Battery Gaston

Battery Gaston (1902-1920) - Battery Gaston was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Rodman, Bristol County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 2nd Lt. William Gaston (Cullum 1737), 1st. U.S. Dragoons, who was killed 17 May 1858, in action with Spokane Indians at Snake River, Washington Territory. Battery construction was completed and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 29 Dec 1902 at a cost of $ 9,150. Deactivated in 1920. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of New Bedford. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898 guns mounted on M1898MI Masking parapet 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 hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Battery Gaston Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes ? 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 83 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #83, Driggs-Seabury 1902-1920 See note 1 ? 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 84 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #84, Driggs-Seabury 1902-1920 See note 1 Source: 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, 204 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet Arsenal 15 Jul 1920, mounts ordered scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA 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 Gaston were not affected by the World War I redistribution but the following 1920 disarmament program caused the battery to be deactivated. The guns were transferred back to Watervliet Arsenal on 15 Jul 1920 and the mounts were ordered scrapped on 26 May 1920. Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Rodman, Bristol County, Massachusetts Maps & Images Lat: 41.593583 Long: -70.90099 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: ' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: No