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Image / Fort MacArthur, view 1

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Title
Fort MacArthur, view 1
Alternative Title
Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection
Contributing Institution
Los Angeles Public Library
Collection
Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection
Rights Information
Images available for reproduction and use. Please see the Ordering & Use page at http://tessa.lapl.org/OrderingUse.html for additional information.
Description
Frontal view of Battery Erwin, a large railway mounted gun, on display at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. Battery Erwin included the longest ranging artillery pieces at Fort MacArthur prior to World War Two and were designed to shoot a 1,450 pound shell up to 27 miles. The railway mounted guns could turn 360 degrees and fire in any direction. The advantage of the track mount limited the guns to a 7 degree traverse, which prevented the recoil force from exerting too much pressure on the tracks, possibly leaving the guns stranded. Both of Battery Erwin's guns remained active throughout WWII, but were declared surplus at the war's end and cut up for scrap. Fort MacArthur was formally created on October 31, 1914, named in honor of Lt. Gen. Arthur MacArthur, father of Douglas MacArthur. It was a training center during World War I, and the first large gun batteries for harbor defense were installed in 1917.
Type
image
Format
1 photograph :b&w
Photographic prints
Identifier
00073770
Security Pacific National Bank Collection
Fort MacArthur; S-000-803.1 4x5
CARL0000076726
http://173.196.26.125/cdm/ref/collection/photos/id/114932
Subject
United States.--Army
Artillery--California--Los Angeles
Railway artillery--California--Los Angeles
Military bases--California--Los Angeles
Military training camps--California--Los Angeles
Fort MacArthur (Calif.)
San Pedro (Los Angeles, Calif.)

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