Battery Baker

Battery Baker (1900-1920, 1904-1945) - Battery Baker was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Totten (3), New York. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 1st Lt. William L. Baker, 4th U.S. Artillery, who was killed 17 Sep 1862 at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, during the U.S. Civil War. Construction on the first two emplacements started about 1897, was completed 6 Aug 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 6 Aug 1900. The second two emplacements were transferred for service 5 May 1904. The total cost of the battery was $ 18,150.00. Deactivated in 1945. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Eastern New York. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902MI guns mounted on M1902 Barbette carriages and two 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898 masking parapet carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and a magazine for each emplacement located on the lower level. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Battery Baker Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 60 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #60, Bethlehem 1904-1945 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 59 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #59, Bethlehem 1904-1945 See note 1 3 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 29 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #29, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 See note 2 4 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 28 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #28, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 See note 2 Source: RCW Form 1, 15 Apr 1920, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 71-73, 206. Note 1: Guns and carriages processed for salvage 18 Oct 1954, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns transferred to Watervliet 1 Sep 1920, carriages ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Baker Plan World War I (1917-1918) The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Baker were not affected by the World War I redistribution but the two M1898MI guns were removed during the 1920 disarmament program and the carriages were scrapped. World War II (1941-1945) The two remaining M1902MI guns and carriages were salvaged 18 Oct 1945, at the end of World War II. Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Totten (3), Queens County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 40.795837 Long: -73.779899 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Guns #1 & #2=28.84', Guns #3 & 4=28.62' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: 21 Aug 2010