Fire Control Towers (FCT's) were constructed along the coasts of Delaware and New Jersey to serve as the "eyes" of Fort Miles which was part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware during WWII.
The FCT's were equipped with Azimuth Scope's (M1910A1) used to determine the range from a baseline (created by two FCT's). An additional scope in the tower would plot splashes from missed shots and give corrected azimuth and range information so adjustments could be made.
A time interval bell would ring every 15 to 30 seconds (depending on the battery reload times) at which time a new reading would be taken by the FCT crews. This would allow the plotting rooms to track and triangulate a target's course and to better direct fire.
Fire Control Tower 25
Battery Smith B 7|2
Battery 519 B 7|3
Battery 223 B 3|6
Battery 7 B 3|7
Wildwood Crest
Tactical Location #20 - Tower #25
Sighting Range: 35,000 yards
Constructed Height: 50.9 feet
Height Above Ground: 39.9 feet
Tower Elevation: 50.10
Observation Levels: 2 Slots: 3
Slot Elevations: 47.67|46.0 / 38.0
Instruments: 6 - M1910 Azimuth Scopes
Electric: None Light: Kerosene
Heat: Space Heater (Coal)
Coordinates:
(18N, x 825,243.49 E, y 1,815,274.67 N)
(38.964137000104, -74.843387000020)
Area: Searchlight No. 16 / 17
Fort Miles was a military WWII coast artillery harbor defense fort located on Cape Henlopen near Lewes, Delaware. The Fort Miles Historical Area (now part of the Cape Henlopen state park) was part of the WWII Harbor Defense of the Delaware defense system which protected the entry into the Delaware Bay.
Fort Miles was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 2005.
#Army #Artillery #Azimuth #Azimuth_Scope #Battery #Battery_519 #Bunker #Cantonment #Casemate #Coast_Artillery #FCT #Fire_Control_Tower #FMHA #Fort #Fort_Miles #HDD #lookout_tower #M1910 #M1910A1 #Military #Observation_tower #Scope #Tower #watch_tower #WW2 #WWII
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