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Military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harbor Defenses of Chesapeake Bay | |
---|---|
Active | 1897–1950 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Army Coast Artillery Corps |
Type | Coast artillery |
Role | Harbor Defense Command |
Part of |
|
Garrison/HQ | Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia (1896–1950) |
Mascot(s) | Oozlefinch |
Engagements |
The Harbor Defenses of Chesapeake Bay was a United States Army Coast Artillery Corps harbor defense command.[1] It coordinated the coast defenses of the entrance to Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean from 1896 to 1950, beginning with the Endicott program. These included both coast artillery forts and underwater minefields. The immediate area protected included the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, and at least two major shipyards, along with the Norfolk naval base after 1917. The command also guarded the water approaches to Washington, DC and Baltimore.[2][3][4]
It originated circa 1896 as an artillery district and became the Coast Defenses of Chesapeake Bay in 1913, with defenses initially at Fort Monroe on Old Point Comfort in Hampton, Virginia and Fort Wool on Rip Raps Island nearby. In 1922 four of the Coast Artillery's early 16-inch (406 mm) weapons were emplaced at Fort Story on Cape Henry. In 1925 the command was renamed as a Harbor Defense Command. During World War II additional 16-inch (406 mm) gun batteries were added at Fort Story and the new Fort John Custis near Cape Charles. Following World War II, almost all coastal defense guns were scrapped, and the harbor defense commands were disestablished by 1950.[2][3][4][5]