Battery Connell

Battery Connell (1901-1917) - Battery Connell was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 5 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Mansfield (1), Washington County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after Capt. James W. Connell, 9th U.S. Infantry, who was killed in the massacre at Balangiga, Island of Samar, Philippine Archipelago, on 28 Sep 1901. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 18 Feb 1901 at a cost of $ 14,000. Deactivated in 1917. Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 5" M1900 guns mounted on M1903 Pedestal carriages. This is a two level battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines below. No shell or powder hoists provided. Electrical power provided by emplacement power plant in Battery Wooster. Battery Connell Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 5" Rifle 258.5" M1900 4 Watervliet Pedestal, M1903, #5, Watertown 1901-1917 See note 1 2 5" Rifle 258.5" M1900 6 Watervliet Pedestal, M1903, #6, Watertown 1901-1917 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 15 Nov 1921, 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 90-91, 205 Note 1: Guns to Fort H.G. Wright in 1917, carriages ordered scrapped 13 Dec 1920.CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Connell 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 from Battery Connell were removed to Fort H.G. Wright in 1917 and the carriages were ordered scrapped 13 Dec 1920. Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. The battery structure is in the surf. Location: Napatree Point, Washington County, Rhode Island Maps & Images Lat: 41.308197 Long: -71.877923 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 21.35' Sources: Links: Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library Visited: No