Can you imagine the roar of four eight-inch guns? Right here at Battery Brumby you stand on ground that witnessed history. Battery Brumby is the first of six gun emplacements at Fort Screven. It was erected by the Venerable Construction Company around 1897-1898. This wasn’t just any battery. It was the first to be completed. It played a key role in America’s coastal defense. The Spanish-American War loomed large. Battery Brumby was ready for action. Its four guns could launch 200-pound shells over eight miles. Think of the power. The precision. The impact.
The guns remained in place until 1917. They were later removed and melted down. But Battery Brumby’s story doesn’t end there. The concrete structure remains a testament to the past. It’s a part of Fort Screven a larger complex on Tybee Island. Fort Screven’s history stretches back to 1786 when the Georgia Legislature dreamed of a fort. This fort was to honor General James Screven a Revolutionary War hero. The state never built it. But the federal government took over in 1808.
Fast forward to 1855. The government finally approved the construction of Fort Screven. This included Battery Brumby and five other batteries. They were low-profile poured concrete gun emplacements. A minefield was also part of the defense. Hundreds of buildings were constructed. The fort served as a crucial part of America’s coastal defense system from 1897 to 1947. Troops stood guard throughout the Spanish-American War World War I and World War II.
Today as you explore Battery Brumby you can picture those soldiers. Imagine the weight of responsibility they carried. The constant watch for enemies. The anticipation. The quiet moments punctuated by sudden alarms. Battery Brumby is more than just concrete and steel. It is a tangible link to a pivotal era in American history. A place where the echoes of cannon fire still seem to linger in the sea breeze.
The left gun emplacement is now a private residence. The right one houses the Tybee Island Shrine Club. Magazines and service rooms are open to the rear. Heavy wooden doors once secured these areas. Additional iron gates allowed ventilation. The gun platform above displays early innovations. Cast-in steps lead to the loading platform. This platform provided access to magazine hoists. There were two types of hoists: the balanced platform hoist and the more advanced Taylor-Raymond Hoist. The concrete splinter shield above added another layer of protection. Battery Brumby stands as a symbol of America’s determination to defend its shores. It’s a silent guardian a powerful reminder of the past and a compelling addition to your Savannah experience.