Battery Bradford

Battery Bradford (1901-1944) - Battery Bradford was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Terry, Plum Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after Capt. James Bradford, U.S. Artillery, who was killed on 4 Nov 1791, in action with hostile Indians at Fort Recovery (1), Ohio. Battery construction started 1 Jul 1898, was completed in October 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 4 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ $ 50,000.00. Deactivated in 1944. Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1897MI guns mounted on M1898 Disappearing carriages. This was a two-story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two electric Hodges back delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists provided. The hoists were removed in 1915. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Stoneman. In 1914 a BC station and plotting room were added to the traverse of Battery Bradford. The BC station was on top of the traverse and the plotting room was built into an existing room below. The modification was accepted for service on 20 Mar 1914 at a cost of $ 1,395.26. Battery Bradford Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 6" Rifle 277.85" M1897MI 23 Watervliet Disappearing, M1898, #14, Watertown 1901-1944 See note 1 2 6" Rifle 277.85" M1897MI 29 Watervliet Disappearing, M1898, #13, Watertown 1901-1944 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Nov 1926, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 94-95, 206 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Bradford Plan World War I 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 Bradford were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. World War II All guns and carriages reported as being salvaged on 20 Jun 1944. Current Status Now on Plum Island, Animal Disease Center (PIADC) operated by U.S. DHS. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Plum Island, Suffolk County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 41.189423 Long: -72.1636 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 69.65' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Long Island Sound, (HDLIS-AN-45), 15 Feb 1945, CDSG Links: Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library Visited: No