Battery DeHart

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Battery DeHart (1898-1942) - Battery DeHart was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10‑inch coastal gun battery on Fort Williams (1), Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Captain Henry V. DeHart (Cullum 1715), 5th U.S. Artillery, who died 13 Jul 1862, of wounds received at the battle of Gaines' Mill, Virginia, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1893, was completed in 1898 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 8 Jun 1898 at a cost of $ 106,757.08. Deactivated in 1942. Assigned Location ID ME00073.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with one 10" M1888MI gun and one 10" M1888MII gun, both mounted on M1894MI Disappearing carriages. This was a two-story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two back delivery Taylor-Raymond shell hoists. Gun #1 shell hoist accepted for service 22 Dec 1903. Gun # 2 shell hoist accepted for service 23 Aug 1907. Gun #2 Type C powder hoist accepted 14 Oct 1912. Both Disappearing carriages were equipped with electric retraction motors. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.

Battery DeHart Armament (edit list)
Empl
No
Caliber
Type
Barrel
Length
Model Serial
No
Manufacturer Carriage Service
Dates
Notes
1 10" Rifle 340" M1888MI 32 Watervliet Disappearing, M1894MI, #9, Kilby 1898-1942 See note 1
2 10" Rifle 367.25" M1888MII 47 Watervliet Disappearing, M1894MI, #18, Pond 1898-1942 See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 31 May 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 122-123
Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered salvaged 15 Dec 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA
Battery DeHart 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. Battery Dehart's guns were listed to be dismounted for service abroad but were ordered remounted before they could be shipped.

World War II (1941-1945)

Battery DeHart was obsolete at the beginning of World War II. The guns and carriages were ordered salvaged on 15 Dec 1942.

Current Status

Part of Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place.


Location: Part of Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine.

Maps & Images

Lat: 43.623359 Long: -70.209621

  • Multi Maps from ACME
  • Maps from Bing
  • Maps from Google
  • Elevation: Gun #1= 72.286', Gun #2= 70.964'

Sources:

  • U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Portland, Maine, (HDPB-AN-45), 11 Apr 1945, CDSG

Links:

Visited: No



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