Battery Edwards

Battery Edwards (1902-1920) - Battery Edwards was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Mott, New Jersey. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Capt. Robert Edwards, 17th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 22 Jan 1813, in action at Frenchtown, Michigan. Battery construction started on 25 Mar 1901, was completed on 27 Jul 1901 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 16 Jan 1902 at a cost of $ 5,841.11. Deactivated in 1920. Fort Mott, Battery Edwards Gun Emplacement #1 Casemate Entrance Fort Mott, Battery Edwards Gun Emplacement #2 Casemate Entrance Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1900MI guns mounted on M1902 Masking Parapet mounts. This battery was built into the casemates of an 1870 battery and the carriages were modified for that configuration. Battery Edwards Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 62 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #62, Driggs-Seabury 1902-1920 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 63 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #63, Driggs-Seabury 1902-1920 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Sep 1922, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 70-71, 208. Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 18 Oct 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Edwards 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 gun tubes of Battery Edwards were not affected by the World War I redistribution but were affected by the 1920 disarmament program. On 27 Mar 1920 the guns were ordered removed and the carriages ordered salvaged. On 18 Oct 1920 both guns were transferred to Watervliet Arsenal. The fate of the carriages is less certain but it can be assumed that they were salvaged in 1920. Current Status Part of Fort Mott State Park. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Mott, Salem County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 39.604297 Long: -75.554129 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=17.625', Gun #2=23.979' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: 6 Aug 2010