File:Firing-Switches.jpg

Summary
This photo, taken in 2010, shows a switchbox containing the firing circuit switches for the mortars of Pit B, Battery Whitman, Ft. Andrews, Boston, MA. The photo looks toward the northwesterly wall of the pit. Also visible (to the left of and somewhat lower than the switchbox) is the mounting bracket (or "shoe") that used to hold the firing magneto that generated the firing current for the mortars. These items are located just outside the armored door of the data booth (just around the corner, but not visible here), which is built into the wall of the mortar pit.

Only two of the four circuit switches appear to be connected to cables leading to the pit, which could indicate that only two of the four firing positions in the pit were actually occupied by mortars. This would be the case if the number of tubes had been reduced, in order to make the mortars easier to serve and/or to send mortars away to equip batteries at other forts.

The pit is slowly being overrun by intrusive vines and undergrowth, visible in the image.