

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