Battery Ferguson

Battery Ferguson (1906-1947) - Battery Ferguson was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Levett, Cushing's Island, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Major William Ferguson, U.S. Artillery, who was killed 4 Nov 1791, in action with Indians near the site of Fort Recovery (1), Ohio. Battery construction was completed and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 22 Jun 1906 at a cost of $ 58,500.00. Deactivated in 1947. Battery Bowdoin Upper Left, Batteries Kendrick and Ferguson Lower Right, Battery Daniels Upper Right. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Pedestal 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 Hodges back delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant. Battery Ferguson Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 6" Rifle 310.4" M1900 7 Watervliet M1900, M1900, #5, Watertown 1906-1947 See note 1 2 6" Rifle 310.4" M1900 16 Watervliet M1900, M1900, #6, Watertown 1906-1947 See note 1 Source: RCB, 31 Dec 1916, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 96-97 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Ferguson 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 Ferguson were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. World War II (1941-1945) Battery Ferguson was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portland plan throughout World War II. The battery was deactivated in 1947. Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Levett, Cushing's Island, Cumberland County, Maine Maps & Images Lat: 43.638387 Long: -70.202621 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 112.287', Gun #2= 112.245 Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Portland, Maine, (HDPB-AN-45), 11 Apr 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: No