Battery Thomson, Artillery battery at Sullivan's Island, United States
Battery Thomson is a concrete fortification on Sullivan's Island that was built as a coastal defense installation to protect Charleston Harbor. The structure features recessed gun platforms, ammunition hoisting systems, an observation post, and thick concrete walls designed to support heavy artillery operations.
Construction of the battery took place between 1906 and 1909 under Captain G.P. Howell's direction as part of harbor defense improvements. The installation was decommissioned in 1947, marking the end of its operational role in coastal protection.
The site reflects early 20th century military design and was part of a coastal defense system protecting Charleston Harbor. Visitors can explore the solid concrete structure and understand how harbor protection worked during that era.
The site sits on Sullivan's Island near the Charleston Harbor entrance and is relatively accessible to visit. Keep in mind that some concrete structures are exposed to the elements and access to certain areas may be restricted.
The guns were designed to sink back into the concrete for protection, representing innovative defense technology for its time. This disappearing gun system was a hallmark of coastal fortifications in the early 1900s.
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